A Bluestem Prairie

AL area citizens also ticked off by Davis plan to privatize Social Security

Just in from the Walz campaign committee:

Albert Lea Area Citizens Oppose Dr. Brian Davis’ Plan to Gamble Social Security on the Stock Market

( Albert Lea , Minn. ) – In light of recent turmoil in the U.S. stock market, a group of Albert Lea area residents held a press conference today to oppose 1st District Congressional candidate Dr. Brian Davis’ plans to gamble Social Security on the stock market.

“If Brian Davis had his way, Social Security would be gambled away on the stock market,” said Wayne Perleberg, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 160.  “Tim Walz knows that Social Security is too important to put at risk and that’s why I’m supporting him.”

Dr. Davis has routinely expressed support for some privatization of Social Security and has pledged to follow the MN Republican Party platform which promotes privatization of Social Security for Americans of all ages.

Linda Kofstad, a local retiree from Albert Lea, said “I rely on Social Security to help make ends meet. So do tens of millions of all around the country. Seniors shouldn’t have to check to see if the stock market is up or down before they can pay their utility bill.”

“All across southern Minnesota , people are working hard and paying into Social Security,” said Joy Bliss, an employee at a local medical facility. “I can’t believe that Dr. Davis wants to jeopardize a program that’s so important to our seniors and the disabled. The fact that he wants to privatize Social Security in these uncertain times tells me that he’s not suited to be in Congress.”

Davis Said He Supported The Privatization Of Social Security. Davis said, “I do believe that people below a certain age should have the option to invest some of their Social Security in the private market.” [Winona Youth GOP Debate, 2/23/08, full transcription available on request]

Davis Said If You Want to Know Where He Stood on an Issue to Look at the Republican Party Platform. Davis said, “I want to reassure you that I’m a conservative platform republican I will cast those votes and I will advocate on behalf of our causes. I think our Republican Party platform in this state is great. Do you want to know where I stand; you can start with that document.” [Fillmore Co GOP Convention, full transcription available on request]

Republican Party Platform of MN (http://www.mngop.com/Roots/8a6031ab-af02-4ff7-b4375db06581aaea/Documents/2008%20RPM%20Platform.pdf)  Republican Party Platform Section 1, Letter P (Page 2): Allowing all Americans to invest some or all of their Social Security payments, continuing to fulfill our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other purpose.

Thursday morning digest: lutefisk season opener edition

Please exercise due caution when entering rural churches. The Chatfield News warns us that Lutefisk season begins Saturday with Fountain Lutheran meal.   It could be worse: we've read reports of lutefisk pizza.

The Globe reports Walz supporters pan Davis' Social Security plan:

Community members spoke out Wednesday against U.S. Congress candidate Brian Davis’ plan to privatize Social Security, saying relinquishing government control in the face of a flailing stock market would make the situation worse and place a burden on taxpayers.

They support U.S. Congress Democratic Candidate Tim Walz, who opposes privatization.

“Some people say ‘Well, it’s only going to be a matter of time.’ If we continue paying out our benefits like we are now, it’s projected to last until 2052 — we’ve got some lead time here to make some adjustments and improvements to the system,” said Mike McCarvel, a state House candidate who led the panel that convened at the Local Union 1161 UFCW office on Oxford Street. . . .

Read the rest at the Globe.

KEYC TV notes Walz secured federal Funding To Protect City Of Owatonna From Flooding.

Local bankers in Waseca write the editor to say Independent, community banks still strong. The Waseca County News asks local bankers ten questions to help those who are having Trouble making sense of the nation’s financial crisis.

One of the jewels in Southern Minnesota's biobusiness crown is the Hormel Institute, where the brilliant Dr. Dong leads teams of scientists working on cancer research. A press release from the University of Minnesota takes note of the grand opening of the center's expansion: The Hormel Institute of the U of M celebrates dedication and grand opening of expansion project:

The grand opening and dedication of The Hormel Institute's Expansion Project will be held at 1 p.m. Friday Oct. 3 at 801 16th Ave. N.E, The Hormel Institute, Austin, Minn. The event will be celebrated by leaders from throughout the state, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, Congressman Tim Walz and Hormel Foods' heir James Hormel.

The medical research center, which focuses on cancer prevention and control, is part of the University of Minnesota and a collaborative partner of Mayo Clinic.

The $23.4 million expansion project was launched in 2006 and has added a new two-story research building for housing 20 state-of-the-art research laboratories. The project also completely renovated the 1960 building, resulting in space for a major seminar room to seat 140, library, several conference rooms, information technology space for the Blue Gene/L supercomputer, shared instrument rooms and complete updating of research support areas.

The expansion originally projected that nearly 100 new jobs would be added to the institute over the next few years. More than 40 research and support positions have already been filled since the project started in 2006. Two new department heads/section leaders were added in September, making a total of nine separate cancer research departments within the center.

Since the House is reconvening today to work on legislation addressing the market malaise, it's likely that Congressman Walz will not be on hand. the vote is anticipated for Friday. That's unfortunate, since he helped secure funding for the project.

Some may complain about earmarks, but we think money to fight floods and cancer is well spent.

The PiPress notes that 1st District debate in Rochester postponed.

CQ Politics says Race Rating Changes: Races for Two Michigan GOP Reps. Now Tossups. With more Republican seats nationally slipping into the toss-up category (and the Rothenberg Report downgrading MN-01 into "safe" territory for Congressman Walz), it's less and less likely that the NRCC or its allies will come to rescue Brian Davis's campaign. The FEC reports due on October 15 from both candidates will play a factor in determining whther other forecasters (CQPolitics, Cook Political Report; Larry Sabato) keep this one on the radar.

However, the electorate is volatile this year, so we don't think a swing district like the First would be safe for any candidate. Fight apathy: volunteer for Congressman Walz's campaign.

Photo: Lutefisk.

SW Minnesotans object to Davis's Social Security privatization stance

We just received this press release from the Walz campaign office:

Southwest Minnesota Citizens Oppose Dr. Brian Davis’ Plan to Gamble Social Security on the Stock Market

( Worthington , Minn. ) – In light of the recent turmoil in the U.S. stock market, a group of Southwest Minnesota citizens held a press conference today to oppose 1^st District Congressional candidate Dr. Brian Davis’ plans to gamble Social Security on the stock market.>

Worthington resident Terry Morrison, who works with New Dawn, Inc., which manages community services for people with disabilities in Worthington , said: “Many of the residents I work with would be in a dire situation without Social Security. Gambling Social Security on the stock market might put many individuals with disabilities into a difficult situation. I will not be supporting Brian Davis because he supports that gamble.”

Dr. Davis has routinely expressed support for some privatization of Social Security and has pledged to follow the MN Republican Party platform, which promotes privatization of Social Security for Americans of all ages.

“If I did not have Social Security, I would not be able to make ends meet,” said Norman Larson, a retiree from Worthington . “I don’t want to have to check the stock market to see if I can pay my heating bill.”

“Across southern Minnesota , there are people who work hard and have paid into Social Security,” said Mike McCarvel, Brewster resident and State House candidate. “Social Security has been an important safety net for more than 70 years and Dr. Davis’ willingness to gamble Social Security on the stock market shows that he is out of touch with southern Minnesota . We need Tim Walz in Congress, fighting against privatizing Social Security.”

Davis Said He Supported The Privatization Of Social Security. Davis said, “I do believe that people below a certain age should have the option to invest some of their Social Security in the private market.” [Winona Youth GOP Debate, 2/23/08, full transcription available on request]

Davis Said If You Want to Know Where He Stood on an Issue to Look at the Republican Party Platform. Davis said, “I want to reassure you that I’m a conservative platform Republican, I will cast those votes, and I will advocate on behalf of our causes. I think our Republican Party platform in this state is great. Do you want to know where I stand; you can start with that document.” [Fillmore Co GOP Convention, full transcription available on request]

Republican Party Platform of MN (http://www.mngop.com/Roots/8a6031ab-af02-4ff7-b4375db06581aaea/Documents/2008%20RPM%20Platform.pdf)

Republican Party Platform Section 1, Letter P (Page 2): Allowing all Americans to invest some or all of their Social Security payments, continuing to fulfill our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other purpose.

Walz campaign: Owatonna residents oppose Davis intent to privatize social Security

Another press release from the Walz campaign:

Owatonna Citizens Oppose Dr. Brian Davis’ Plan to Gamble Social Security on the Stock Market

In light of recent turmoil in the U.S. stock market, a group of Owatonna citizens held a press conference today to oppose 1^st District Congressional candidate Dr. Brian Davis’ plans to gamble Social Security on the stock market.

“As a retiree, I depend on Social Security to make ends meet,” said Sondra Von Arb, an Owatonna senior. “I don’t want Social Security gambled away on the stock market. Dr. Brian Davis’ plan to privatize Social Security is wrong for southern Minnesotans like me.”

Dr. Davis has routinely expressed support for some privatization of Social Security and has pledged to follow the MN Republican Party platform, which promotes privatization of Social Security for Americans of all ages.

“In this economy, we can’t afford Dr. Brian Davis’ plan to risk Social Security on the stock market,” said Lisa Heggedahl, a farmer in Hayfield. “I am paying into the system and will be paying for years to come. I want to know that when I retire, Social Security will be there for me.”

“Ordinary, middle-class Americans rely on Social Security to make ends meet,” said Richard Hackerson, a semi-retired Owatonna resident. “Dr. Davis’ willingness to gamble that away in the stock market shows that he is the wrong person for southern Minnesota . We need Tim Walz in Congress because he will oppose any attempt to privatize Social Security.”

Davis Said He Supported The Privatization Of Social Security. Davis said, “I do believe that people below a certain age should have the option to invest some of their Social Security in the private market.” [Winona Youth GOP Debate, 2/23/08, full transcription available on request]

Davis Said If You Want to Know Where He Stood on an Issue to Look at the Republican Party Platform. Davis said, “I want to reassure you that I’m a conservative platform republican I will cast those votes and I will advocate on behalf of our causes. I think our Republican Party platform in this state is great. Do you want to know where I stand; you can start with that document.” [Fillmore Co GOP Convention, full transcription available on request]

Republican Party Platform of MN (http://www.mngop.com/Roots/8a6031ab-af02-4ff7-b4375db06581aaea/Documents/2008%20RPM%20Platform.pdf)

Republican Party Platform Section 1, Letter P (Page 2): Allowing all Americans to invest some or all of their Social Security payments, continuing to fulfill our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other purpose.

We would also like to draw our readers' attention to a long comment retired accountant  McPherson Hall on Minnesota Central left at our post, Does Matt Stolle of the Post Bulletin want voters in the dark about Davis's positions?:

Mr. Stolle:

Have you heard (or read) the September 24 story on KAAL ? The discussion concerned Social Security and Davis says privatizing, or allowing some of the payroll taxes to be invested, would be one way to help.
"So let's say 40% or 50% of payroll taxes could be included into a secure type of even a 403B plan, which would be bonds and securities that are very stable," says Davis.

  Yes, some citizens are concerned ... rightfully ... and they may support Congressman Walz, but KAAL asked the question.

I am concerned with your paragraph "The program's trustees have projected that Social Security will begin paying out more benefits than receipts in 2017. It will be financially exhausted in 2041."

Are you aware that the in August, the Congressional Budget Office issued an updated report on the Social Security funding requirements. The report, which forecasts out 75 years, finds that while the accumulating surpluses in the trust fund will be exhausted in 2049, ongoing revenues will still be sufficient to fund about 81% of promised benefits at the end of the 75-year period (in 2082). Further, the CBO report says, “future Social Security beneficiaries will receive larger benefits in retirement…than current beneficiaries do, even after adjustments have been made for inflation.”

Dr. Davis may be taking a preemptive strike since he knows that one way to increase funding for the reserve is to increase the taxable cap rate. Interesting that Dr. Davis, who is capped on how much he contributes to Social Security (currently set at $102,000 and in 2007, Davis was paid $411,780), is willing to allow workers to accept some risk.

Also I am confused with Davis comment "the Democrats have been taking money out of that". To my understanding Social Security reserve is still being funded ... and the Government's overall balance sheet is not in as bad a position because of the positive balance in the SS reserve. This has been the case forever ... and some of your readers will recall the Bush/Gore debate over how to whether a "lockbox" should be established so that the Government does not imply a better fiscal year statement by not recognizing the positive impact of Social Security overfunding. The overall fiscal balance sheet would look worse if the reserve for Social Security payments weren't used to offset other funding (such as Iraq). Why is Davis blaming the Democrats when President Bush and Congressional Republicans share some of the blame ?

But the good thing is that these citizens that prompted your article are addressing a concern. Let's not be so quick to minimize their concerns ... if Davis is elected, at least voters know what his plans are.

Thursday morning digest: bucket's got a hole in it edition

We considered suspending this blog and flying to DC to work on bailing out Wall Street, but the sheer loveliness of Southern Minnesota in September persuades us to leave the economic fix to the experts.

KEYC-TV reports in MN Legislators give Their Take On Bailout Proposal:

And after debating the proposal for a second day Minnesota legislators say they will continue asking the tough questions.Congressman Tim Walz says, "I want to make sure this isn't going to be paid off to someone making millions for a failed enterprise and then walks away from it with a truck load of money, that's our money, that's taxpayer's money, that's our children's future."

Senator Amy Klobuchar ... on the Senate floor today questioned the bailout plan asking for alternative ways to solve the financial crisis.Senator Klobuchar says, "Ways to pay for this that we can look at besides putting this on the backs of the middle - class because you know how their wages have gone down and their expenses have gone up $4500.

Read and watch the whole thing at KEYC-TV. Walz's statement and letter to Paulson are found here. The station also reports House Passes Defense Bill, Pay Raise For Troops.

The Winona Daily News editorial board opines A trillion dollars and absolutely no sense. The Worthington Globe board is milder as it urges prudence in Consider bailout carefully.

KAAL-TV reports Walz, Davis Debate Social Security. Watch the clip. Is Brian Davis day trading at that computer terminal or just looking up contacts to dial for dollars?

The station also reports that Noel Peterson has been elected president of the Minnesota Medical Association (watch video here by clicking on the #1 hit here). Peterson took part in Congressman Walz's Health Care Economic Summit in Owatonna in April 2008 (we live blogged the event) and the Austin Economic Summit in July 20, 2007(Health care panel liveblog here). The Austin Herald gave the 2007 summit high marks.

According to the MMA, the "witty and warm" Peterson has been deeply involved in the assocation's work on formulating health care policy:

He is currently a member of the Professionalism Work Group and the Veterans Health Care Task Force. For four years he served as MMA treasurer. He was a member and chair of the subcommittee on coverage for the MMA Health Care Reform Task Force in 2004 and 2005; a member of Healthy Minnesota: A Partnership for Reform. He was a member of the MMA Committee on By-Laws, and the Committee on Administration and Finance. He has been a delegate to the MMA House of Delegates since 1991.

He is also a member of the Zumbro Valley Medical Society’s Executive Committee and its Legislation Committee.

Not everybody was happy with the Owatonna Health Care Economic Summit.  Bruce Kaskubar, chair of the Olmsted County Republican, reacts with a "white paper" here. Read it for yourself to know how the head of Rochester's Republicans responded to remarks by the man who now leads the Minnesota Medical Association. We're curious if Republican congressional candidate Brian Davis agrees with Kaskubar's criticisms.

CQPolitics reports in Offshore Drilling Debate Eclipsed by Economy:

Republicans declared victory after getting Democratic leaders to drop a ban on most new offshore drilling, but the political benefit has quickly faded and both sides are already looking to revisit the issue next year. . . .

According to a post on Iowa Senator Grassley's site, Congressman Walz has joined with other colleagues to urge the House and Senate Armed Services Committee to make sure that members of the Armed Services are provided with the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) benefits they deserve. According to release, 850 Iowa National Guard members didn't not receive leave because of the delay; the letter says that thousands of people in the National Guard and Reserves were shortchanged.

If you're sick of negativism coming from campaign, Mark Fischenich recommends the Minnesota Secretary of State's program, Voting in honor of the vets. We're voting to honor our late uncle, Troy Theissen--as well as those friends who have served in Iraq.

All that talk of a bailout reminds us of a great old Hank Williams song, covered here by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant:

Walz campaign: Rochester residents oppose Davis intent to privatize social Security

Just in from the Walz campaign:

Citizens Oppose Dr. Brian Davis’ Plan to Gamble Social Security on the Stock Market

( Rochester , Minn. ) – In light of recent turmoil in the U.S. stock market, a group of Rochester citizens held a press conference today to oppose 1^st District Congressional candidate Dr. Brian Davis’ plans to gamble Social Security on the stock market.

“With the economy the way it is, the last thing I need is to have Social Security funds gambled away on the stock market,” said Genny Rice, a retiree. “I wouldn’t get by each month without Social Security. Dr. Brian Davis’ plan to privatize Social Security is wrong for seniors like me and for people who will count on Social Security in the years to come.”

Dr. Davis has routinely expressed support for some privatization of Social Security and has pledged to follow the MN Republican Party platform, which promotes privatization of Social Security for Americans of all ages.

“Because of Social Security survivor benefits, I was able to attend college,” said Karuna Ojanen. “While my mother worked, sometimes two jobs, to care for us, should she have also tracked our Social Security benefits on the stock market? Southern Minnesotans, from seniors to survivors like me, can do better than Dr. Brian Davis.”

Davis Said He Supported The Privatization Of Social Security. Davis said, “I do believe that people below a certain age should have the option to invest some of their Social Security in the private market.” [Winona Youth GOP Debate, 2/23/08, full transcription available on request]

Davis Said If You Want to Know Where He Stood on an Issue to Look at the Republican Party Platform. Davis said, “I want to reassure you that I’m a conservative platform republican I will cast those votes and I will advocate on behalf of our causes. I think our Republican Party platform in this state is great. Do you want to know where I stand; you can start with that document.” [Fillmore Co GOP Convention, full transcription available on request]

Republican Party Platform of MN (http://www.mngop.com/Roots/8a6031ab-af02-4ff7-b4375db06581aaea/Documents/2008%20RPM%20Platform.pdf)

Republican Party Platform Section 1, Letter P (Page 2): Allowing all Americans to invest some or all of their Social Security payments, continuing to fulfill our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other purpose.

For more on privatization of Social Security--one of President Bush's agenda items that was pushed back by concerned citizens in 2005--readers can look to the Social Security Network, a project of the Century Project. Basics of the Social Security Reform Debate,   from 2005, is a good starting point, though there are other good sites such as this one and the archives at TPM.

Who wanted to keep up the fight to privatize? Just check out this 2006 headline from CBS Marketwatch: Paulson vows to stay on Social Security fight. Pure genius, that guy.

Photo: Henry Paulson, Brian Davis's social security soulmate.

DCCC and NRCC monthly reports filed: MN-01 not on radar

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) September filings are detailing fundraising and campaign spending for August.

The DCCC reported $5,102,876.08 in receipts, with $53,967,367.68 cash on hand at the end of August, while the NRCC reported $3,444,445.72 in receipts, with $14,387,928.49 cash remaining at the end of the month.

In their filings, neither party's congressional committee reported any itemized disbursements, independent expenditures or itemized coordinated expenditures  for August that were explicitly allocated to Minnesota's First.

On another note, both Walz television ads continue to air on broadcast and cable. Brian Davis's only ad so far was for the September 9 primary--now ten days back.  Perhaps leading cheers at a rally  and sitting three rows back in Blaine will do the trick.

Meanwhile, maybe Davis should be back in the First, "clarifying" the language on his website. The Mankato Free Press reported:

Rep. Tim Walz's campaign assembled a handful of local Democrats Thursday to attack challenger Brian Davis' statements on Medicare.

     Their refrain: Davis wants to weaken Medicare, and Walz wants to protect it.

     The fodder: a statement on Davis' campaign Web site.

     In full, it reads, " We need to address Social Security and Medicare and the burden they place on the American job creator." The comment appears in a section dedicated to job creation.

     This, state Rep. Ruth Johnson said in a press release, " sounds like Dr. Davis plans to cut Medicare."

     Davis, a Mayo Clinic physician, called that a mischaracterization, saying he wants to maintain or increase Medicare coverage while keeping the price stable or lowering it.

     He did acknowledged the passage on his Web site could use some clarification. Medicare's future is important, a pair of local seniors at the press event said.

     Joan Cattrysse and Sally Coomes, both Walz volunteers, said they rely on the federal program to keep health-care affordable. Congress has addressed Medicare several times during the past few years.

     In early 2007, Walz voted for a bill requiring the federal government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. It failed to pass the Senate.

     Wynn Kearney, a Mankato orthopedic surgeon, said the bill instead forbids the government from such negotiations, effectively raising drug prices.

     Earlier this year, Walz voted to reverse a decision to cut the rate at which Medicare reimburses physicians by 10.6 percent. Such a cut may have discouraged doctors from participating in the program. . . .

"Clarification"?  This guy may not have a been a career politician, but he's certainly made a quick study to become one.

Mankato seniors: Davis wrong to call Medicare "a burden"

While we were gone today, this press release came in from the Walz campaign:

Seniors and Leaders: Dr. Brian Davis is Wrong on Medicare

Davis called Medicare “a burden”

( Mankato , MN ) – Today, at a local senior assisted-living center, Mankato seniors said Dr. Brian Davis is wrong on Medicare. Dr. Davis has called Medicare “a burden” and unsustainable, implying that cuts to Medicare are on the way.

“We need someone in Washington who is working for our seniors and fighting to protect Medicare,” said former State Representative Ruth Johnson. “Dr. Brian Davis only says that Medicare is a ‘burden’ that we can’t sustain. It sounds like Dr. Davis plans to cut Medicare. In this economy, southern Minnesotan seniors can’t afford Brian Davis.”

“As a doctor, I know that we need someone in Washington who will work to protect Medicare,” said Wynn Kearney, a local doctor. “Tim Walz has consistently fought to protect Medicare. He voted to protect Medicare against a 10% cut in reimbursement rates and he voted to allow Medicare to negotiate for cheaper drug prices for seniors. Tim will work across the aisle to protect Medicare through common-sense solutions.”

“In this economy, Minnesota seniors need someone who will protect Medicare,” said local senior and Medicare recipient Joan Cattrysse. “Dr. Brian Davis is not that person.”

“Dr. Brian Davis thinks the care that seniors receive is a burden,” said another senior and Medicare Part D recipient, Sally Coomes. “ Southern Minnesota can do better than that.”

Tim Walz voted to protect Medicare against a 10% cut in reimbursement rates and give Medicare the power to negotiate for cheaper prescription drug prices.

Davis Said Medicare Was A Burden On American Job Creators: Daviswrote, “We need to address Social Security and Medicare and the burden they place on the American job creator.” [briandavisforcongress.com, accessed 9/15/08]

Walz Voted For Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation. In 2007, Walz voted to require the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The bill passed 255-170. [HR 4, Vote #23; CQ Weekly, 1/8/07]

Walz Voted To Allow Reimportation Of Prescription Drugs. [HR 3161, Vote #806, 8/2/07]

Walz Voted to Prevent Cuts to Medicare Physicians, Increase Funding. In 2008, Walz voted in favor of a bill to stop a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare’s physician payment rates, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 355-59. [HR 6331, Vote #443, 6/24/08; CQ Today, 6/25/08]

First nutrition programs, now Social Security and Medicare. Does Davis support providing any sense of security or safety net for ordinary Americans?

Photo: Former State Rep. Ruth Johnson

Tuesday morning digest: senior health care edition

Update: The Rochester Post Bulletin reports on the Rochester senior health care meeting in Leaders explore ways to fix Medicare system. [end update]

KEYC-TV reports on yesterday afternoon's meeting about Medicare at Mankato's Summit Center in Klobuchar and Walz Visits Southern Minnesota To Talk Health Care:

Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Tim Walz are visiting southern Minnesota to discuss health care issues and their concerns regarding Medicare. A panel met earlier today in Mankato to discuss long term solutions to the problem of wide spread geographic inequality in Medicare spending. Minnesota's health care is based on quality care at low costs... a system Representative Walz says should be a model for health care programs nationwide. The Congressman spent today talking with constituents about their health care concerns. Rep. Tim Walz says, They're struggling with health care costs, they're concerned about the future, but the one thing that's there is they're optimistic that these things can be solved. "The political duo also met with southern Minnesota residents to discuss veteran's issues.

KTTC-TV reports on Rochester's meeting on Medicare costs. Here's the video clip, which begins after the short ad (the ad and its revenue is the station's, not BSP's):

Owatonna's Marlene Nelson sent her letter, Walz's office quick to help, to the Mankato Free Press; it was previously in the Owatonna People's Press.

Elsewhere in the MFP's letter page, Walz supporter Max Hailperin writes about H.R. 6709, The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Security Act, in Walz wants solutions. He cites the Fairmont Sentinel's editorial, Walz seeks energy bill; Congress fails to act.

Once again, a conservative reaches for a debunked urban legend. The Houston County News has published a letter from M.J. "Mac" McCauley of Winona, First learn about candidate's viewpoint, then vote, that cites the Alexander Tyler "Fall of the Athenian Republic" nonsense. The widely-emailed urban legend also attributes opinions and statistics to Hamline Law prof Joseph Olson that he doesn't hold; in fact, Snopes reports that he himself first learned of his supposed view when someone sent him the email.

A longer version of McCauley's letter appeared in the Winona Post under the ironic headline, Voters must be informed. McCauley himself should start by checking up on his own source material, rather than relying on truthiness. Bluestem caught the use of this  

At Minnesota Central, retired accountant McPherson Hall asks a few questions about the definition of "rich" in MN-01 : Is the Reluctant Millionaire Doctor Rich ?

The Rochester Democrat notes that there will be a house party for Tim Walz in Rochester on August 20. RSVP please. Those who can't make it can support Walz's re-election bid by contributing here. Tomorrow marks the end of the pre-primary reporting period for the FEC.

Update: A friend  sent us this YouTube of last week's Town Hall meeting with laid-off TRW workers (UAW members) in Winona:

Medicare Monitor: Walz and Shays take lead in preserving nursing home funding

The Medicare Monitor reports that Congressman Walz is in the lead of a bipartisan effort to stave off cuts proposed by the Bush administration.

The Austin (TX) American-Statesman published the column yesterday:

More than 40 bipartisan members of the House have sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner urging them to stave off possible cuts in Medicare funding of nursing home care.

The lawmakers object to a Bush budget proposal to eliminate the inflation adjustment for skilled nursing facilities. That is estimated to have a $1 billion impact on nursing homes next year. The letter notes that other proposed regulatory changes would slash another $4.7 billion from nursing homes by 2013.

According to the American Health Care Association, the combined cuts would mean a nearly $19 per patient per day reduction in Medicare nursing home reimbursements next year.

“We are deeply concerned about the impact that cuts of this magnitude would have on America’s most vulnerable seniors and the workers who care for them,” said the letter co-authored by Reps.Tim Walz, D-Minn., and Chris Shays, R-Conn.

“At a time when Congress is working to stimulate economic activity and jobs growth, these Medicare cuts would jeopardize direct care jobs - 86 percent of which are held by women whose salaries are modest and whose families depend on receiving annual cost of living increases. We feel strongly that that these dedicated direct care workers are a key reason we have seen meaningful quality improvement in skilled nursing care in recent years.

“Nursing homes already operate on razor-thin margins, the lowest of any health care provider group. Without stable Medicare payments, many SNFs will lack the resources they need to continue to invest in the building facilities and health information technology necessary to providing the highest quality of care.”

The Medicare Monitor is written by Palm Beach Post's veteran Washington correspondent, Larry Lipman, who "tracks policy makers and interest groups who are shaping the future of the federal health insurance program for the elderly."

More details are found in a press release issued by the Coalition to Protect Senior Care, a broad coalition of senior care providers.  The lead:

Citing the negative impact to local seniors as well as the potential loss of key front line caregiver jobs resulting from possible cuts to Medicare-financed nursing home care, a national front line caregiver organization is praising U.S. Reps. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Chris Shays (R-CT) for successfully generating the bipartisan support of 42 lawmakers for their letter urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to help reject any Medicare funding cuts in the weeks ahead.

"On behalf of the nation's most vulnerable seniors and our front line caregivers who proudly serve them, we extend our gratitude to Reps. Walz, Shays and the 40 other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle now on record urging the U.S. House leadership to oppose cuts to the Medicare-financed nursing home funding that plays a critical role in the provision of high quality care," stated Lisa Cantrell, a co-founder of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), and a national spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Senior Care. . . .

In addition to Walz, House members from Minnesota signing the letter included Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum and Jim Oberstar.

Tuesday mid-day news digest: another district break edition

The Owatonna People's Press reports U.S. Rep. Tim Walz visits SeniorPlace to discuss the struggling economy's impact on senior care. Some excerpts:

With talks of the U.S. possibly heading into one of the worst recessions since the 1930s, one of the areas believed to be hit most is senior care.

Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, met with senior and elder care providers at SeniorPlace on Monday to discuss the impact of the economic downturn and rising costs of health care prices for senior citizens. . . .

One of the cuts, proposed by President Bush, is $556 billion in Medicare and Medicaid over the next 10 years.

"That's going to be totally rejected by the budget committees by both the House and the Senate," Walz said.

A letter writer in the Post Bulletin observes Clean energy tax incentives will create growth:

I want to say how proud I am of Rep. Tim Walz's vote for extending critical clean energy and energy efficiency tax incentives last week. His vote was a vote for a healthy economy, and I want to thank him for it.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 will help to build a clean energy economy for America by creating thousands of new jobs in the clean energy industry and preventing the loss of thousands of existing ones. In the long term, new energy sources and more efficient technology promote environmental and public health benefits, as well as lower costs, for the American middle class.

The renewable energy industry is growing fast in Minnesota and across the country, and providing the new industry with reliable incentives is critical to maintaining that growth.

To truly set the nation on the path to a clean energy future, the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act is the logical next step. This bill caps carbon emissions and establishes a renewable electricity standard, both vital steps towards reducing the risk of global warming.

Both Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman have supported these policies in the past and I'm sure they will keep doing so.

The GOP contenders in the First? If this is any indication, one is a global warming denier. Fortunately, not all of Walz's challengers are so extreme; Day and Demmer have voted in favor of renewable energy standards in the Minnesota state legislature, however silly their rhetoric may be in Republican candidate forums.

Today's education summit will include a discussion of the need for training people for the new "green jobs." The PB provides a preview in Panel discussion will focus on work force. On the other end of the district, a Fulda man writes to the Worthington Globe to say Alternative energy investment would boost economy.

The discussion about energy and the environment looks to be an important one in the First. One signal that that people will be talking is the move by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership to set up three field office in the district for organizing people on state-level issues. The coalition group is lead by former state senator Steve Morse.

A moving Easter message from Jared Stene's family is up at his Caring Bridge site. 

We agree with the letter writer that Old bridge doesn't need to be replaced near Amboy. This is a waste of money; our friends in the vicinity have worked hard to prevent the squandering of their tax dollars. What are the Blue Earth County commissioners thinking?  The writer notes:

Highway 147 is a dead-end road between Highway 169 and Highway 40 — 1.9 miles in length.

Better a park than a bridge to nowhere.

The Pipestone Star reports St. Patrick's Day parade cancelled in the southwestern Minnesota city.

Yesterday, Congressman Walz held a vets' forum in Waseca. Today's  Waseca County News writes of the next generation of vets in Army bound: Waseca seniors choose service over college. Interesting material.

 

Walz to seniors: File with IRS to get stimulus rebate quickly

Another press release from the congressional office, accompanied by a letter from AARP thanking Walz for his work in passing the stimulus package:

Congressman urges seniors to file with IRS soon to get stimulus rebate quickly

(Owatonna, MN) - Today, Congressman Tim Walz met with seniors and elder care providers in Owatonna to discuss the impact of the economic downturn on older citizens and their families, as well as the rising cost of health care. 

Walz, who fought to ensure that seniors were included in the economic stimulus package that was signed into law in January, urged seniors to file with the IRS as quickly as possible in order to obtain their rebate checks.  The stimulus package was a bipartisan measure designed to jump start the economy and to provide necessary financial assistance to those who need it most.  After the passage of the economic stimulus package, Walz was thanked by the AARP for his leadership in helping including seniors in the bill.  AARP's letter is attached.

"I fought to include seniors and disabled veterans in the stimulus package and I'm pleased that we were successful," Walz said.  "As a result, seniors with $3,000 in qualifying income, which can include their Social Security income, qualify for a rebate and should file with the IRS as soon as possible to expedite their rebate check."

"Seniors devote countless volunteer hours to bettering our communities and they ask for little, other than the economic security to stay in their own homes and a health care system that will take care of their needs," Walz said.  "Our seniors served our country admirably over their lifetimes and we can best serve them by making sure we address their needs when times get tough."

Austin Herald editorial: stepping up for kids' health

Today's editorial in the Austin Daily Herald praises both of Minnesota's U.S. Senators and it Democratic members of Congress:

Minnesota’s elected officials in Washington are stepping up to fight a change in a Medicaid rule that would cut $45 million a year for state programs that help protect children in foster care and $38 million in programs for the elderly and mentally ill.

Senators Coleman and Klobuchar and the state’s Democratic congressmen are co-sponsoring bills in both houses that would effectively hold off on this change until it can be fully reviewed.

It’s nice to see our two senators working across the aisle to protect the health of children, especially with one of them up for re-election next year. That kind of anti-political move requires courage and firm beliefs on both sides.

We're curious why Sixth District Rep. Michele Bachmann didn't find herself on that list, given her grandstanding about her foster children.

The Post Bulletin has posted Rule would cut millions for 'vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries', the AP article by Frederick Frommer that contains good background about the problem. Keith Ellison is the sponsor in the House, and Walz, along with the other three DFL representatives, are co-sponsors. If the change isn't made, the federal cut will most likely force spending onto county budgets.

Sunday morning news digest: Sausage making edition

An apocryphal quotation attributed to Otto von Bismarck runs along these lines: "To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making."  KEYC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Mankato, decided that the fomer made good television, and visited a local sausage maker for the segment,  Season of Sausage in Waseca:

A meat cutter since the age of 15 Bob Lau has made a living making dozens of different types of sausage.News 12's Max Jensen caught up with Lau today and watched the Sausage King of Southern Minnesota at work. It's been the same thing day after day for Bob Lau coming to work for the past 25 years:Sausage, sausage and more sausage.

The Sausage King of Southern Minnesota and his merry elves are busy now making 1200 pounds of sausages a day, now that there's venison to be processed.  (Yummy).

The process of putting together the Farm Bill in the House this summer was fairly transparent as well, what with live audio of committee markps and press conferences, but more akin to the unappetising sausage-making Bismarck supposedly cautioned political observers.

That segue moves us to an article in this morning's Bemidji Pioneer, in which Blue Earth County farmer and  Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap cites need to pass farm bill.  The legsilation stalled when all but four Republicans--including Norm Coleman--filibustered the Farm Bill over partisan manuvuering to add non-related amendments to the measure.  The MFB isn't happy about that bit of meat -grinding:

“It’s going to take time, but we at the Farm Bureau are willing to work as hard as we can to make sure we keep moving it (the farm bill) in the Senate,” he said. “There’s no way we can have 230, 250 amendments. They have to be germane to the farm bill, to agriculture.”

He praised both of Minnesota’s senators — Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Amy Klobuchar — for supporting cloture on the bill, or allowing it to come to a vote.

Passing a new farm bill rose as MFB’s top legislative priority when delegates debated farm policy. They further issued their support for the House version, which was spearheaded by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, DFL-7th District.

“We’ve got to remember that the farm bill — we call it the farm bill — but it’s really more than farm bill,” Paap said. “Sixty-six cents out of every dollar in the farm bill goes to nutrition. A lot of it is conservation, a lot of it is rural development.”

While it’s called the farm bill, he said that “it’s really more the energy bill, nutrition, conservation. We’ve got to move forward and those programs need to continue as well.”

While only about 15 percent of the farm bill goes to direct payments to farmers, that measure is also controversial as President Bush has threatened a veto since the farm bill doesn’t go far enough to curtail subsidy payments to non-farmers or to cap them to the wealthiest producers.

The article quotes House Ag committee member Walz extensively.  Walz, who like Senator Klobuchar, spoke at both the Farm Bureau and Farmers Union conventions last weekend, questions Bush veto threats in light of Iraq War funding:

A lot of compromises in the bill are fragile, “but they help bind us together,” he said.

“There are issues of concern to rural Kansas, of rural Minnesota, of rural Mississippi and it doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat or Republican,” Walz said. “You share those in your passion and it brings us together. Seeing this fall through and us admitting we can’t get something done on this is bad in the bigger picture of trying to move other legislation.”

He doesn’t believe Bush will veto a farm bill, saying he appreciates Bush’s call for fiscal responsibility but it needs to be held to all.

“He has never lived that. Now all of a sudden we’re getting it on things we want to hear about,” Walz said of fiscal responsibility. There’s no fiscal responsibility on Iraq, but there is on farmers. That doesn’t make any sense to me.

“The president says he’s the decider, but not really. The American people are,” he added. “And on this farm bill, I’m hearing them decide that we’ve got a good one, let’s move it.”

Papp is one of Walz's constituents. Go read the whole article.

In other news, a letter writer at the Winona Daily News urges the readers sign a petitition to Save the Delta Queen.  Local congressmen Ron Kind and Tim Walz--who did not see eye-to-eye on the Farm Bill--agree in their support of a stand alone bill that would allow the Delta Queen to operate on the Mississippi River. 

A post on patients forum says that House Vets committee chair Filner and Walz are looking into placing Parkinson's Disease on the presumptive list of diseases caused by Agent Orange.

Not all members of the GOP 4-pak hoping to win their party's endorsement to run again Walz have time to blog about encounters with the winsome D.J. Danielson. According to the Pipestone Star, State Rep. Randy Demmer was looking for solutions to Southwest Minnesota's housing shortage; he even got his smiling face in the paper's online edition.

However, we read in Officials mull solutions to housing crunch that while pictorial evidence suggests that  the Hayfield Republican doled out his fair share of smiles, solutions to the issue were not as forthcoming:

The meeting, organized by the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and three key state legislators who are members of the I-90 Coalition — Rep. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton); Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield); and Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) — focused on the difficulties presented by the lack of affordable housing, the problems faced by local employers in attracting quality employees and available funding streams. The meeting, though, was short on the solutions that can help them out of the economic wasteland and into the land of milk and honey.

Funny, but although Demmer is part of the I-90 coalition, he doesn't seem to have earned much of a name for himself in affordable housing circles.  Nor has the I-90 Coalition, a bipartisan group formed in 2006,  yet to put affordable housing on its list of legislative priorities ( 2006 and 2007 lists).

Meanwhile, it's getting cold out, and Santa has brought a warm scarf to the Green Giant in Blue Earth, according to kEYC-TV: Santa Helps Warm the Jolly Green Giant. And to think the citizens of New Ulm wouldn't let Hermann the German wear a giant red boa.      

Saturday, Dec. 1 Senior Federation Medicare Forum with Congressman Walz

Update: November 25:  We have just learned that  Congressman Walz will not be at this forum.

However, it's a good program, with or without Walz.

Via Air America's calendar page:

On Saturday December 1st, join the Minnesota Senior Federation for a free Congressional Forum on Medicare at the Minnetonka Community Center. Congressman Tim Walz will be there, as well as other speakers and vendors who will provide information on Medicare. There will also be individual counseling available at the fair (also available any time of the year!)

This forum will be a great opportunity to learn new things about Medicare, meet some experts and get information that is specific to your needs.

Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 8:30 a.m. to noon
A Congressional Forum on Medicare
Minnetonka Community Center
14600 Minnetonka Blvd
Minnetonka MN 55345
Contact: 952/939-8390

The Seniors Federation web site has more details on the event (links added by BSP):

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Medicare Justice Coalition (MJC), Minnesota Senior Federation, Minnesota Office of AARP, and the Minnesota division of the Alliance of Retired Americans will host a congressional roundtable to present critical issues surrounding needed Medicare changes.

The 9 a.m.-noon event will offer seniors and others concerned about Medicare changes an occasion to listen, learn and ask the experts. Participants will be able to speak with congressional leaders and learn about various Medicare insurance plans from insurance providers. Attendees will also learn how MJC and other grassroots organizations are working at the legislative level to help protect older Minnesotans from inequitable changes in health care and prescription drug policies.

Featured speakers include G. Richard Geier, Jr., MD, president of the Minnesota Medical Association. Geier will address the consequences of a proposed 10 percent cut in reimbursement for physicians who care for Medicare patients. Janet E. Witt, MS, RD, will speak to concerns surrounding prescription drugs for Medicare patients. Witt represents the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Other topics for discussion will include changes in Medicare Parts B and D, hospital payment problems and why it’s crucial that MJC and other senior organizations present a strong voice for consumers. 

Members of the Medicare Justice Coalition represent consumers, payers and health care providers working together to equalize Medicare benefits; establish reimbursement equity between HMOs and the traditional fee-for-service; and advocate for a Medicare system that rewards quality rather than simply quantity.

A geriatric doctor looks at the attack ads run against Walz

Via The Wege, here's clear picture of the sort of attacks ads special interests have run against Tim Walz.  We've commented before about the attack ads, as has Babaloo (Targeting Democratic Freshmen By Frightening Senior Citizens) and Christy Hardin Smith (Get Some…) at Firedoglake.

Now, the internationally respected geriatric specialist Dr. Bill Thomas writes about the attack ads:

Let's say that Congress decided to get behind some incremental changes in one part of our medical industrial economy. It could even get all optimistic and cool and call its package of proposals the “CHAMP Act.” The bill might, for example, improve coverage and benefits for children, extend Transitional Medical Assistance for people enrolled in “Welfare to Work” programs and, make it easier for elders to continue using community-based Adult Day Service Programs. Well that's exactly what it did and the AMA , AARP and National Association of Children's Hospitals  have all applauded this legislation. Nice huh?

Oh, there is one more thing, CHAMP also...

“Takes into account recommendations from the non-partisan Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the bill refines payments for a variety of institutional providers including skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation
facilities, long-term care hospitals, cancer hospitals and rural and small urban hospitals.”

It turns out that the nation's for-profit nursing home chains (and their defenders in Washington) are just not that into the cancellation of multi-billion dollar funding increases in their future revenues.

"The CHAMP Act, as it now stands in the House Ways and Means Committee, is highly detrimental to the long term care needs of 'America's Greatest Generation' as well as future generations - contrary to the claims being made by its proponents," stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA. 

So what does a big-time Washington lobbyist do?

How about running attack ads directed specifically at freshman Representatives who dared voted against the perceived interests of the nursing home industry? Here is the ad being run against Tim Walz in Minnesota's First Congressional District. 

Congressman's Walz's is pushing back against the nursing home industry's fearmongering.

“For too long, these private insurance companies and big nursing home chains have reaped the benefits of Medicare overpayments, and when I voted for the CHAMP Act, I voted for legislation that will help the most vulnerable of our community: our low-income children and seniors.

The people of the First District don’t have to buy expensive and deceptive ads. They don’t have to hire expensive lobbyists. People in southern Minnesota can be confident that I have and will continue to cast votes that are in the interest of our children and seniors, no matter how many full page, color ads costing thousands of dollars the special interest groups can buy.”

Read the full text of his statement here.

So what's new? Congress withdraws promised increases in the nursing home industry's funding stream. The industry's lobby lashes out at the CHAMP Act's Congressional supporters (especially freshmen). Little changes. Another battle is won, lost or drawn.

It is easy to see that the American medical industry is huge and exceptionally powerful. Each component of that industry holds a laser focus on its own needs first and foremost. Each component has its own individual war chest that it can you to attack elected officials who refuse to do its bidding.

It is also easy to see that the public supports fundamental change in our health care system. Hundreds of millions of people can see and are appalled by the waste, the injustice and the failure to produce the quality health care outcomes enjoyed by citizens of other industrial nations. Despite the urgent need for reform, nothing happens.

A bit more about the doctor rising to Walz's defense:

Dr. Bill Thomas is an international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare. He is a professor at the Erickson School and has been heavily involved in the culture change movement to promote elderhood as an honorable and valuable position in our society. He is the founder of the Eden Alternative, a philosophy and program that de-institutionalized nursing homes world-wide over the past 20 years. Most recently he developed the Green House, a radically new approach to long term care where nursing homes are torn down and replaced with small, home-like environments where people can live a full and interactive life. In 2005, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced a five-year ten million dollar grant to support the launch of Green House projects in all fifty states. Dr. Thomas graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1986, and was selected by the Mead Johnson Foundation as one of the top Family Medicine residents in the country during his three-year residency at the University of Rochester . He earned board certification in Family Medicine in 1992 and added a certificate in Geriatrics in 1994. Dr. Thomas also maintains a part-time appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in Family Medicine for Upstate Medical Center . . .

Friday morning news digest: DM&E and more

We overslept this morning and will post a more complete news digest later in the day.  Meanwhile, the Post Bulletin reports Walz hopes new DM&E owner will work with cities:

The proposed purchase of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad earned qualified praise from freshman Democratic Rep. Tim Walz of Mankato, who said he hoped the new owners follow through on pledges to work closely with communities affected by any future Powder River Basin coal project.  . . .

. . .He described communications from the company to him and other elected representatives in his 1st Congressional District as "much healthier," compared to DM&E, and said the company could bring needed upgrades to regional rail service.

"We're going to wait and see how this thing plays out, but we are going to be advocates of this," Walz said, speaking of the potential expansion in rail capacity. "We welcome this change. I think it gives a lot of people an opportunity for a fresh start."

Asked is he sees new chances for Rochester and Winona, in particular, to press for mitigation that would alleviate future train traffic through their city centers, Walz said he was hopeful. . . .

DJ Danielson at IDHA reports DM&E Winona historic meeting recap; DM&E officials no show.

A local nursing home administrator writes a LTE to the Mankato Free Press in Walz response correct, incomplete.  What's incomplete in the new letter:  after differentiating her views on CHAMP from those groups that purchased the ads, the writer touts the Quality First Initiative. And who developed the Quality First Initiative? Why, the groups that bought the ads.  

Yesterday's "Notes from the Farmers Union" included this item:

Last week MFU President Doug Peterson joined other members of the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition (which MFU belongs to) for a meeting with Rep. Tim Walz in Mankato to discuss trade issues. Walz indicated that he share our coalitions concerns and opposition to the pending Peru and Panama Free Trade Agreements. For more info check out: http://www.citizenstrade.org/mnfairtrade.php

 

FEC Update: Conservative ‘Club’ Clipped by Big FEC Fine

One standard that could be used to judge Congressman Walz's performance in his first term is the Beltway adversaries that he's earning by representing the people of the First in DC. 

His vote for the CHAMP-Act, a bill endorsed by the AMA, AARP, the American Nurses Association, and dozens of other groups that work for kids and seniors, garnered attack ads. His response is now cited a model for fighting back against industry front groups.

His work on behalf of First District farmers and agriculture  earned him attacks from the ideologues at Cato and the Club for Growth.   We've reported a couple of times about the FEC's lawsuit against Club for Growth, as well as the feud between it and Walz over the Farm Bill. "The Club" didn't like it that Walz listened to his constituents at those 14 district listening sessions; he's also a target on "The Club's" jimmied-up, MNGOP-sanction "repork card." 

But "The Club" itself is no model for transparent, grassroots-up government; rather, it in itself is a symbol of the Beltway culture that stymies so many ordinary citizens' voices.

Looks like "The Club" settled that lawsuit, and will pay "the largest civil penalty the FEC ever collected after an enforcement case has moved to litigation," according to CQ Politics' article Conservative ‘Club’ Clipped by Big FEC Fine.  The entire article is packed full of "The Club's" various maneuvers.  Some highlights:

Citizens Club for Growth Inc., a highly visible conservative activist organization, agreed to pay a $350,000 penalty to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for failing to register with the agency as a political committee and report its contributions and expenditures.

The group, which has recently undergone a reorganization, is one of a number of groups that organized with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 527 of the tax code primarily to conduct “issues advocacy,” but have drawn loud criticisms for running independent advertising during political campaigns that appeared clearly aimed at persuading viewers to vote for or (more often) against a candidate — a form of electioneering communication that comes under the regulatory purview of the FEC and the fundraising limitations under federal campaign finance laws. . . .

. . .The agreement announced Wednesday would end a pending court case between the two parties, and if the deal is approved, it would be the largest civil penalty the FEC ever collected after an enforcement case has moved to litigation. . . .

. . .The court case stems from complaints and an investigation in which the FEC determined that Citizens Club for Growth Inc. accepted more than $10 million in contributions between 2000 and 2006 that exceeded the statutory limit of $5,000 per individual contributor, while also receiving more than $93,000 in corporate contributions, which FEC-regulated political organizations are barred from accepting. The commission also took issue with $15.1 million in expenditures by the organization between 2000 and 2004, which the agency states were connected to federal elections.

And this kind of rebranding does a lot for those fat cats who want to conceal the strings they pull, but does nothing for restoring public confidence in the process:

As the FEC made the agreement public, the “new Club for Growth” issued a press release stating it is a completely separate legal entity from the Club for Growth that was subject to the legal action, “is not a party to the settlement, and will not be affected by this settlement or any other anti-527 actions that may be taken by the FEC or Congress.”

The penalty agreement was not an admission of wrongdoing, according to David Keating, executive director for Club for Growth, who added that Citizens Club for Growth Inc. would be responsible for paying the fine.

Earlier this year, Citizens Club for Growth “sold its name and non-monetary assets to a new group” that currently calls itself Club for Growth, according to a recent press release. Keating explained Citizens Club for Growth is a Section 527 organization, while the new Club for Growth is organized under Section 501(c)4 of the tax code.

The new Club for Growth will continue to take part in various policy initiatives “never touched by Citizens Club for Growth,” according to the new Club for Growth’s release today. One of those initiatives listed includes “new congressional lobbying efforts on private equity and other vital economic issues.”

Club for Growth State Action registered as a lobbying organization in August 2006, and has spent at least $20,000 to lobby Congress to “oppose legislation to regulate 527 groups.” The group terminated its lobbying at the beginning of 2007, according to disclosure documents filed with the Senate.

We hope that passage makes everything about the "old" Club, the "new" Club and the "Citizens" Club for Growth clear. Right?

Mankato Free Press LTE: Walz voted for us, not Big Business

Mel Strand, a retired reader from Waseca, writes in about last week's ads attacking his congressman:

The full-page ad running in this newspaper since last Friday is an example of dishonest manipulation of information by organizations backed by Big Business concerned not about us, the ordinary citizens, but about their increasing profits.

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the American Health Care Association are primarily concerned about increasing their incomes by taking advantage of government handouts. Both these groups paying for the ad represent the industry and the largest nursing home chains in the country.

Our congressman, Tim Walz, voted against the provisions that would not benefit Medicare patients and the elderly. He supported provisions endorsed by AARP, the organization to which many of us belong.

Whom would you rather have working for you and your health care, AARP or the two organizations that deliberately twist figures to increase their profits? Walz voted to extend the life of Medicare by eliminating overpayments to HMOs and private insurance companies represented by the two groups that paid for the full page ad.

His vote would save Medicare $150 billion over 10 years and decrease the amount seniors are paying out-of-pocket.

Walz is working for his constituents, not for private companies trying to profit by charging the government huge fees. Walz wants to protect Medicare from privatization and promote fiscal responsibility by reducing overpayments to private plans. The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the American Health Care Association are worried about cutting $2.7 billion because it will reduce their profits.

Do as the ad says, call Walz — but thank him for voting for us, his constituents, and not for Big Businesses taking advantage of government programs.

Firedog Lake praises Walz's response to attack ads

Over at Firedog Lake, Christy Hardin Smith praises Congressman Walz's response to anti-CHAMP Act ads that ran in the Mankato Free Press:

Babaloo did a piece for us on CHAMP targeting by conservative interest groups.  And in light of the Southwick problems I just detailed, I thought highlighting a good response to GOP tactics would be helpful.

Smith quotes Walz's response.  Her assessment:

 Good pushback: clear, decisive, immediate, fact based and hits voters where it matters — in the gut and the heart. This takes the fight directly where it ought to go — to the profit motives of the a*****s* who bought these ads in the first place, and throws it right back at them.  “I’ll see your ad buy, and raise you the truth about why you are so worried and an extra chip for your greediness.”  Tactically, this is exactly what was needed, an immediate, hard-hitting, take the fight to their doorstep response.  More like this please.

The head of Children's Defense Fund Minnesota also responded in a letter.  We first covered the ads here.

* We're not bleeping out the word because we object; rather, we try to keep our content accessible to young people who visit via public schools and libraries. Those institutions usually have filtering software that blocks material and language deemed age inappropriate.