True North

As others have documented, the citizens of Minnesota are upset about the Transit Bills passage. They are all concerned about how these additional taxes are going to hurt their families in this pending recession. So what are we to do?

According to a poll on Jason Lewis' website, the options are 1) resign yourself to paying more taxes, 2) commit to fighting Minnesota's tax raisers or 3) pack your bags and move. The good news is that 70% of respondents want to stay and fight, but how. Well, I'm so glad you asked.

1) Write to your legislators. Even if your legislators are on the "right" side of the issues, they still need to hear from their supporters. Trust me they are hearing from their tax increasers! We have 3 bills coming up in the next 10 days that combined will DWARF the spending and taxation in the Transit bill. Rep. Lenczewski's Tax bill will be introduced tomorrow (yes I will be watching and if there is anything of interest - and I am sure there will be - I will tell you all about it). Also coming up will be the Bonding Bill and a Universal Health Care bill. The Universal Health Care bill has the potential to make the Transit bill PALE in comparison. We simply can not roll over and quit. These bills must be stopped! The best way to stop them is to call, fax and email the Legislature! Tell them they have spent enough money already!

2) Support fiscal conservatives in this Legislative election. If there is not one running in your district - try running yourself! If you have a fiscal conservative running in your House district support means donating money to, campaigning for AND voting for that candidate. These candidates need all of the financial help and physical help that they can get. Call them and find out what you can do to get involved in their campaign.

3) Get involved in your BPOU. Again, they will need all the help (financial and physical) that they can get to try to get their endorsed candidates elected. They needs boots on the ground to deliver and set up signs and drop lit and work get out the vote. Get busy!

4) If you are in a district where the R doesn't stand a snowball's chance of being elected (Minneapolis and St. Paul) then see about helping in another district where they do stand a chance. There are a lot of Freshman DFL'ers that are going home to their districts after this vote and they are going to be vulnerable. HD40A (for example) is represented by DFLer Will Morgan. This is a traditionally conservative district. I am certain that SD40 would love to have a few extra bodies to help get this seat back.

Besides taking the politicians to task that are complicit in this, you could also write to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and let their leadership know that you will no longer be doing business with them and their members. A membership list can be found here and the email addresses of the President and Government Liason's can be found here.