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John Kline unwilling to stand up for Minnesota
After many years of bringing home the pork for his Republican friends and their pet projects, Rep. John Kline (R-MN-02) joined the latest Republican fad and swore off earmarks. Earmarks are the means by which Congress dishes out projects (like road and bridge work) to the states. During the heyday of Republican control of both houses of Congress, they funded bridges to nowhere. Kline is trying to look noble, but he's actually hurting his district. The Hastings bridge is a perfectly example. It is desperately in need of repair. But Kline refuses to stand up for his district and bring some federal dollars into his district. A constituent wrote a great letter to the editor of the Hastings Star-Gazette pointing this out.
By refusing to bring our tax dollars back to Minnesota, John Kline's message is loud and clear: "No, Minnesota. I will not fight for you, and I will not work for you."
We've put faith into his abilities to make our voices heard. We've trusted him to act in our best interests. But John Kline is no longer acting in the best interest of Minnesotans; he is working for those who are lining their pockets with your money.
He's giving tax breaks to those in the top income brackets, and you and I are paying for it. Our congressman has time and again chosen big oil's financial interests over yours and mine. In a time of economic decline, ask yourself why there are people who are unbelievably wealthy getting government benefits. It's because of politicians like John Kline.
If he looked in the face every individual he's letting down – every child he's denying health coverage, every citizen struggling to make ends meet, and every constituent he's disappointing – do you think John Kline would still make the decisions he does? Don't bother answering; Kline refuses to meet with constituents, having to be petitioned by 700 of them to hold a town hall meeting last year.
If you don't do your job, you get fired. Essentially, you and I are John Kline's bosses. Think about what John Kline has done for you, and you'll realize your employee is not fulfilling his duties.
It's time to stand up and say no to John Kline the way John Kline is saying no to Minnesota.
Brian J. Johnson
Cannon Falls
(Hastings Star-Gazette)
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Kline Protest results in 8% Cut in Federal Dollars for Minnesota
I wrote a commentary earlier specifically on Kline’s refusal to use Earmarks on Transportation Projects. What Kline is not telling the voters is that they are paying into the system, so by him protesting the system, he is creating a situation in which Minnesota donates 8% of our monies to other states. In this instance, Kline may be thinking that he is “saving” money, but in reality, Minnesota’s share of the pie is just smaller. No Tax Dollars Are SAVED !