.jpg "Protest on eve of MN government shutdown")
St. Paul, MN – Members and supporters of the Welfare Rights Committee gathered on the steps of the state capitol building here, June 30, unfurling a huge banner reading “Tax the rich! No cuts to poor and working people.” Unless Democrat Governor Mark Dayton goes along with the Republican plan to slash the social safety net, the government will shut down at midnight.
“Time is quickly running out. Rather than make the rich pay one dime for the budget deficit, the Republicans are set on pushing our state into a government shutdown. For working and poor, disabled and elderly Minnesotans, a government shut-down would by far be a better outcome than the deadly cuts that Republicans are trying to force down our throats,” stated Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee.
Republican politicians have staked out a ‘no new taxes’ position and want to balance the budget with massive cuts to programs that serve poor and working people. Dayton’s original budget also contained huge cuts to health and human services. Also, in March, the governor backed down on his proposal for a surcharge on the very richest and increased taxes on million-dollar homes. In addition, Dayton has also floated proposals attacking Indian gaming, a move that would balance the budget on the backs of Native Americans.
The governor has stated recently that he wants to compromise 50-50 with the republicans. The Welfare Rights Committee asserts that Dayton has compromised enough. Kim DeFranco of the Welfare Rights Committee said, “We are against any budget compromise that comes at the expense of the people of Minnesota. The rich need to pay for this crisis.”
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Great Article!
This article really just lays it out.
What we have to remember is that the rich got us into the financial crisis and made big bucks from it too. So they wanna make billions off our hard work, send the US into a recession, send our friends and family into wars all around the world, and then cut what few programs that still help the people. I'm sorry, but I ignore the crocodile tears of the wealthy when we have outrageous unemployment and the jobs that do exist pay us poverty wages.
It's clear as daylight to any working person that the wealthy live in luxury while we barely make it. The rich are pushing their luck with working Americans and it's great to see the people taking a stand.
They Say Cut Back, We Say Fight Back!!
I'm sorry but raising taxes
I'm sorry but raising taxes to rich people isn't any more fair than cutting funding to the poor.
You can't penalize people who are wealthy, it's not their job to take care of the rest of us.
Nor is it right to cut funding to important programs offered through the state. If they raise taxes they should only do it a tiny bit, not a lot.
If they want to cut programs, they should try to combine programs into one.
tax the rich
After seeing the memo of the GOP demands, I wish Gov Dayton would move the tax the rich to the top 5%.
Republicans are doing the bidding of A.L.E.C.
There are at least 11 known members of MN Legislature that are members of A.L.E.C.
If you look at the leaked memo the Republican's list of required bills that Gov Dayton sign, you will see the similar bills on the A.L.E.C website proving that it is Corporations and outside money and influence that these MN Republicans are representing and not the people of MN.
Members of A.L.E.C believe there is profit they can get from making Government services onto Private run services. Like prisons, schools, etc... You can also Youtube A.L.E.C events and speeches.
Last year A.L.E.C member and Gov candidate Tom Emmer used A.L.E.C. written bill to push for privatizing prisons in MN.
Here is a list of MN A.L.E.C. members. They are trained to stay on A.L.E.C talking points and why their speeches match those of other GOP Legislative members in other states.
MN A.L.E.C members.
Sen. Mike Parry (R)
Sen. John Sterling Howe (R)
Sen. Chris Gerlach (R)
Rep. Paul Anderson (R)
Rep. Mike Benson (R)
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R)
Rep. Sondra Erickson (R)
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R) 2011 Chair Person.
Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)
Rep. LInda Runbeck (R)
Rep. Ron Shimanski (R)
By ALEC’s own statements “45%” of ALEC members are ‘private sector’ members, and ‘public sector’ members, who pay minimal annual dues are only 1% of ALEC revenue 'donations' of their $7 Million budget, all paid for 'donated' by major US corporations, and the mega-rich like the Koch brothers.
“This bill makes it perfectly clear that Minnesota Republicans choose to protect big business and insurance companies rather than defend the rights of Minnesotans,” said Sen. Latz. (DFL)
Tax the rich
it's just a modern day witch hunt. What we would get from the rich is not enough to cover what people want from it. The gov't will be after more and more, from all of us. If we don't stop the spend and tax attitude now our children will suffer for it.
It's interesting that all I have heard from the news about the effects of the shutdown is that we won't be able to purchase hunting and fishing liscences, road repair is on hold and state parks are closed. What's the big deal. I say SHUT IT DOWN. Stop the tax and spend. Let the government get out of the way and out of our lives.
NO new taxes! No new revenue!
Obvisouly you do not know
Obvisouly you do not know your facts the budget the Dayton proposed did have cuts to programs. Not only that the richest in the state of MN have not paid for anything on there income poor and working people pay more taxes the wealthist due in MN. If Pawlenty would have done this when he was in office we would not be in a budget deficit right now.
The Republican's budget is a
The Republican's budget is a 10% increase over last years budget. I don't know anyone who received a 10% raise this year so why on earth does Dayton need to tax the wealthy!!!??? There are not massive cuts to programs, the budget has increased!
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