Honor and Remember July 22, 2010

This morning I had the great privilege of attending an event at the St. Paul Armory, along with members of the Patriot Guard, to learn about the organization called Honor and Remember. George Lutz, who's son was killed in action has a vision to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. He was on a Minnesota stop as he plans to visit every state in our union with his beautiful, HONOR AND REMEMBER bus.

His website: honorandremember.org states: OUR MISSION -- To establish a tangible national symbol of gratitude, as a visible public reminder to all Americans, that perpetually recognizes all military lives lost in defense of our national freedoms. They have designed a flag to recognise these heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

I had the opportunity to meet three gold star families. This means that their sons or daughters died in the line of duty, serving our great country. It was such a poignant reminder that Freedom isn't Free!...We owe such a debt of gratitude, not only to each one of those who gave their lives, but to the moms, dads, wives, sisters, brothers and children who they leave behind.


Major General Shellato and Lt. Governor Carol Mulneau were among the speakers at toady's event. It was an honor to attend.

The health care bill from a different perspective

On June 14 I had the great privilege to attend a fund raising banquet for Prenatal Partners for Life. This amazing organization helps women and families facing the news that their unborn child will be born with "abnormalities". From anacephaly to trisomy l8, spina bifida to cerebral palsey,and many other conditions, these children will face shortened lifespans or lives that will be challenging and different from "normal". But as Senator Rick Santorum pointed out, these children teach us how to love unconditionally.

This organization was started by a woman named Mary whose child was born with trisomy l8. She has a heart for families who are devasted by the news that their child will be born with a condition that may shorten their lives or bring challenges to their every day lives. She and others reach out to these families with a message of love, support and hope. The evening included a testimony from a mother who was forever changed by the help that she received. There was also a testimony from a woman from Canada named Barb who also had a child born with trisomy 13. Doctors told her and her family that their child would be severely affected and her condition was "not compatible with life". When their daughter Annie was born, she exhibiited none of the signs that doctors had said she would. She had some lung problems, but other than that she was a beautiful baby girl. At the age of 80 days, Barb brought her to the doctor with some minor breathing problems. The doctor said they would not treat her aggressivly and thought she would be fine in a few days. A few days later she had serious breathing difficulties and they returned to the emergency room. Annie was wisked away from the family and a few hours later died. The hospital told them it was because of her trisomy 13 and that this was the expected outcome with her condition. Barb never felt that she had all the information about Annie's final hours. Go to www.whathappenedtoannie.com She tells the story of common practices in Canada with disabled or premature newborns where so many compete for so few health care dollars. How many of us realize that the health care bill that was passed will affect the care of the most vulnerable among us, be it the disabled or the elderly.

Senator Santorum shared his personal faith journey and then about his daughter Isabella. She was also born with trisomy l8 and he told of how the entire family has been impacted in a powerful way by her life. She is not able to communicate verbally with them, but has a joy and love that ministers to each of them. He also shared the concerns about "socialized medicine" and told of doctors in the Netherlands who refused to do any experimental surgery on the disabled or Jewish people during WWII. They were the only European doctors to refuse to do so. Shortly after the war the Netherlands institued socialized medicine and today in the Netherlands, senior citizens wear bracelets that ask that they not be taken to the hospital in an emergency for fear of being euthanized against their wishes.

Prenatal Partners for Life is an organization worthy of our utmost respect. I highly recommend contacting them if you become aware of a family facing a pregnancy with any of these abnormalities. Please check their website to learn more.

Obamacare in Minnesota - What does it look like?

Here is an update for you on what the Democrats are doing regarding health care "reform" in Minnesota. Thanks to Kevin Watterson for this report.

April 28, 2010 Kevin Watterson 651) 296-5989



SMITH: We’ve seen this play before



ST. PAUL – House Republican Deputy Minority Leader Steve Smith, Mound, today criticized Democrats for ramming a health care finance bill through the committee process, pushing the bill through in less than 48 hours. With Tuesday’s Health Care Finance hearing having finished at 1 am Wednesday morning, the bill was back in the full Finance Committee at 8:30 a.m.



“They are jamming this bill through so fast that nonpartisan staff hasn’t even had time to prepare a summary of what’s in the bill,” Smith said Wednesday morning. “I guess they’re operating under the Pelosi principle of we’ll have to pass it so we can find out what’s in it.”



After originally indicating the health and human services bill would be unveiled in the first week of April, Democrats postponed the bill “indefinitely” while awaiting word of how much borrowed money the federal government would send to Minnesota. It wasn’t until mid-day on Monday, April 26 that the public got its first look at the bill and Democrats intend to push it through the committee process early Wednesday, April 28.



“I feel like we’ve seen this play before, except this time it’s directed by the legislative team of Kelliher-Pogemiller instead of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid,” Smith said.



In addition to the clouded process, Smith said that what legislators have been able to learn about the bill isn’t good. One budget-busting provision would enroll Minnesota in Obamacare provisions not intended to go into effect until 2014. Smith, however, pointed out that early enrollment would cost Minnesota taxpayers $1 billion while the state already faces a $5.4 billion long-term deficit. Furthermore, Smith said the fund Democrats hope to find the money for this cost will be bankrupt.



“That’s like writing a $2,000 check knowing that you are already overdrawn. Only Democrats would find that to be an acceptable way to run government, and ultimately it’s taxpayers who lose.”

--30--



Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound) served as the chair of the Public Safety Committee from 1998-2006 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. His email address is rep.steve.smith@house.mn.



Also available online at www.minnesotahousegop.com.

Is Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines Linked to Autism

Last Wednesday I was invited by Representative Laura Brod to a conference call meeting with Theresa A. Deisher, Ph.D. The purpose of the call was to discuss the vaccine-autism controversy and her recent studies.

Dr. Deisher has an impressive background and credentials. She is an internationally renowned expert in the field of adult stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine, brings 17 years of experience in scientific and corporate leadership positions involving research, discovery, production and commercialization of human therapeutics. Dr. Deisher’s penchant for groundbreaking scientific discovery and her distinguished scientific research has resulted in 23 patents issued. She has published numerous scientific manuscripts and is a frequent invited lecturer and guest speaker in the area of stem cell technology and regenerative medicine.

Throughout her career, Dr. Deisher has been recruited by some of the country’s top biotechnology companies, including Genentech, Repligen, ZymoGenetics, Immunex and Amgen. She has managed and mentored undergraduate honors students, post-doctoral fellows, scientific executives and over 20 research assistants/scientists at all levels of responsibility.

Dr. Deisher graduated with honors and distinction from Stanford University, and obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Physiology from Stanford University.

Subsequent to obtaining her Ph.D from Stanford, Dr. Deisher was recruited by Repligen Corporation (Cambridge, MA) and accepted a position as Research Scientist where she managed a staff of associates and scientists and directed the development of research and clinical assays in support of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for various Repligen developmental efforts. Additionally, Dr. Deisher was selected by Sr. Management to participate in strategic alliance initiatives, including serving on the Repligen / Eily Lilly joint development committee.
Following Repligen, Dr. Deisher accepted a position at ZymoGenetics, Inc (Seattle, WA) as Sr. Scientist, Cardiovascular Biology. While at ZymoGenetics, Dr. Deisher’s research and discovery in the area of cardiovascular biology led to the filing of dozens of patents. Dr. Deisher was the first person world-wide to identify and patent stem cells from the adult heart, including what are now called ‘very small embryonic-like stem cells’. Her discovery remains one of the most significant discoveries in the area of stem cell research. Within the field of regenerative medicine, Dr. Deisher is also a patented inventor of the most potent mesenchymal growth factor ever identified (licensed to Serono for clinical development), and of the use of cytokines to mobilize adult embryonic-like cells.

Following ZymoGenetics, Dr. Deisher was named Sr. Staff Scientist, Vascular Biology at Immunex (Seattle, WA) where she was the project leader for both the Antithrombotic division and the Inflammation and Myocardial Repair division.

Dr. Deisher was named Principal Scientist at Amgen, Inc. (Seattle, WA) following Amgen’s acquisition of Immunex. She led multi-disciplinary teams working on the biology and commercial development of novel co-stimulatory pathways involved in the initiation and progression of cardiac failure. Her research interests encompassed stem cell therapies for myocardial regeneration. Additionally, Dr Deisher introduced revolutionary non-invasive imaging technologies for pre-clinical research to the company, including ultrasound (echocardiography) and near-infrared imaging. As a result, the company was honored as an official ‘Site of Excellence’ by Philips Medical for her department’s pioneering work.

Most recently, Dr. Deisher served as Vice President of Research and Development for Cellcyte Genetics Corporation, a post she held until October 2007 prior to founding AVM Biotechnology.

Dr. Deisher spoke with us for nearly an hour and the first thing that struck me, was that most people had never heard that aborted fetal DNA was used in the manufacturing of vaccines. This is morally reprehensible to me and appeared to be to the other legislators in the room as well. Because there has been a concern with the increase in autism, recent literature suggests that l out of 100 children are now impacted by autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Deisher has been studying the link and wants to alert the public about the possible dangers, as well as the wrenching moral dilemmas for parents and consumers.

How could the contaminating aborted fetal DNA create problems? According to Dr. Deisher, "It created the potential for autoimmune responses and/or inappropriate insertion into our own genomes through a process called recombination. There are groups researching the potential link between this DNA and autoimmune diseases such as juvenile(type I) diabetes, multiple sclerosis and lupus." Her organization, Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute is focused on studying the quantity, characteristics and genomic recombination of the aborted fetal DNA found in many of our vaccines.

Dr. Deisher also asks the following questions: "Could genomic insertion of the aborted fetal DNA, found in some of our childhood vaccines since 1979 be an environmental trigger for autism? Could the fact that genes critical for nerve synapse formation and nervous system development found on the X chromosome provide some explanation of why autism is predominantly a disease found in boys? Could the "hot spots" identified in these autism associated genes be sites for insertion of contamination aborted fetal DNA?"

These are important questions and I am glad that this issue has been brought to the attention of the legislature. I will inform you in the future of further developments.

Wasteful spending, misplaced priorities

Today, I had the privilege of shadowing one of the great conservatives in the Minnesota House, Mark Buesgennes and spent the afternoon on the floor listening to debate on House File 2624.

The majority party passed the LCCMR(Legislative Citizen Commision on Minnesota Resources) bill which funds environmental projects using state lottery proceeds. Unfortunately, wasteful projects made their way into the bill. There were a series of amendments offered by Republicans to challenge the wasteful spending of this money. When one Republican challenged the use of the "hard earned tax dollars", DFL Representative Wagenius countered with a statement, that these were not "hard-earned" but "easy dollars, because they are gambling dollars". Below are some examples of what the DFL voted to spend these dollars on:

Will Steger's Global Warming Adventures
"$250,000 is from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Will Steger Foundation
to provide curriculum, teacher training,
online learning, and grants to schools
on investigating the connection between
Minnesota's changing climate and the
impacts on ecosystems and natural resources."

Bird Breeding Maps
"$372,000 is from the trust fund to continue
development of a statewide survey of
Minnesota breeding bird distribution and
create related publications, including a book
and online atlas with distribution maps
and breeding status."

Unique Microbe Characterization
"$545,000 is from the trust fund to the Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota
to characterize unique microbes discovered
in the Soudan Underground Mine State Park... "

"Fragile" Granite Ecosystem Protection
"$1,800,000 is from the trust fund to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources, in
cooperation with the Renville Soil and Water
Conservation District, to continue to acquire
perpetual easements of unique granite rock
outcrops, located in the Upper Minnesota
River Valley."

Show Teachers How to Use a Digital Camera
"$160,000 is from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to hold
teacher training workshops on the use of
digital photography as a tool for learning
about nature."

"Hey Kids, Go Outside!"
"$15,000 is from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Project Get Outdoors, Inc. to
develop out of school programs connecting
children to local nature experiences."

Cross-cultural Fishing
"$155,000 is from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Association for
the Advancement of Hmong Women
in Minnesota to provide environmental
information and teaching skills to and
increase participation of Southeast Asian
communities through the gateway of fishing
skills."

Julie Bunn's latest vote on GAMC - abortion funding!

This is an interesting request from MCCL



MCCL.ORG



DONATE



Dear Pro-Life Friend,

Last week the Minnesota State House of Representatives voted to continue taxpayer funded abortions as part of the state’s General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program. Your representative, Julie Bunn, cast her vote on Feb. 18 against the pro-life “Fritz Amendment” that would have prevented taxpayer funded abortions. The pro-life amendment died on a 67 to 67 tie vote!

Rep. Bunn cast the decisive vote to continue taxpayer funded abortions in the GAMC program.

While the GAMC program is not supposed to cover abortions, the Minnesota Department of Human Services reported that in 2007, there were 68 taxpayer funded abortions covered by this program. These are lives that could have been saved.

Please contact Rep. Bunn. The message can be very simple: Abortion is not health care and the GAMC program should not pay for any abortions.

Thank you for your support of life. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact MCCL.

Sincerely,

Leo F. LaLonde
President

You have to see it to believe it!!!

Last night using a rare parliamentary maneuver, House Democrats voted to gag the people of Minnesota in order to pass a billion dollar debt bill without debate. See video here.

We're back in session - State of the State with Governor Pawlenty

The House is now back in session as of February 4, 2010 and it's time to watch your pocketbooks once again. With deficits looming and unemployment near 10%, the ecomony of Minnesota is fragile to say the least. It was exciting to be on the floor for the opening day and to hear from the Republicans, just exactly what the game plan for this 2010 session will be. This first day of session proved to be rather uneventful on the House Floor. House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers’ family was there and his young son was able to hit the gavel to begin the House Session. As the Republicans discussed their strategy for this year, the resounding theme was making Minnesota a job and business friendly state once again. “Live within our means” No new taxes” and “No unnecessary spending” are the themes as this year embarks.

On Thursday, Governor Pawlenty gave his final State of the State message to the House and the Senate. He was quick to point out that the most important thing happening this week was not the “State of the State” message, but the return of the Minnesota National Guard Red Bulls that arrived home at various times throughout this week. He praised them for their hard work and selflessness in serving to keep our country safe.

The Governor’s first point was that the true source of economic recovery would not be BIGGER Government. The people from this state who have been successful in creating jobs in the past were the same ones, along with new people who would create them in the future. We need to get out of their way and make it easier for them, NOT harder. The tax code in Minnesota is antiquated and needs reform.
He pointed out that Minnesota is the 8th worse place in the nation to do business. We have the third highest corporate taxes in the developed world. The Minnesota tax system is killing jobs. We need to go in a Pro- growth, Pro- job direction. He would like to expand the JobZ program to include car manufacturing and keep the Ford Plant in St. Paul here along with those jobs.

He said we need to reduce government spending which leads to tax increases and kills jobs. Since he was born in 1960, government in Minnesota has grown 21% every two years. Companies make decision to grow and create jobs based on where they can make money. Competitive forces will demand MN compete and will be left behind if they don’t.
Our state government spends $43 million every day, and that is 2.3 million more than we take in each day. This is obviously unsustainable.

What are the solutions to this budget deficit and how do we make room for savings?
The Governor said, "The unallotments cannot be restored." He said that we need to focus our spending on the military and K12 education. We need to look at cutting the time for the permitting process, schools need to focus on performance for teachers, and he spoke of the Teaching Tranformation Act. This would reform teacher tenure and link evaluations to student performance. He said, "We don’t raise the value of education by lowering the standards."
Other proiorities for the governor would be in regard to Health Care. Minnesota has led the way in putting the Consumer in the center of health care decisions, costs, quality, and paying for better outcomes.
We need to have the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines, fostering competition.
And we need to overhaul our publicly subsidized health care – Minnesota Care and Medical Assistance.
We need to get sexual predators off our streets and double the time they serve for their crimes.
We need to assure our military are able to vote and have their votes counted on time.
He ended quoting the Preamble to the Minnesota Constitution:
"We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution".
Governor Pawlenty has done an outstanding service to the State of Minnesota and I am grateful for his leadership over the past seven years. I look forward to his strong voice for this year to get Minnesota back to work.

An Evening with Steve Forbes

Last Tuesday night three friends and I had the privilege of attending an event hosted by the Center of the American Experiment at Orchestra Hall. The guest speaker was Steve Forbes. After having our pictures taken,and a wonderful social hour, we settled in for an interesting evening. We were invited by my friend Devin Foley who is the president and CEO of Intellctual TakeOut, a website program who's purpose is to educate college students and others who want to know the opposing side to any issues, from environmentalism to economics.

Some of the interesting points made by Mr. Forbes include: Free Markets have a moral foundation and have a mutually beneficial exchange; commerce and philanthropy are the same side of a coin. Our free markets are based on personal liberty and that allows for human imagination and ingenuity. He made the point using "oil". It is, on it's own, just a sludge substance - you can't eat it, drink it, wear it, -it is essentially useless without man's imagination and innovation.

There will always be the "bad side"of capitalism, the Maydoff's, etc - but Capitalism is NOT bad. There are rules of the road - so to speak - but government does not tell us what we can and can't do. He gave the example of Steve Jobs and Itunes. People were illegally taking music, and Mr. Jobs came up with a solution.
He pointed out that the economic catastophe we are now experiencing was caused by government errors, such as monetary policy. He said printing money is essentially flooding the engine, and he said that politicians shouldn't change the value of what you earn. Then he spoke of the commodity bubble and the housing crisis, putting folks who can't afford houses into them, and this resulted in a situation where we now have mark to market. Again, all of these "bad" government decisions and policies have caused the crisis we are in today.

What is the solution according to Mr. Forbes. He said,
"This finger-pointing at capitalism is absolutely misplaced. Every economic disaster during the last 100 years has its origins in bad government economic policies, from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which triggered the Great Depression, to the Federal Reserve's excessive printing of money, which brought us the Great Inflation of the 1970s and the recent housing bubble.

Despite many people's incomplete understanding of free markets (which is why I, along with coauthor Elizabeth Ames, wrote How Capitalism Will Save Us: Why Free People and Free Markets Are the Best Answer in Today's Economy), there's a general appreciation that they usually work better than government-dominated ones. Hence the growing political backlash against the Obama Administration's attempt to nationalize health care and extend Washington's tentacles deeper into more areas of our economic lives. This is also why the election results earlier this month were so important. More and more, Americans are disturbed and, indeed, angered by what they see unfolding in the way of binge spending, increased tax burdens and government power-grabbing. The idea that a bloated federal government having more sway over health care will render us better outcomes at less cost for patients with cancer, heart disease and other illnesses is headshakingly preposterous. If Washington doesn't change course--and the House vote for a monstrous health care bill demonstrates it won't--incumbents, who these days are mostly Democrats, will suffer severely next November. Incumbency is normally a huge advantage in an election, but it's become an albatross, as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg can ruefully attest after nearly losing his reelection bid to an underfinanced and largely unknown opponent.

Fortunately for us the opposition to Obama's push for more government control has deep philosophical underpinnings and an impressive array of positive policy alternatives, such as a sound dollar, cuts in tax rates, spending restraints and a host of free-enterprise reforms for health care, including allowing people to shop around the country for health insurance instead of being confined to choices in their respective states."

As a candidate who believes in less government intrusion and free market capitalism, I was encouraged to hear this perspective.

Everything Will Be Free Except the People

My husband Greg and I along with 3 friends just returned from Washington DC where we participated with 20,000 people from all across this great nation in opposition to the 2000 page bill which would give our country nationalized health care. After hearing Michele Bachmann on a local radio program pleading with folks to come to Washington for a noon rally on the Capitol steps, we decided we needed to go. We heard her say that our e-mails, letters and phone calls were being ignored, and that our Representatives needed to see the "whites of our eyes" to know that we are against this massive takeover of one fifth of our economy.

We left on Wednesday about 9:30 in the morning, and drove straight through to Washington DC. We arrived very early on the morning of November 5. We freshened up in a public restroom in one of the train stations near the capitol and began going from office to office, visiting a variety of Minnesota Representatives.

Our first stop was to visit Michele Bachmann. There was much activity there, people coming and going and a great sense of excitement and resolve as they anticipated the rally at noon on the Capitol lawn. From there we went to Representative John Kline's office. He was in a meeting when we arrived, but as we were signing in, he came out and very warmly welcomed us in to his office. He showed us the monstrous bill and had many tabs on pages where he and his colleagues had concerns. The main concerns for Rep. Kline and his colleagues were: the costs, rationing of care, and the taking of individual liberties. We were very impressed by his willingness to take the time with us. It was apparent that his staff was trying to get him to move on to get to his next meeting, but he was giving us his full and undivided attention and we were very grateful.

Next we went to Erik Paulsen's office and he wasn't in. We had a great chat with his staffer, Stacey. Then it was on to Tim Walz's office. He was not available according to his staff, but as we were signing in as visitors, he came out of this office. He was pleasant and happy to see some Minnesota folks. When we asked him about the bill, however the mood changed quickly. We were surprised and dismayed by his answers to our concerns. He said there was no provision for tax-payer funding of abortion in the bill, and he said that the Hyde amendment was contained in the bill,(which it is NOT), that the bill was revenue neutral and will not cost citizens more money. He also said that 97.3% of his constituents were for the bill and that the Mayo clinic was in favor of the bill as well. When we asked Mr. Walz, "where in the US constitution does it allow the federal government to mandate that we "purchase" anything or that Healthcare is a "right"", he answered, that because he had served 24 years in the military, he had earned the "right to interpret the Constitution".
Our next stop was Betty McCollum's office, but she was not in. Next we went to Keith Ellison's office. He was saying all the same things that Congressman Walz said and only seemed to have his interest peaked when my husband voiced his concerns about our son with Spina Bifida not receiving timely medical attention, or surgery when it will be needed.

We then worked our way over to the Capitol lawn where we were joined by 20,000+ people from around the country. There were young families, young professionals, senior citizens - people from all walks of life. We enjoyed patriotic music as we gathered. The rally started with prayer, the pledge of allegience and the singing of God Bless America. We were encouraged by Michele Bachmann, Jon Voight, Mark Levin and many others whose main message and theme was that "this bill will crush our freedom and liberties". There were chants at various times from the crowd, "kill the bill" and the like, but the people were respectful and yet passionate. After the rally, folks went to all three office buidlings where their Senators and Representatives have their offices and every door had lines that went around the blocks. They were determined to let their politicians know that they DO NOT WANT THIS BILL................

We are well aware that most folks did not have the time and resources to make this trip and we were happy to be there to make our voices heard on behalf of so many of our friends and supporters. Please know that I will continue to work hard and sacrifice to represent you with the values and principles this country was founded upon.

Sadly at At 11:09 p.m. EST Saturday Nov. 7, the U.S. House voted to impose socialized medicine on all Americans. The final vote was 220 - 215, with one lone Republican, Joseph Cao (R-LA), voting for the bill.

To quote my good friend Twila Brase, "This is no time to give up. That would be their hope. It should not be yours. Passage in the U.S. Senate will be more difficult for reformers and socialists. Prepare to pour the pressure on. Do not go home, give up, or go away!

Obama Care and the March on Washington September 12,2009

(St. Paul/Minneapolis) – Today, President Barack Obama stood before a Minneapolis crowd and told them that his “one voice” could “bring health care to every American” and then defiantly declared, “They can’t stop us. Let’s go get this done.”



From my friend Twila Brase with Citizen Council on Health Care:

Citizens’ Council on Health Care (CCHC), released the following response by Twila Brase, president of CCHC:


“All across the country, Americans by the hundreds and thousands have attended health care town halls this summer to protest the President’s proposed government takeover of health care. People on all sides of the political aisle share deep concerns about the plan to extend government regulators into the private health care decisions of all Americans.

“President Obama’s stated plan to override the objections of millions of Americans to suit his own policy and political agenda should be an affront to all Americans.

“Furthermore, it defies mathematical reason to claim that creating a new government health care program will reduce costs when he claims that we will soon spend more on current programs, Medicare and Medicaid, than any other federal program. How will a new government program with a new government bureaucracy cut costs?

“Finally, it is disingenuous to offer Americans “the same benefits as Congress” while failing to require that Congress be under the system proposed for every other American. If this plan is so great, members of Congress should not only be in it with the rest of us, they should want to be in it. That they don’t is an indication that it’s not so great afterall.”


MEDIA CONTACT:
Twila Brase, R.N, PHN
President, CCHC
651-646-8935 office



- CCHC -

Citizens' Council on Health Care supports freedom for patients and doctors, medical
innovation, and the right to a confidential patient-doctor relationship.

Election Integrity - Who Would be Against It?

This week I would like to spend some time discussing voter integrity. The current DFL majority does not seem to realize that without this key ingredient in our elections, we are undermining the entire premise on which this country was founded. There was an attempt by the minority party last session to bring changes to our elections laws that would assure elections are done without fraud and with the utmost integrity. All of the suggested changes were voted down.



Representative Tom Emmer(R-Dist 19B) introduced HF 57 Photo ID in committee, chaired by Representative Gene Pelowski(D-Dist 31A). He made many compelling arguments in favor of this bill. He stated that for the integrity of our elections to be preserved, we need to follow Indiana's lead in requiring a photo ID. The Supreme Court upheld this law saying that photo ID laws do not disenfranchise any voters and they do offer integrity and voter confidence in election outcomes. He and Representative Kiffmeyer(R-Dist 16B) stated that between 75-80% of citizens are in favor of photo ID. There is minimal cost that would be incurred to ensure that people at the poverty level and who are on welfare have a photo ID. To accomplish reaching all voters in Indiana for the Voter ID project, they did an extensive ad campaign, educating the people on how to obtain a photo ID. This could be done in Minnesota as well.



Representative Mark Buesgens(R-Dist 35B) countered Rep Paul Marquart's(D-Dist 9B) assertion that there is a lower Democrat turnout in states where photo ID is required. This is not accurate, as there was actually an increase from 6.1% to as high as 8.32% in some states. Democratic voters are certainly intelligent enough to be able to understand and grasp the concept of showing a photo ID at the voter both. If there is a lower voter turnout on the Democratic side when forced to show a photo ID, maybe it's a question of ethics, and not intelligence.



Representative Mary Kiffmeyer(R-Dist 16B) who was the former Secretary of State, quoted Mayor Andrew Young, at a national meeting of the Secretaries of State, "It is a disenfranchisement NOT to have photo identification."



After l-1/2 hour debate, the vote was taken and the results were completely partisan-all Republicans voted for and all Democrats against, hence the majority party voted down HF 57 in this committee. An amendment was later added to another bill and was voted down as well.

As a l5 year election judge, before my run for the House, I saw many many people bring in photo IDs and were distressed to learn that they were unnecessary to obtain a ballot. The current system of showing a utility bill for same day registration makes an undue hardship for election volunteers as well as voters, and it makes for long lines and cumbersome voting. Taking responsibility to exercise the right to vote should be taken very seriously. To take the time to register prior to the voting day and then showing an ID to prove who you are and where you live is not unreasonable. You cannot fly on an airplane without a photo ID. Why should you be allowed to vote without one?




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Interesting Exerpts from the 1400 Page Bill

HR 3200 currently under consideration in the House of Representatives-from Liberty Counsel.org


Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit the books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your benefits for you. You have no choice!

Pg 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58HC Bill – Gov’t will have real-time access to individual’s finances & a National ID Health care card will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your banks accts for electronic funds transfer.

Pg 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange to bring priv HC plans under Govt control.

Pg 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private Health Care plans in the Exchange

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare!

Pg 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services.

Example - Translation for illegal aliens.

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan

Pg 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - Your Health Care WILL be rationed

Pg 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individual will be automat.enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

Pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue Govt on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt Monopoly.

Pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public opt plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families.

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer w/ payroll 400k & above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll

Pg 150 Lines 9-13 Biz w payroll btw 251k & 400k who doesnt provide public opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesnt have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay).

Pg 195 Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial and personal records.

Pg 203 Line 14-15 HC - “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax” Yes, it says that. Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same.

Pg 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr’s time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.

Pg 265 Sec 1131Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries.

Pg 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs.

Pg 272 SEC. 1145. Treatment of certain cancer hospitals – Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems preventable readmissions. (Incentives for hospital to not treat and release.)

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission-Govt will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand.

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can you say ACORN?!!

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates established of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing.

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans (Part B), HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Govt plan.

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory Committee. HC by phone/Internet?

Pg 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance [Death] Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life.

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!

Pg 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Gov’t provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death.

Pg 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Gov’t has a say in how your life ends.

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates.

Pg 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may incl an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life





Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs.

Pg 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org.

Pg 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. They will insert Government into your marriage. Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs

PG 502 Sec 1181 Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research Established.

Pg 503 Lines 13-19 Gov’t will build registries and data networks from YOUR electronic med records.

Pg 503 lines 21-25 Gov’t may secure data directly from any depart or agency of the US including your data.

Pg 504 Lines 6-10 The “Center” will collect data both published & unpublished (that means public & your private info)

PG 506 Lines 19-21 The Center will recommend policies that would allow for public access of data.

PG 518 Lines 21-25 The Commission will have input from HC consumer reps

PG 524 18-22 Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund set up. More taxes for ALL.

PG 621 Lines 20-25 Gov’t will define what Quality means in HC. Since when does Gov’t know about quality?

Pg 622 Lines 2-9 To pay for the Quality Standards, Govt will transfer $$ from to other Govt Trust Funds. More Taxes.

PG 624 “Quality” measures shall be designed to assess outcomes & functional status of patients.

PG 624 “Quality” measures shall be designed to profile you including race, age, gender, place of residence, etc

Pg 628 Sec 1443 Gov’t will give “Multi-Stake Holders” Pre-Rule Making input into Selection of “Quality” Measures.

Pg 630 9-24/631 1-9 Those Multi-stake holder groups incl. Unions & groups like ACORN deciding HC quality.

Pg 632 Lines 14-25 The Gov’t may implement any “Quality measure” of HC Services as they see fit.

PG 633 14-25/ 634 1-9 The Secretary may issue non-endorsed “Quality Measures” for Physician Services & Dialysis Services.

Pg 635 to 653 Physicians Payments Sunshine Provision – Gov’t wants to shine sunlight on Docs but not Govt.


PG 660-671 Doctors in Residency – Gov’t will tell you where your residency will be, thus where you’ll live.

Pg 676-686 Gov’t will regulate hospitals in EVERY aspect of residency programs, incl. teaching hospitals.

Pg 686-700 Increased Funding to Fight Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. You mean like the Gov’t with an $18 million website?

PGs 701-704 Sec 1619 If your part of HC plan isn’t in Gov’t HC Exchange but you qualify for Fed aid, no payment.

PG 705-709 SEC. 1128 If Secr gets complaints (ACORN) on HC provider or supplier, Gov’t can do background check.

PG 711 Lines 8-14 The Secretary has broad powers to deny HC providers/ suppliers admittance into HC Exchange. Your doctor could be thrown out of business.

Pg 719-720 Sec 1637 ANY Doctor who orders durable med equip or home med services MUST be enrolled in Medicare.

PG 722 Sec 1639 Gov’t MANDATES Doctors must have face to face with patient to certify patient for Home Health Svcs.

PG 724 23-25 PG 725 1-5 The same Gov’t certifications will apply to Medicaid & CHIP (your kids)

PG 724 Lines 16-22 Gov’t reserves rt to apply face to face certification for patient to ANY other HC service.

Pg 735 lines 16-25 For law enforce. proposes the Secretary-HHS will give Atty General access to ALL data.

PG 740-757 Gov’t sets guidelines for subsidizing the uninsured (Thats your tax dollars people)

Pg 757-762 Fed gov’t will shift burden of payments to Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) to States. (Taxes)

Pg 763 1-8 No DS/EA hospitals will be paid unless they provide services without regard to national origin

Pg 765 Sec 1711 Gov’t will require Preventative Services including vaccines. (Choice?)

Pg 768 Sec 1713 Gov’t – Nurse Home Visitation Svcs

Pg 769 11-14 Nurse Home Visit Svcs include-economic self-sufficiency, employ adv, school-readiness.

Pg 769 3-5 Nurse Home Visit Services - “increasing birth intervals between pregnancies.”

Pg 770 SEC 1714 Fed Gov’t mandates eligibility for State Family Planning Services. Abortion & State Sovereign.

Pg 789-797 Gov’t will set, mandate drug prices, controlling which drugs brought to market.

Pgs 797-800 SEC. 1744 PAYMENTS for graduate medical education. The government will now control Drs’ education.

PG 801 Sec 1751 The Govt will decide which Health care conditions will be paid. Say RATION!

Pg 810 SEC. 1759. Billing Agents, clearinghouses, etc req. to register. Gov’t takes over private payment sys.

Pg 820-824 Sec 1801 Govt will identify individ. ineligible for subsidies. Will access all personal financial information.

Pg 824-829 SEC. 1802. Govt Sets up Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund. Another tax black hole.

PG 829-833 Gov’t will impose a fee on ALL private health ins. plans incl. self insured to pay for Trust Fund!

PG 835 11-13 fees imposed by Gov’t for Trust Fund shall be treated as if they were taxes.

Pg 838-840 Gov’t will design & implement Home Visitation Program for families with young kids & families expect kids.

PG 844-845 This Home Visitation Prog. includes Gov’t coming into your house & telling you how to parent!!!

Pg 859 Gov’t will establish a Public Health Fund at a cost of $88,800,000,000.

Pg 865 The Gov’t will MANDATE the establishment of a National Health Service Corps.

PG 865 to 876 The NHS Corps is a program where Drs. perform mandatory HC for 2yrs for part loan repayment.

PG 876-892 The govt takes over the education of our Med students and Drs.

PG 898 The Govt will establish a Public Health Workforce Corps to ensure supply of public health prof.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of civilian employees of the U.S. as Secretary deems.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of officers of Regular & Reserve Corps of Service.

PG 900 The Public Health Workforce Corps includes veterinarians.

PG 901 The Public Health Workforce Corps WILL include commissioned Regular & Reserve Officers. HC Draft?

PG 910 The Govt will develop, build & run Public Health Training Centers.

PG 913-914 Govt starts a HC affirmative action program thru guise of diversity scholarships.

PG 915 SEC. 2251. Govt MANDDATES Cultural & linguistic competency training for HC professionals.

Pg 932 The Govt will estab Preventative & Wellness Trust fund- initial cost of $30,800,000,000-Billion.

PG 935 21-22 Govt will identify specific goals & objectives for prevention & wellness activities. Control YOU!!

PG 936 Govt will develop “Healthy People & National Public Health Perform. Standards” Tell me what to eat?

PG 942 Lines 22-25 More Gov’t? Offices of Surgeon General -Public Health Svc, Minority Health, Women’s Health

PG 950- 980 BIG GOV’T core pub health infrastructure including workforce capacity, lab systems; health info sys, etc

PG 993 Gov’t will establish school based health clinics. Your kids won’t have a chance.

PG 994 School Based Health Clinic will be integrated into the school environment. Say GOVT Brainwash!

PG 1001 The Govt will establish a National Medical Device Registry.

Again, I encourage each of you reading this to contact your Representative and Senators and tell them to read the bill for themselves. If you agree that these are dangerous ideas for Americans, tell them to vote NO on Obama's Health Care Plan.

Read the Bill for Yourself!

Here is an overview of the ObamaCare health care bill (HR 3200) which Congress is about to force every citizen to live under, except members of Congress.


Members of Congress will be exempt from being forced into this plan. They will have their own. The liberals, Democrats and some Republicans - while forcing you to join the plan - refuse to include themselves. Members of Congress will have a better plan which gives them freedom you will be denied.

You can read an updated and revised overview of HR 3200 compiled by Liberty Counsel.

Or, go to the full text of HR 3200 and read directly from the government website what this bill does!

Your Senators and Representative will soon be home for the August recess of Congress. Get a car load of friends and go meet with your Senators and Representative. Find out where he or she is holding Townhall meetings. Go to those meetings and ask for some answers! Some of them may try to avoid discussing ObamaCare. Don't let them!

MUST SEE ARTICLE - More on Healthcare

This was forwarded to me today and is written by a woman who has read the entire Health Care bill that Obama is proposing and that Congress will vote on: We must stop this from becoming America's new health care system before it's too late.

DEADLY DOCTORS



O ADVISERS WANT TO RATION CARE
Read Comments Leave a Comment By BETSY MCCAUGHEY
Emanuel: Believes in withholding care from elderly for greater good.



THE health bills coming out of Congress would put the de cisions about your care in the hands of presidential appointees. They'd decide what plans cover, how much leeway your doctor will have and what seniors get under Medicare.

Yet at least two of President Obama's top health advisers should never be trusted with that power.

Start with Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. He has already been appointed to two key positions: health-policy adviser at the Office of Management and Budget and a member of Federal Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Emanuel bluntly admits that the cuts will not be pain-free. "Vague promises of savings from cutting waste, enhancing prevention and wellness, installing electronic medical records and improving quality are merely 'lipstick' cost control, more for show and public relations than for true change," he wrote last year (Health Affairs Feb. 27, 2008).

Savings, he writes, will require changing how doctors think about their patients: Doctors take the Hippocratic Oath too seriously, "as an imperative to do everything for the patient regardless of the cost or effects on others" (Journal of the American Medical Association, June 18, 2008).

Yes, that's what patients want their doctors to do. But Emanuel wants doctors to look beyond the needs of their patients and consider social justice, such as whether the money could be better spent on somebody else.

Many doctors are horrified by this notion; they'll tell you that a doctor's job is to achieve social justice one patient at a time.

Emanuel, however, believes that "communitarianism" should guide decisions on who gets care. He says medical care should be reserved for the non-disabled, not given to those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens . . . An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia" (Hastings Center Report, Nov.-Dec. '96).

Translation: Don't give much care to a grandmother with Parkinson's or a child with cerebral palsy.

He explicitly defends discrimination against older patients: "Unlike allocation by sex or race, allocation by age is not invidious discrimination; every person lives through different life stages rather than being a single age. Even if 25-year-olds receive priority over 65-year-olds, everyone who is 65 years now was previously 25 years" (Lancet, Jan. 31).
I have just received an email from a friend who heard an interview on the Fred Thompson Show (7/16/09) from a Patient Rights Advocate, Betsy McCaughey. When I checked it out (and you can hear it, yourself), it chilled me to the bone.

You Must get into it and hear what she has to say!! She has read all 1400 pages of the bill and points out many things that you will be shocked at, including whether or not, at our age, there's any point of having any medical care for certain conditions to help us live longer. You will not believe what she has to say!
Listen to this:



Listen to the Betsy McCaughey Interview. Unbelievable!!!!










We must get the word out, because surely Obama and his administration don't want us to know what is really going on, and they can ramrod this one through Congress just like they did the stimulus pkg.

Who do YOU want in charge of your healthcare?

As you may or may not know, the current administration is doing a full court press to pass the government run health care bill before the August break. I am hopeful that the outcry from Americans will be enough to stop ObamaCare from happening, but the state of Minnesota has its own battle to fight on the health care front.



There was a push in the Minnesota House last session to have our own version of Obama Care. In one of the Health committee meetings I attended, Minnesota Single Payer/Universal Health Care was discussed. I was surprised to hear that the only argument for government run health care was simply that "people have a right to health care".



I listened with interest to the gentleman proposing this single payer idea and how he spoke of the "15 member board" that would rule on who could have what procedure or care. Does anything seem more socially unjust than 15 government appointed "bureaucrats" who have the authority to decide on the healthcare needs of Minnesota's 5 million citizens, saying yeah or nay to such things as a knee replacement, or chemotherapy, or breast reconstruction after mastectomy? And as if that weren't enough, this newly packaged version of "Hillary Care" that some Democrats are pushing for, will also grant us such gifts as:



l. loss of the freedom to choose your own health care plan.

2. loss of personal choice about what care to receive, whether or not to receive it, and when to receive it.

3. further tax increases on Minnesota businesses to pay for this plan, which is sure to run even more businesses to neighboring states.



One very concerning proposal in the 2008 session was in the language reading that "residents" would be covered. It takes a mere 30 days for a person to become a resident of Minnesota. In no time at all, Minnesota would soon become the Health Care Mecca of the United States, which would most certainly mean a further plunge into negative numbers for Minnesota's already fragile budget situation.



There are some great proposals on the table by Republicans to start fixing the health care crisis, should the majority give them the opportunity to speak.



The first thing to do is to start reducing unnecessary mandates that drive up the premiums, such as mandatory pregnancy coverage, drug treatment, mental health services, chiropractic, social workers and massage therapists. In all,the state of Minnesota has 64 health care mandates. A 21 year old singe male who doesn't need pregnancy coverage is forced to pay for it because of these mandates. We need a cafeteria style system that encourages competition.



We need greater transparency in healthcare costs and quality of medical services so we know what we are paying for and can make the best possible choices.



We need market-driven, common sense solutions that put patients back in control of healthcare decisions. INDIVIDUALS should have the ability to choose their doctor, not INSURANCE companies.



Education would also go a very long way in putting a limit on our country's rising healthcare costs. So many of America's most prevalent diseases are caused simply by a poor diet and lack of activity. Citizens need to be educated and encouraged to take charge of their own health, which would easily cut millions from our country's healthcare costs.



One of my top goals as District 56A's State Representative would be to work tirelessly to maintain individual freedom regarding health care. Government takeover is not the answer to America's rising healthcare costs. If such a legislation does pass, in Minnesota or America, we will be forfeiting the best healthcare in the world and replacing it with healthcare tragedies of unimaginable proportions.

......Does your DNA belong to you, or to the government? The answer may surprise you

This week I had the privilege of attending a picnic with Twila Brase, president and founder of Citizens Council on Health Care. The picnic was to celebrate the "victory" regarding "Baby DNA", or as some refer to it, Newborn Screening or Genetic Privacy.



The main issue is this: Who owns the individual DNA of a newborn? Let me explain. When a baby is born in Minnesota, there is blood sample taken from the heal and tested for 54 possible genetic defects....the most common and oldest one screened for is PKU - Phenalketonuria. If caught early, many of these potential maladies could be corrected and mental retardation can be prevented. This is a good test, a very helpful test in doing what we can to make sure Minnesota's newborns are healthy. The testing of the blood for this is not an issue for anyone.

What happens after the test is completed? Now that is a problem. The Minnesota Department of Health decides to keep and store this genetic material and warehouse it. It is then used for research by facilities like the U of M and Mayo Clinic. Minnesota law states that this material can only be held and used with permission, yet, absolutely no knowledge or consent is asked for or provided to parents of Minnesota newborns. At a senate hearing I was at, Senator David Hann (R-Dist 42) pointedly asked the two top officials from the Minnesota Department of Health about this subject. His question was "Out of the thousands of samples you are now holding, exactly how many do you have permission for?" The answer was shocking: ZERO. Our very own Minnesota Department of Health is breaking the LAW!

There was debate and discussion for quite some time on this, but the one comment that sticks in my memory was when Senator Paul Koering(R-Dist 12) asked, "How long exactly have they been doing this, and they don't have MY DNA do they?" There was, of course, no answer to this question from the Department of Health.

The DFL Majority in the House, with Rep Paul Thissen(DFL-Dist. 63A), introduced a bill, HF 1341, which proposed complete elimination of informed written consent requirements for the taking, storage and use of newborn blood and DNA. This bill would repeal the genetic privacy law for everyone born today, everyone born in the last 23 years, and everyone born in the future. This is yet one more example of your LIBERTIES being taken and yet the citizens of Minnesota are conveniently left out of the loop, completely unaware that their rights are being violated in this way.


The bill received much opposition from citizens and parents and although it was listed on the House calendar for three days, Rep. Thissen never brought it forward. The picnic this week was to celebrate this victory, and as was stated by three legislators who spoke there, it was the "citizens" with signs and stickers in opposition at the committee hearings that affected this bill being brought forward.



Rep. Thissen's dropping of this legislation is proof positive that you can indeed make a difference in Minnesota's laws and government, so don't ever underestimate your power to persuade when you show up and get involved.



Ms Brase and others believe there is a strong possibility that this bill will be brought up again in the 2010 session. Keep the pressure on your legislators to vote against this attempt once again to take away our liberties. I would whole-heartedly agree with Twila when she said,""There is nothing more personal, more private, more yours than your DNA and your unique genetic code. The law requires express informed written parental consent for the storage and use of newborn DNA, yet the Minnesota Department of Health refuses to follow the law. The rights of the 73,000 babies born each year in Minnesota are being violated." "This legislation should be dropped. The health department's attempt to repeal constitutional privacy rights and informed parent consent should be ended. Repealing genetic privacy rights at birth, and eliminating parent consent requirements for government storage, use and analysis of newborn DNA, would mean the end of genetic privacy rights for all future generations."

For more information about CCHC go to: http://www.cchconline.org/ There is an on-line petition that you can sign telling Governor Pawlenty that you oppose any change in the current law.

Minnesota Welfare System: A shocking look at the abuse of your tax dollars

I want to take this week to reveal the truth about welfare in Minnesota. In August of 2008,Minnesota House Republicans called for an audit and hearings on the subject of out of state welfare spending. The reason for the audit was the discovery that millions of Minnesota's welfare dollars were being spent in states other than Minnesota, through the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Many are not familiar with the EBT card. It is the current form of welfare payment that used to be known as food stamps. Years ago, welfare benefits collectors would receive their allotted amount of food stamps, which looked similar to fake money. It could be used at grocery stores and the like to purchase food for struggling families, and other necessities, such as diapers, formula, and personal hygiene items. Some years back, it was decided that the EBT system would provide a more efficient and less conspicuous way for welfare recipients to use their benefits. The EBT system works similar to a debit card in your checking account: If you've got money in your account, you swipe your EBT card at the cash register, and pay for whatever it is that you're buying.

Now, at first glance, using an EBT card out of state may not seem like such a big deal. I mean, really, who cares if welfare recipients spend their assistance here or in Wisconsin, right?

But there are some very serious flaws in Minnesota's welfare system that make it a VERY big deal. First, these cards can be used anywhere: not just the grocery store or your local discount chain, but also at liquor stores. They can be used to buy cigarettes, lottery tickets, beer, or, you can go to an ATM and just cash out, free to spend your money at the local casino, or to buy street drugs of your choice.

There is also no requirement to show ID when using an EBT card, which leaves them wide open for theft, sending to relatives in other states, or selling on the black market. These things can and do happen.

"There is a financial responsibility on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being abused." said Representative Laura Brod (R-Dist. 25A). "The welfare system in Minnesota is growing exponentially and receiving a great share of the state's budget. We want to take care of families in need, but also ensure that no one is abusing the system for their own financial gain at the expense of Minnesota families struggling to pay their own bills." Brod continued.

Representative Marty Seifert (R-Dist. 21A) said "Government must be held accountable for fiscal responsibility, particularly in cases of fraud or misuse of taxpayer dollars."

Minnesota EBT cards are being used in ALL 50 states, from Alaska to Hawaii. Why is Minnesota welfare money being spent all of the country?

This session, several attempts to bring reform to our vulnerable welfare system were brought forward, and the majority party never even allowed them to be brought to the table. This is completely baffling to me. These cards should be used for necessities. We need to ensure that Minnesota's vulnerable children have the food, diapers and formula that they need, and that our taxpayer dollars are not spent on potentially destructive items such as gambling, tobacco, or alcohol. This could easily be accomplished through simple changes to our welfare system.

Personally, I would work toward the goal of eliminating welfare fraud, and ensuring that welfare is a temporary help and not a lifelong program. We need to help people learn how to care for themselves. I am not talking here about the permanently disabled, or the elderly who cannot care for themselves, but for the many smart and able-bodied Minnesotans who are caught in the difficult to escape trap of the Minnesota Welfare system.

On Monday, April 27, the Democratic majority House passed the HHS Spending Bill-HF 1362. Rather than working on balancing our budget and stop-leaking our ever-growing deficit, the Majority party increased the budget for welfare by 2.2 billion dollars-up 20.47 percent!

For more information on the welfare bill go to www.mnhousegop.com Click on Health & Welfare

More on unallotment.......

The governor continues to be attacked by many in the Democratic Legislature and portrayed as a villian for doing the job our Legislature was paid for, but refused to do: bring our budget into balance. The legislature was fully aware of the 6.4 billion dollar deficit when the budget session began. And Governor Pawlenty made it very clear from the outset that he would follow through on his promise to NOT raise taxes on the hardworking, tax-paying folks in the state of Minnesota.

The DFL continues to tell us how much the people are going to suffer with Pawlenty's unallotments. I want to point out that the tax-payers, job-providers, and businesses of Minnesota are already suffering, by the continued over-spending of the DFL majority legislature, and by the simple fact they we are among the top taxed citizens in this country.

The following editorial says it well.

From the Winona Daily News:
What’s more shocking than the outrage Democratic lawmakers around Minnesota expressed when Gov. Tim Pawlenty made his “unallotments” to the state budget?

The answer: Their surprise that Pawlenty actually made cuts to things like social services, local government aid, K-12 education and higher education.
But Pawlenty did everything but smoke signal and telegraph what he was going to do long before the session ended in infamy and shame when the DFL-controlled Legislature decided to abdicate its responsibility and not pass a balanced budget, leaving state government’s future in one lame-duck governor’s hands.

Here’s a sample of the outrage:

“To every Minnesotan who will feel the impact of these cuts, I have this to say: It didn’t have to be this way,” said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich.

He’s right — his party could have done the hard task of making the cuts or finding a budget agreement. His party and its leadership lacked the fortitude and vision to find a budget that worked.

“When the governor said his $100 million unallotment to higher education will only cut 3.6 percent from the University and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, he didn’t include the $40 million he cut with his prior unallotments and the $60 million cut he signed into law this session,” said Rep. Tom Rukavina. “Some people call that dishonest. I call it lying through your teeth.”

But Rukavina doesn’t seem to understand that Pawlenty has been saying he’d cut higher education all along with the rest of the unallotments made public Tuesday.

If Pawlenty is lying, then Rukavina and his party have been traitors of Minnesotans’ trust as they flatly failed to find a balanced budget.

The Democrats believe that if there’s enough smoke, people will believe there’s also fire. But all the bluster and outrage coming from somewhere near St. Paul is posturing and pandering of the worst kind because it’s nothing more than partisan politics.

Like it or not, Pawlenty was true to his word. He cut what he said he would. Those who would believe otherwise simply didn’t listen or shouldn’t be leading this state through these very turbulent times. (House and Senate leadership, we’re looking in your direction.)

It’s fine to be outraged at cutting funding to our children, to the elderly, to those in college who are our future, to those who cannot help themselves. We are also upset.

But don’t forget the DFL gave Pawlenty the power to unallot.

So if you’re thinking about directing rage at someone — pause for a moment when you think about aiming criticism at Pawlenty.

Pawlenty remained true to his word — whatever that is worth.

And speaking of worth, the only thing worth less than talk was the inaction of the

DFL-controlled Legislature that did everything but pass a budget.

Keep in mind their failure didn’t stop most members from successfully collecting a paycheck or per diems, despite record state revenue shortfalls.

There’s a word for taking money and not doing a job, isn’t there?

By Darrell Ehrlick, editor, on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board, which also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and deputy editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call (507) 453-3507 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.
.

Why "unallotment"

Today Governor Pawlenty began the difficult task of unallotment. Unallotment was, of course, not the governor's first choice. But since the legislature couldn't agree on how to solve yet another astronomical budget deficit, he had little choice. Overspending can be dealt with one of two ways: 1. Control spending, or 2. Raise taxes.

Among the proposals from the Democratic legislature for the state's 2.7 billion shortfall:
Increase income tax on all Minnesotans. The rate change would have been: 5.35% rate increased to 6%, 7.05 rate to 7.7%, 7.85% to 8.5%. The Democrats also wanted to create a new 9.25% rate. They also proposed doubling the cigarette tax from 48 cents to $1.02 cents per pack, and raising alcohol taxes, including doubling the receipt tax and per drink taxes on wine, beer and distilled spirits.

Other "revenue enhancements" included a proposal to end the sales tax exemption on the private sale of boats, RVs and snowmobiles, imposing an i-Tunes tax -(tax you when you download music from Internet based sellers) and the list goes on and on.

Democrats proposed repealing tax credits for K-12 education expenses, dependent care expenses, long-term care insurance premiums and the gas tax credit; as well as take away itemized deductions for property taxes, mortgage interest and charitable contributions.

Simply reading of these astronomical proposed tax increases is exhausting. Minnesotans have been tightening their belts substantially the last few years in an effort to climb out of financial struggles brought on by skyrocketing gas prices, food prices, and a slew of layoffs that was accelerated due to the continue raising of corporate taxes in Minnesota. Yet, the Democratic legislature saw absolutely no need to reign in their out of control spending.

While we citizens work so very hard to live within our means during these tough economic times, let me ask if any of the following budget expenses are necessities to you:

$200,000 from the workforce development fund to the "Indigenous Earthkeepers" program for American Indian youth environmental education and training.

$32.75 million
To forgive debt on a loan to the City of St. Paul. Taxpayers have already "forgiven" $17 million of St.Paul's debt.

$25,000
To members of a farmers market association for members who incurred crop damages as a result of a hail storm in 2008.

Over $65,593,000 (in 2008/2009)
For "integration aid" to schools. Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Dist 36B) investigated aid and here are some examples of what this money was being spent on: see:http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/2005/integrev.htm
* After school soccer $3,000
* Art Exhibit $7,500
* Collaborative coordinator $43,000
* Cultural liaison officer, salary & benefits $125,000
* Culturally responsive teacher training $ 15,000
* Equity coach $74,000
* Ethnic celebrations $ 3,000
* Field trip scholarships $ 10,000
* 5th grade kindness retreat $ 5,000
* Food & snack for ethnic celebrations $ 4,000
* Integration program coordinator $ 99,000
* Secretary to IPC $ 57,600
* Newcomers program teacher $ 113,000
* Pen Pal book club $ 3,500
* 6 step hip hop program $2,000

Other examples of proposed spending include;
3 million for auto repairs, auto loans, and auto purchase grants to individuals who are eligible to receive MFIP (a.k.a. welfare) benefits for those who have lost eligibility for benefits due to earnings in the prior 12 months.

$500,000 for composting grants

The following money comes from grants to artists......
$590,000 in grants for artists to travel around the world since 2003
$5,000 for a grant to a Bloomington man to "finish hand coloring 'Boris', an animation about overcoming difficult circumstances to live a happy life."
$2,000 for a Mpls woman to revise her memoir entitled "My Transgender Husband: A Love Story."
$6,000 for a Mpls woman to photograph, among other things, closed Dairy Queens in the winter time.
$12.4 million for grants like the ones above in this year's "jobs" bill.

I have listed these things because you deserve to know the truth. The media and the Democratic majority are portraying our governor as the "bad guy" in not allowing the Democrats to raise taxes. He is one courageous man in calling them on their bluff. When Minnesotans - both private citizens and businesses-are having to tighten their belts to make ends meet in these very difficult econ mic times, Minnesota government needs to do the same. We should be commending Governor Pawlenty for having the courage and the discipline to make the tough decisions when no one else would. I can assure you that I would never vote for these expenditures with the hard-earned tax-payer dollars. Minnesota's constitution requires that our state live within a balanced budget . It is the responsibility of our elected officials to uphold that constitution and spend our tax dollars wisely. Let's remind them next November of our wishes for elected officials to do just that.

What good idea is next? Mandatory broccoli eating?

How far will our liberal legistature go in mandating what's best for you?



Well, it's official. One of the last of the "victories" of our house session debates will be put into action today. It is the mandatory seat belt law. Yes, folks can now be pulled over as a primary offense if a police officer believes that he or she is not wearing their seat belt. This issue was discussed and passed on the last day of session and had a long and spirited debate.

There were several amendments offered....allowing juries to hear whether or not a person was wearing a seatbelt or not - (Rep Kohls 34A Victoria), and Rep. Steve Drazkowski R28B asked for the removal of the word "primary" in his amendment.

There were many interesting arguments to vote NO on this bill during the debate. Bobby Champion (DFL 58B) mentioned the fact that 87% of Minnesota citizen's are already in compliance with wearing a seat belt and that this number is so high due to successful education, not mandatory enforcement. Rep Cy Thao (DFL-65A) spoke to the fact that he himself has been pulled over for no reason, and stated that " racial profiling does happen." Carlos Mariani (DFL 65B) - gave a personal story about his family's experience of being racially profiled. In this instance, his daughter's two friends ended up being jailed and his car was impounded.

Rep Bud Nornes (R-10A Fergus Falls) spoke about law-abiding senior citizens who will now be made to be criminals because of their choice to not wear a seat belt. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety itself reports that during 2006-2008, there were 1,096 vehicle occupants killed on Minnesota roads, and that only 518 of them were unbelted(http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ Minnesota Seat Belt Overview). While this is indeed a large number of lives that could have been saved, the fact remains that there were more occupants who were wearing seat belts killed than there were not wearing seat belts.

Representative Buesgens (R-Dist. 35B) spoke about all the good ideas the legislature could enact, such as mandatory eating of broccoli, mandatory exercise, wearing a helmet inside your car, etc.....there are lots of good ideas. He also stated that we should consider the price of accepting federal money in relation to the cost of forfeiting our freedoms. Other representatives concurred with comments such as "People can care for themselves" and "this bill is crumbling away at people's liberties."

The bipartisan objection to this bill was very compelling. Representatives from both sides of the aisle were very aware of the legalistic approach to this bill. Nonetheless, the current representatives from District 56 and many others voted in favor of this law. The vote was 73-60 and passed.

I do agree with the use of seat belts, and I believe that they do indeed, in most instances, save lives. Nevertheless, I would have voted to retain the liberties of the citizens of Minnesota and I would trust the individuals to decide for themselves how to live their lives.

Looks like it really is "Buckle up or pay".

What Difference Can ONE Vote Make?

I am going to share this week some legislative information about an issue very near and dear to my heart. It concerns the subject of abortion, and while I am not a one-issue candidate, I believe a politician's views on the right to life are critical, as those views influence many of the decisions that need to be made by a legislator. On April 27, 2009, HF 1362, amendment 522 was offered by State Representative Fritz, who serves Faribault for the DFL(26B). This amendment would have discontinued taxpayer funding for abortion in Minnesota. There was discussion from Democrats and Republicans alike, with speakers reminding their peers that many, many Minnesotans are outraged by the practice of abortion and the killing of our pre-born children. Rep. Gottwald (R-15A-St. Cloud) pleaded with members to vote "yes", as the majority of Minnesotans do NOT want their tax dollars funding the ending of human life. Rep. Liebling (D-Dist. 30A Rochester) urged members to vote "no" on the amendment, citing fear of court challenges. Can we find no better reason than that to direct our tax dollars away from destructive practices such as abortion? And is it really ok to force Minnesotans that respect and value the life of the pre-born child to spend their tax dollars destroying that life?

The vote was taken, and it ended in a tie-66 aye's and 66 no's, which meant that the amendment had failed. I have thought often since that day about the fact that if just ONE more pro-life representative were in the House, we would have had a huge victory for the taxpayers in Minnesota and would have presumably saved the lives of many pre-born children. In our area of District 56, both representatives from A and B voted against this amendment. Had Lee Bohlsen or myself been sitting in those seats, this amendment would have passed.

In doing my research for this post, I found that there were nearly 100 tie votes this year in the Minnesota House. We will be looking at some of those votes in future posts to show the people once again the difference that ONE vote can make.

Welcome to my blog

Since the conclusion of my hard fought campaign to win the election to the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 56A, last November, I have continued working toward that same goal in 2010 by monitoring the issues that got me into the race so many months ago.

This is because I believe today what I have always believed: That the residents of Washington County are conservative in nature, and are interested in smaller government, responsible government spending, personal freedom and responsibility, and security for their families. They are absolutely right.

Over the past five months I have had the chance to closely watch the workings of the Minnesota House of Representatives – following key legislation as it moved through the House, monitoring committee hearings and floor debates, and keeping track of the votes that were made in our name. And I want to share this story with you.

This blog will be one part news reporting; one part citizen-diary and one part voter guide. I have had the chance to see a lot over the past Legislative Session; things that those in my community have not had the chance to see. Until now.

My goal is to give you a "bird's eye" view (so to speak) of what I observed over the past several months in the gallery of the House and to update you throughout the next year and a half on the Legislative actions that impact you. I will also let you know how I would have voted in comparison to District 56A’s current representative. This is not to criticize the current representative, but merely to inform you of our differences in philosophy and government. You, as the voter, have a right to know the whole truth about a candidate's beliefs before making your voting decision.

It is an important story. It is one of brave stands … and cowardly weakness. It is one of great ideas … and monumental stupidity. It is one of good, old-fashioned thrift … and unbelievable waste.

So please stay tuned. This is a story that I want you to know.





Kathy Lohmer


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