state + local

Minnesota used to be a state that worked, because we used to be a state of Democrats who cared for each other. Now the selfishness that is the GOP pervades us, and we see things don't work well anymore. Surprise, surprise.

You Republicans who are so adamant that taxes won't be raised....remember that applies to a stadium as well. You won't tax your rich buddies but you are trying to tax the middle class!!

---some GOP lawmakers in the back of the stately reception room hissed and jeered at him.---And they want everyone to think they are the adults in this conversation with that type of behavior? Wow. Not much better then the Joe Wilson "you lied". I doubt you'll hear a Zellers or Koch reprimand.

"I just got back from the Branding Iron restaurant, had their Friday cod and they're saying 'Hang in there. ... Don't you dare raise my taxes...'" Why do I doubt that anyone eating cod on a Friday at that restaurant is in danger of having their taxes raised by the Democrats?

The Dayton shutdown is all about winning the next election for the DFL. Proof once again that the Democrats could care less about the middle class and lower paid workers in this state.

Like Wisconsin and other states that have new GOP "firebrands" in office (thanks to demoralized Democrats who stayed home in 2010), Minnesota is seeing what this new breed of politicians has to offer. Since January we've endured arrogant House and Senate leaders who can't see beyond their own back yards, think the southern economic system is something to emulate, and seem to have no awareness that we all sign their paychecks. State elected leaders are there to make policies that benefit our state as a whole, not to serve a narrow interest group. Greed is such an ugly thing.

Minnesota used to be a state that worked because both parties cared about the people. Now it's all about the parties and winning elections and to h--- with the people.

Dayton has been compromising all along - increasing the cuts he would permit and reducing the number of people subject to the new tax bracket. What has the GOP offered? Not asking for new tax breaks - the equivalent of your eight-year-old saying he's saving you money by not asking for a new bike. And the "tobacco bonds"? Two years ago, when Pawlenty proposed those bonds, it was calculated that it would cost an additional $600 million to create and service the debt on that $1 billion in bonds. Some financial prowess, GOP.

Asked if he was doing the right thing by leading the state in short-term pain, the governor replied: "I pray for that wisdom every morning and every night." ------------ Wow, sure is comforting that he can't even answer the question. Go Twins!

The only reason we're having this conversation is because of the Rochester sore-loser Rinos who encouraged Republicans and Independents to vote for someone other than the Republican candidate.