John Kline, Representative from Minnesota’s Second Congressional District decided not to submit any appropriations requests this year. From his Congressional website
WASHINGTON — Congressman John Kline (R-MN) issued a statement today regarding earmarks in the appropriations process:
“At the beginning of the 110th Congress I decided not to submit any appropriations requests for projects until integrity is restored to the earmarking process. That integrity is not yet restored. Therefore I have requested no earmarks in any of this year’s appropriations bills.”
This is surprising, because last year he was proud to announce earmarks in the appropriations process!
BURNSVILLE — Congressman John Kline (R-MN) joined Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson Tuesday, March 21, at the State Capitol in St. Paul to announce that Minnesota is receiving $12.5 million from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for improvements at veterans homes in Hastings and Silver Bay….
“This is a fine example of our state and federal agencies working together…” Congressman Kline said.
Come on kids, you know what’s changed in the meantime. Representative Kline isn’t in the majority! Representative Kline either picked a really awkward time to decide that the ‘integrity’ of the appropriations process was in question. Or he’s just playing a silly sanctimonious game. Sure I’m biased, but I’m going with “silly sanctimonious game.”
Just a few days before this story hit, I received a Google news update on Representative Kline:
Left-turn lane to be added to U.S. 61 at Frontenac Station
“…. Four and a half years have past since 16-year-old Lisa Klennert died after the car she was riding in was rear-ended by a semitrailer on U.S. 61 near Britania Avenue in Frontenac Station….
Two years later, on Aug. 22, 2005, Rep. John Kline announced at a Florence township meeting that Congress had appropriated $640,000 to be used specifically for highway improvements in Frontenac. That was later reduced to $545,000. The balance, $455,000 of the estimated $1 million project, would be funded by the MnDOT.”
This is a great example of what the appropriations process can do right. A local need was remedied with a little support from the Federal Government. It’s not a bridge to nowhere, it’s not a fake rainforest in east Iowa, it’s widening a dangerous intersection. And now that he’s on the minority end of the appropriations process? Well, then he’s just going to pack up his ball and go home!
If you believe it took him 4 full years to realize this, 4 full years where he exploited the policies, 4 full years of silence at the orgiastic spending of his Republican chums, 4 full years of pimping out the bacon he brought home without a pang of guilt, and that now, miraculously when his party isn’t setting spending priorities he’s grown a backbone and stood up for what he believes in? If you believe all of that, I’ve got a bridge I want to talk to you about.
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so he shouldnt have gotten money for the Veterans Homes?? dont worry, Jim Oberstar will spend enough for all 8 CDs combined..mostly on boondoggles
Shallow Sean, are you just about name calling?? or do will you ever post anything of substance, i find it very hard to believe you were anti government at some point,
“Shallow Sean, are you just about name calling??”
No john, you are.
Sean,
John is right - you can make your point without belittling a decorated military veteran like John Kline. The name calling is questionable at best because it has nothing to do with the point you’re trying to make.
By the way, I think it’s hilarious that you people on the left are complaining about the Star Tribune. After decades of printing DFL press releases, conducting phony polls and having one of the most far left editorial pages in the country, the strib has finally had a few reporters cover Republicans and you guys go crazy. It’s supposed to be a newspaper not a Minneapolis version of The Nation.
Whiny trolls will continue to be ignored, as previously stated. Even more ignored are quivering lips.
Chris, it would be one thing if Kline’s miltiary record was being belittled - i.e., the Col. Klink reference on Rowley’s website last year. There is nothing wrong with belittling Kline for his shameless hypocrisy on the earmarks issue.
Uh, care to discuss the Democrats’ shameless hypocrisy on not instituting pay-go reform when they promised they would before last year’s election?
John Kline has decided that he will oppose any Bills that happen the need to spend money where it needs to be spent so that Bush can continue to ask for MEGA BILLIONS for his Iraq War. That is what it amounts too.
Damn poor children!! Damn Transportation Infrastructure!! Damn having Cleaner Air and Water!! Damn the funding for Police and other First Responders! But KEEP THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR BUSH’S WAR!!!!
Um, newsflash to Kathy: Your Democrat-led Congress does not have to fund *Bush’s War* if it so chooses not to. See, it’s this nifty thing called the Constitution that grants Congress the power to fund wars.
But I suppose that’s too much to ask for from your party leadership, isn’t it? After all, many in your party voted for *Bush’s War*, yet when things got tough, they bailed. Now that Democrats have the power to de-fund the war, they won’t do it, despite the lofty promises to end the war if elected to the majority.
“…you can make your point without belittling a decorated military veteran like John Kline.”
You know, Republicans bring this up only when it helps them. Talk about Jack Murtha and his equally decorated service is conveniently forgotten.
I respect Representative Kline’s service, but it is no excuse, it is no magic cure for his less than stellar record as a congressman (the most ambitious legislation that he’s sponsored was the bill to put Ronald Reagan’s face on the 50). It is no excuse, it is no response when his actions as a congressman can only be described as childish. His side lost and now he’s going to go home and take his ball with him.
John Kline has been a mediocre congressman — the legislation he has carried has been reasonably unimpressive, and this stunt, and thats all it is, a stunt deserves to be called what it is. It’s a game that you’d expect out of petulant child, not out of a Congressman.
It’s a shame we’ll never get to know what Rep. Kline would have done had his team stayed in power, but we know what he’s done when they lost. He retreated from the field and pouted.
The Democrats have done more to ensure accountability in the earmarks process and to reform the process itself than the Republicans did while Kline was a big ol’ pork loving member hisself. But now that he gets to find out what it’s like to not set the priorities — it’s like the road to Damascus! It’s an epiphany — now he tells us, the system is broken.
He didn’t seem to care when he benefited, and you actually believe him when he now says, ramrod straight, that by gosh, he’s a changed man. Sean
No mater what, the Democratic majority in both Houses will be DAMNED by the President and Republicans running for Office no matter what they do. The Democrats will and are being labled “Unpatriotic” to the Troops. It’s the Troops who are being used as Political Collateral by the GOP in this war to keep the funding pipeline open. For it was the Bush Policies that put the Troops in Iraq in the first place!!!
This war in Iraq SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN STARTED in the first place!!! The emphasis should have remained in Afghanistan and Diplomacy with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and assisiting European and Asian nations regarding Terrorism.
Bush has not come out and detailed where all the money is coming from!! How many BILLIONS have been borrowed from China and elsewhere?? We all should realize that this war will be paid for in higher taxes to the Middle Class, by our children and Grandchildren, loss of funding for necessary Domestic programs, while asking for and assuring that the Rich and Rich Coorporations continue to get more Tax Breaks.
Great response Sean!!!
Kathy,
The troops are being uses as political capitol by both parties. The democrats who say they are for bringing home the troops and vote to continue funding are political cowards. They have allowed their fear of the political consequences of their actions to keep them from doing what they feel is the right thing. Why are they afraid of being damed by the Republicans on their war policy when the war is so unpopular? My guess is that it is because they need the war as an issue during the presidential race and would hate to see it end sooner.
What is worse supporting a war that you truly believe in no matter how misguided or supporting a war that you publicly condemn because it will help you get elected next round?
Bravo, Sean.
I would again note for the record that when earmark reform came up in this very Congress, John Kline voted no. If he really wanted a better process, he would have put his vote where his mouth is, but instead we see this is nothing more that a stunt. And a stunt that screws over his district.
Support Steve Sarvi!
I submitted the following to the Strib yesterday; maybe those pinko/commies will print it tomorrow??!?
To The Editor:
As a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans, I am well aware of John Kline’s dismal record for supporting veterans. Now, John Kline has decided he won’t support his district, let alone our great state.
Minnesota gets back roughly 70 cents for every dollar we send to Washington DC. By not fighting for necessary earmarks, John Kline ensures Minnesota will not get our fair share of tax expenditures and we will continue to subsidize other states. What John Kline really said in Monday’s story is that’s just fine, with him.
Respectfully,
(The ol’ TwoPutter)
For John Kline, Norm Cleman, and Amy Klobuchar’s DAV Voting record, link here: http://capwiz.com/dav/officials/congress/?lvl=C&only_votes=1&azip=55306&x=8&y=7
We only get 70 cents of our tax dollar back for two reasons. The first is that there is a certain amount of waste so the money goes nowhere but down a hole. the other reason is that with a progressive tax system more wealthy states, like Minnesota, help support less wealthy states, like Alabama. So if you are in favor of a progressive tax system don’t start complaining when the fact you are part of a relatively wealthy demographic, a Minnesotan, means you don’t get your fare share of the government handouts. You can thank Roosevelt and LBJ for that.
Kathy,
Nice whining about the war. Our budget is almost 3 trillion a year. If that’s not enough for the kids and all of the other groups you spend money on, I don’t know what is.
Sean,
I’m glad you brought up Murtha. He said the surge is working in Iraq much to the dismay of San Fran Nan. Since belittling is okay with you, I thought I would try it too.
San Fran Nan? I never knew the Speaker of the House was a Speak Easy-era Dilettante! Sean
Kline, Bachmann, and Coleman are Minnesota’s charter members of the RoadBlock Republicans. All of them vote whatever way they are told to vote. Their loyalty lies with Bush and the Republican party, not Minnesota/America.
Once again Bush is poised to veto S-Chip, a reworked bi-partisan bill. The bill is veto proof in the Senate, so Coleman is a non-issue on this one. However, the House is not, with Kline and Bachmann voting with, surprise, surprise Bush.
Will this bill cover some adults, Yes.
Will this bill cover some children whose parents make more than $50,000, Yes.
Will this bill cover some non US citizens, Yes.
Will this bill make for a healthier Minnesota/America, Yes.
Will the middle class and working families of Minnesota/America benefit from this bill, Yes
Call Bush’s buddies and tell them to vote for the override.
How much of that 3 trillion goes for the war , tax cuts, corporate welfare, and bail outs? The Bush administration has spent more money and increased the size of government more than any modern President. When he leaves office on (happy happy joy joy) 1/20/09 his current budget for just 3 items, tax cut(for upper 1%), part D (insurance/drug co.), and his privatization plan for social security(wall street) will cost over 750 billion and it could be higher.
Money for tax cuts, corporations, and the war but none for the children.
Bush takes care of his own and the rest of us be dammed.
As for the surge , if it working then it should be time to come home.
Build bridges in Minnesota, not Iraq.
HCDFL,
First, it’s pretty clear from your comment that you want a welfare state. The very reasons you list in favor of SCHIP are the reasons to vote against it. It covers adults, not children (strike one). It covers people who should be able to afford their own health care (strike two). It covers illegal immigrants (strike three).
As for the idea that there is money for tax cuts, that’s crazy. Actually it’s socialism. The whole notion that the government spends money to “give” tax cuts is ludicrous. The government doesn’t “give” tax cuts it just takes less of your own money.
HCDFL, it’s the people’s money not the government’s. Your idea that we are spending all the money on the war is equally absurd. In a three trillion dollar budget, less than ten percent is going to the war. I say let’s build bridges in Minnesota not bike trails and other frivilous federal spending.
P.S. HCDFL,
Roadblock Republicans, huh? Well considering that the Democrats have a lock control of the House and budget bills are not subject to the filibuster in the Senate, it’s pretty amazing that Congress has not been able to pass one single budget and send it to the President. Congress is going to be going home for the Christmas recess and we are at risk of the federal government shutting down. Since you love government so much, that should bother you.
As I recall most Democrats voted to authorize and continue to vote for funding the war. Until they change their voting patterns neither they or their supporters can complain about the costs.
K.H.
I live in America, we have the right to speak out against our government. Republicans like to sit back and do what their told by their party, Democrats like hold their legislator’s/government’s feet to the fire. This year I have only contributed to county units and senate districts . When the DNC calls, I tell them when they start doing the job they were elected to do, I will contribute, but right now I’m not getting the bang for my buck. As far as I know, Bush hasn’t fully taken away my 1st amendment right, so I will continue to make sure my voice is heard, agree or disagree, because I am an American 1st and a Democrat 2nd.
Chris-back to you later.
HSDFL,
I should have chosen my words a little more carefully. I in no way meant that Democrats who support those that voted for the war and to continue it’s funding should not have the right to speak. Just that they are hypocrites when they do.
Those who supported the war at any point did so based on a combination of fear and stupidity. Franken, Hillary, Waltz and many other Democrats want to have their cake and eat it too by claiming to want the war to end and saying that it is a disaster but refusing to do what they can to change things. In the end it won’t matter because hard core party believers will vote for whatever person their party puts in front of them. That type of sheep mentality is what gave the war such wide spread support in the first place.
You want to blame somebody at this point for bad spending priorities you can start with the Democratic congress who has continued a year after taking office to give Bush whatever he wants for the war. The Republicans were elected for the most part by people who still support our efforts in Iraq and are therefore representing their constituents. The Democrats are the ones screwing over their supporters.
HCDFL:
Please keep posting here. It’s great to hear HUMAN thought from people like you and Kathy. You need not waste your time responding to Chris…he’s been bashing the Democrats on this blog for awhile now — just another Republican tool (and I believe he listens to Rush Limbaugh — that should tell you all you need to know).
Keep fighting the good fight…the fight for PEOPLE…
Ruthie,
Thanks, It’s good to know that there are other Minnesotans out there who get it.
Chris,
You must be a very fortunate individual. To have never had a family member, friend or neighbor struggle without health care/insurance. I once had a great job with benefits, then to increase shareholder profits, my job went to China. Many of the employees there were in their 50s ,loyal employees for over thirty years, who all of a sudden were without a job/health insurance. I know, I know they could have continued their insurance using COBRA, but at $1500-$2000 a month for coverage it was to costly. Now there weren’t many good paying jobs left in my community and of those few were willing to hire older employees. Today these older employees are now the Americans that Bush has proudly called “fortunate” because they get to have three jobs. No mention of the fact that three jobs are needed to makes meet, and to cover the cost of a high deductible($5000-$10,000) private insurance, if they can find one because of pre-existing conditions . They have fought in our wars, they have paid their taxes and now they need their countries help. These are a just a few of the adults that S-Chip would benefit. I’m sure we all know the standard Republican line, that it is “our” money. Well it’s time we started to spend some of “our” money on our own citizens and their fundamental right to health care.
Chris,
Why is it so wrong for the government to step in and help provide for this right?
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, what do those words mean to you?
How long can we continue to throw good money after bad on Bush’s folly in Iraq, and btw, wasn’t their OIL suppose to pay for the war anyway?
Bush’s tax cuts have added to the deficit, doesn’t that mean that they are costing our government money?