Earlier, we looked at the response in the First District's press to reports of a budget surplus. We found little call for rebates. The most strident was written by Steve Drazkowski, who lost his state senate bid to Steve Murphy. His letter was published in several area papers.
In today's Rochester Post Bulletin, Charles Abendschein responds in Rebates are irresponsible:
Before Steve Drazkowski starts formulating his next campaign strategy, based on piddly rebates to taxpayers, I suggest that he get in his car and make a little drive west to Kenyon.
On the way, he might observe the deplorable condition of Highway 60 from Zumbrota to Kenyon. Checking Highway 57 and Highway 56 would also be a good idea.
When Drazkowski arrives in Kenyon, he should note the patchwork of the city streets. Then I suggest he talk to the mayor and the council about the lack of state funding for maintaining the city's infrastructure. Talk to city employees about how their standard of living measures up to other workers in town. Talk to the city librarian about what cuts in services she has had to make. Look over the old school with the broken windows and graffiti that can't be torn down because of lack of funds.
Go to the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. Talk to administrators and the school board about program and position cuts.
Then go back to city hall and start a conversation about property taxes. After that, go to the Grill. See if anyone there thinks their property taxes can be lowered with a rebate from the state.
Before he leaves for home, Drazkowski should come over to my house, and I'll explain to him how the Republicans have irresponsibly cut taxes to satisfy irresponsible campaign promises.
In another letter, Russell B. Hanson of Pine Island doesn't quite get into the spirit of bipartisan Christmas cheer with his letter Republicans in need of rehabilitation:
Gil Gutknecht, an auctioneer and soon-to-be former congressman, is looking for a new job after having been found too Republican for the 1st District.
In an Associated Press interview, he gives his choice new job as an "optimistic conservative radio show host."
Gutknecht does have the right experience, with 16 years of the auctioneer's obfuscating chant, followed by 24 years of the professional politician's pandering chant.
Optimistic conservatism is what President Bush has practiced with Gutknecht's collusion for the last six years and sounds like "We are winning the war in Iraq."
We need a rehabilitation program for former politicians to teach them how to lead productive lives with real jobs.
Some folks would interpret Mr. Hanson's letter as more evidence that the 2006 election was just an anti-Bush vote. Others suggest that in Minnesota at least, there's more to it, and point to changing sentiments about the role of government--and the need for services so concretely expressed in Mr. Abendschein's letter.
For an interesting discussion of what made Minnesota voters tick in 2006, head on over to this post at minntelect.
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