The fox and the hen house

"Oh, Bill Davis had all the 'right stuff'. Not only was he a life long DFL guy, he also was heavily involved in the local NAACP."

We have been warned about this. More than once. It happens in just about every city which has allowed itself to become totally blue. Not purple, but blue. I have harped on this issue before. Finding a card carrying Republican serving in the city government of Minneapolis is like finding a needle in a haystack. Or a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You get the picture.

So we recently found out that one of the "respected" non-profit in Minneapolis was being run by a "bigger than life" DFL guy. Oh, Bill Davis had all the "right stuff". Not only was he a life long DFL guy, he also was heavily involved in the local NAACP. So to have him run this large non-profit called Community Action of Minneapolis, seemed like a slam dunk. This large non-profit was going to hand out money to poor folks in the community, and life was going to be sunshine and lolly pops.

However, according to a columnist in the local paper today (and this guy is NOT a right wing writer), the warning signs had been going up for a long time about this non-profit. In fact, some things just plain stunk. But (and this is the important part), rather than investigate what the Sam Hill was going on, the DFL machine just circled the wagon. AND, if you happened to be white and questioned some of the transactions of this non-profit, it is reported this larger than life CEO would badger and bully you until you backed off.

Well, there is an old saying about corruption. Once you get into the shallow end of the pool, it is a short trip to the deep end. Before anyone knew it, Bill Davis as well as his son were in way over their heads. The evidence of mismanagement kept piling up until it was no longer able to be concealed or ignored. And once the lid came off, it was discovered how much money which should have gone to poor folks, went to lavish lifestyles instead. 

Now he had plead guilty to multiple charges. He deserves to so some serious time. His lawyer, a well know DFL operative, is going to ask for leniency. You know - he was a good man with good intentions. He just stepped of the curb for a little while. Gag me with a spoon.

So for my single party enthusiasts who believe the Governor, House, Senate, Mayor, City Council and so on should be run by the DFL, this should be a case in point. Where there are no checks and balances, corruption finds a comfortable breeding ground. In other words, with the fox guarding the hen house, the hens are in grave danger.

Just so you don't think I am being unfair to just talk about the DFL, let me say this. I suppose it is possible if everything were run by the Republicans, there could be corruption there also. Possible, but not probable. 

Gentrification City

"And in a city with leads the nation in the "achievement gap", Minneapolis has become very good in producing poor folk."

Gentrification. A big word for a growing problem. More and more cities are catching this disease. And Minneapolis is a poster child for it. You know Minneapolis, with its starry eyed Euphorian Mayor. The Mayor who loves to say "Brag Minneapolis" as it is such a nice place to live. That is....if you are part of the well healed class.

However, gentrification causes a huge problem with many. And in a city with leads the nation in the "achievement gap", Minneapolis has become very good in producing poor folk. And then what do we do with them? They really don't fit the mold of "Brag Minneapolis". Not by a long shot.

Here are some statistics which should give the city planners in Minneapolis some pause. The poverty rate in Minnesota remains at 11%. That is one of ten people living in poverty. And whether folks like to admit it or not, much of the poverty that exists in Minnesota resides within the Twin Cities. And the poverty is not fair either. It hits the non-white segment at a much higher rate than the white sector. About four times higher.

Chicago is a great example of a city which has been "hollowed out" due to gentrification. They have stuck their poor folk in fine places, the likes of the former Cabrini Green. So Chicago is split between the "Miracle Mile" folks, and the poor folks stuck living in the shooting gallery. In fact, the poor sections of Chicago are so bad right now, it is more deadly than living in a combat zone. Since 2001, the number of US troops killed in Afghanistan was been 2,000. During the same time frame, the number of people killed by gunfire in Chicago has been 5,000.

What is Minneapolis doing to ensure they do not become another Chicago? Not much. In fact, today in the newspaper was an article about another high buck condo tower which is going to be built in town. Forty stories of wealth and affluence. Probably high security to keep "those other people" out.

Well Mayor Betsy, here is a news flash. Those "other people" need a decent place to live also. If you keep sticking them in sink hole type neighborhoods, the abject poverty they are subject to most always leads to more crime.

And as most of us know, the downward cycle of poverty and crime is a tough one to break out of. In fact, most never do. It becomes generational. 

Obama's Economy

"Every business, store or eating establishment should have a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Not for additional employees, but for much needed economic reform."

We were out and about during lunch hour today. While out, we grabbed a bite to eat at LeAnn Chins, that good old Minnesota based restaurant. Big sign as we were about to open the door - "Help Wanted - $12/hour". It is a familiar sign. We see it all over. In fact, it is rare that we go into a store or restaurant without seeing that type of a sign.

As we finished our lunch and were getting ready to leave, we noticed the store right across from the restaurant. It also had a sign in the window - "Going out of business. Everything must go". As we got into the car, a thought flashed through my mind. This is Obama's American. Obama's economy. The avalanche of stores and restaurants who cannot find people willing to work for $12/hour. The stores and shops going out of business. Empty stores who have already gone out of business. The foreclosed houses in many of our neighborhoods.

Next we stopped at Walmart to pic up a couple of items. Yes, we were again by the now ubiquitous "Help Wanted" sign. On our way out, we walked by the electronics department. There was an aisle display set up for some type of off brand printers. The banner sign said they could print, scan and copy. And they were less than $35. My guess is they were made in China. Rather than make them in the US and sell them for $100 or so to cover costs, we are buying them from a overseas location for $35. This is what our trade deals have become.

Every business, store or eating establishment should have a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Not for additional employees, but for much needed economic reform. We are in a different kind of malaise than after the Carter Administration. We are in the malaise of low expectations. Low GDP, low wages, low or no hope, and no imagination.

When my Dad first retired, I remember him saying that every day is like a Saturday. I can truthfully say that now. When we are out and about, the traffic, the stores, the parking lots are just as busy as they are on Saturday.

Obama's America. Obama's economy. Working is so yesterday. And socialism is now so cool with our young people. And as socialism draws every closer to America, it now seems to be just one more Executive Order away. 

Power and the powerful...

"We all remember that old adage, 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Well amen to that brother!"

So far, this has really be some election season. Seen some very odd and disturbing things. Once again, when all the chips are on the table, the party which I am stuck with supporting seems to trip over untied shoes right out of the starting gate. Yesterday, I addressed how people who ignore the ENDORSEMENT process make a mockery out of our grassroots process. Today, I will share my ideas on the "why".

We all remember that old adage, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". Well amen to that brother! To be fair and square this morning, I am going to have to step of some toes on both sides of the line. Sorry - just trying to take what I think is a principled stand on this issue. So lets just go through a few names who seem to have this "thing" about getting and keeping power.

• Phyllis Kahn - Our version of Bernie Sanders has been in the state legislature for 40 years. That is a lifetime. During that period, the demographics of her district has changed quite a bit. It now is home to a large Somali population. Her primary opponent is Somali. One would think that Phyllis would step aside and let the new generation of leaders in her district emerge. Nope. She loves the power.
• Jim Abeler - One of the true RINOs in the House, he let his seat go to a young "up and comer". That was the right thing to do. Abeler then ran for the US Senate endorsement. Again, that was his right to do. However, when that did not pan out, he had his eye set on the now vacant SD35 Senate seat. SD35 had an endorsing convention and Abeler lost. Against the wishes of many in his BPOU, he went to primary and won. For the power he loves, he lost the support and respect of many in his BPOU.
• Tom Hackbarth - After over 20 years in the Minnesota House, many in his BPOU (my BPOU) felt it was time for Hackbarth to pass the torch. So there was an ENDORSING convention. Hackbarth agreed to abide by the results of the contest. And then Hackbarth lost and he reneged. Why? The power of being powerful. Citizen legislature be damned. His name is now toxic in his BPOU and the executive committee has issued Hackbarth a letter of censure.  
• Kurt Daudt - The most powerful Republican in the state really stepped in it during the ENDORSING process. Rather than staying neutral, he backed Tom Hackbarth. Then once Hackbarth decided to go back on his word, the Speaker is now sponsoring a fund raiser for this un-ENDORSED person. As a leader in the party, he of all people needs to follow the prescribed ENDORSEMENT process. Heck, we ENDORSED the Speaker at the convention.

Now comes the part where I need to step on more toes. The Speaker, who is ENDORSED by his BPOU has a recently surfaced primary challenger. A man I have never met. Many have never met. To be fair to the system, and if this man really would like to challenge the Speaker, wait until 2018 and do it the right way - using the ENDORSING process.

Finally our Congressman, Tom Emmer. Two years ago, he won the ENDORSMENT on the first ballot at the district convention. His challenger went on to primary him anyhow. This year, Emmer again won the ENDORSMENT on the first ballot. Again, this year's challenger wants to primary him. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!

Both in 2014 as well as 2016, once the ENDORSMENT process is over, it is time to coalesce around the victor. Get ready for the general. No wonder this party is so screwed up and continues to lose elections!

There. I got it off my chest once again. If I stepped on your toes, I am sorry. But I stand by everything I just wrote. Follow the damn system, or scrap it and come up with a new one. Until a new one is found, I am sticking with what we have.

Hope it was worth it...

"So everything was set in concrete for the general, right? Not so fast."

I almost named this article a waste of time, a waste of money. Not just for me, but for many others. And the way this has turned out, it made a liar out of me. Unintentional, but still a liar. How is that? Well, it all started on caucus night.

We had 104 people show up in our precinct. My wife and I were conveners. The amount of new comers we had was about 70%. That was so cool! It gave me a chance (as someone who is only slightly more seasoned then the newcomers), to explain the process. How important it is to run as a delegate to the BOPU convention. Where you can help ENDORSE our BPOU candidates. And then to get the chance to go on to the district convention. And then help ENDORSE the person running for our Congressional District.

Well shut my mouth and spank my butt! The person the BPOU ENDORSED to run against any Democrat in the general election is Cal Bahr. He won the ENDORSEMENT fair and square. How do I know? I was a teller, that is how.

And at the district convention, Tom Emmer won the ENDORSEMENT over AJ Kern. So everything was set in concrete for the general, right? Not so fast. It seems the rules change for those who are in power.

I wasted a Saturday and some coin (and I also helped out) at the BPOU convention. We ENDORSED. Waste of time, waste of money. Then I was a delegate to the district convention. We ENDORSED. Waste of time, waste of money.

My wife and I are retired and on fixed income. We really try not to waste money. To go through an entire ENDORSING process (TWICE) and have it ignored by our leaders is nothing but a waste. If I am a convener in 2018, I will be tempted to tell the folks the truth this time - don't bother going to the conventions. They don't matter.

As for me in 2016 - I am voting for the endorsed candidates. Call me stubborn, I don't care. If AJ beats Emmer, I am still writing in Emmer's name. If Cal Bahr loses to Hackbarth, I will either vote for the Democrat (yes, I am that pissed!), or write in Cal's name.

To our party's leaders, I am going to say something I seldom if never say on social media. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER! Seriously, this is for real! Follow the damn rules! Enough said - I am done.

Gun Grabbing 101

"We have dozens of gun laws on the books right now. Maybe we should enforce them better."

The gun grabbers are now out in full force. The "never let a good tragedy go to waste" crowd is up and at em. They don't really don't give a rip that the shootings in Orlando were done by a terrorist. He is not the enemy. In fact, he was just some conflicted young man. If he just could not have obtained a gun, he would have lived his life in harmony, sought the help he needed, and the birds would be singing every morning.

Welcome to la-la land. In fact yesterday, some knucklehead stood up in Congress and blabbed for hours, trying to get "meaningful" gun legislation passed. Here is the issue. We have dozens of gun laws on the books right now. Maybe we should enforce them better. Someone brought up a very good point recently. Rather than make guns illegal, we should make shooting someone illegal. Wait! It already is!

I am going to go through is one more time for the gun grabbers. They seem to have a real hard time learning this. So here we go:

• There is a reason we have the Second Amendment. No, it has nothing to do with hunting or target practice. It was included in our Bill of Rights to ensure the government, which is an instrument OF THE PEOPLE, did not become tyrannical. It is the ultimate check and balance. It is so important, so vital, it is the only one of our rights which contains the phrase "shall not be infringed". So those of you knuckleheads in Congress who wish to take this right away, first better take an American history class.
• 99.9999999% (or thereabouts) of all legal gun owners are law abiding citizens. The vast majority are licensed and trained. They take care of their fire arms. They store them securely at their residence. For example, mine are kept in a gun safe. I can access them easily, but nobody else can. I WILL NOT touch any gun I own if I have had a drop of alcohol. And that is common among legal gun owners. 
• I bring the above point up for a reason. Legal gun owners, as well as members of the NRA, are sick and tired of getting blamed for every nut job who kills someone with a gun. Time and time again, I read about someone getting out of prison early after shooting someone. I would love to see the gun laws enforced as follows: 1) Caught with an unlicensed gun, one year in jail. 2) Commit any crime with a gun, a minimum of 15 years in jail. 3) Shoot someone (non-lethal), 30 years in jail. 4) Kill someone - life with no chance of parole. 

There are many folks in this country who feel very strong about our God given or natural rights. Gun ownership, the right of self protection, is one of them. The millions of legal gun owners are not going to sit back quietly and let anyone confiscate their guns. As Charlton Heston famously said, someone would need to pry his gun out of his "cold, dead fingers".

   

The Sad Sack

"Our governor indeed reminds me of the Sad Sack. Oh, in so many ways."

Years ago, there was a comic strip about an Army private named the Sad Sack. He was always getting into some kind of trouble and really had problems figuring things out. Even the most simple things. Most of the time he looked just plain bewildered, and the troubles kept on piling up.

Our Governor indeed, reminds me of the Sad Sack. Oh, in so many ways. The picture above, is one of him and his minions looking frustrated and dejected by dealing with those rascally Republicans. Trying to get to a Special Session is really starting to look like a bridge too far.

And for this one silly little thing that the Governor wants. One stupid little train is holding everything up. And those stupid Republicans can't understand that spending just a few lousy million dollars, would get a boatload of "free money" from the Feds. And if we don't get it, the money might end up going to another "Euphorian" city.

So the Sad Sack will not call the Special Session. He will not sign a tax bill. He will not engage in a bonding bill. He will just get behind a microphone and mumble. And grumble. And there we have it. That is life in the VERY BLUE state of Minnesota. Land of the endless money trees. The land where we can elect a flawed person like Mark Dayton not once - but twice.

Well Mr. Sad Sack. Here is the deal. The minority (not majority) of companies are located downtown. Putting trains in that terminate downtown is a HUGE waste of taxpayer money. We need ROADS between suburbs. That is where the action is. But our Sad Sack does not realize that. Why? First he is Sad, and then a Sack (you fill in the rest).

So the Sad Sack can blame the Speaker and the Republicans all he wants. I for one, am giving the Speaker high marks for this session. Not a perfect outcome, but not bad. Sorry Sack - you are on the outside looking in. Most of us don't want your damn train! Get over it!