Today I sent an email to some of the state senators and representatives as well as to all of the DFL gubernatorial candidates. I included links to a U. S. legislative bill (H.R. 3974) called Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2009.
This is a bipartisan bill that is intended to increase awareness and prevention of a disease that is already afflicting over 5 million Americans. More than half of these Americans do not even know they are infected. This disease is hepatitis C. It's been a political hotcake for at least a decade.
Here's the text of the email I sent them:
Dear Candidates, Senators and Representatives,
As you may or may not know, hepatitis C is a growing concern. As Newsweek reported this week, the Baby Boomer generation is just beginning to find out that many of them have this virus. Please click on the links below and read the information regarding this virus and its implications, including the Newsweek article. There is currently a bill in Congress to address this very serious issue.
For those of you who are DFL gubernatorial candidates, please send me a statement concerning what you will do in Minnesota, as governor, to address this problem. The information I receive will be submitted to the reNEW Minnesota Campaign.
For more information on how this issue affects patients, the disparities involved and what could be done in Minnesota, please contact me at Colleen.S.Morse@gmail.com
Hepatitis C is a virus that is spread only through blood-to-blood contact. Methods of transmission include blood transfusions prior to 1992, hemodyalisis, sharing such personal items as toothbrushes, manicure scissors, tweezers, razors, etc., sharing of IV drug needles even if only one time a long time ago, sharing a straw to snort a drug even if only one time, tatoos received prior to the new laws regarding tatoo parlors, homemade tatoos, health care workers and any other type of blood-to-blood contact.
HIV has always received more funding than HCV even though there are four times as many people who have HCV. This is because activism for HIV funding has been strong and forceful. Currently at least 50% of HIV patients are co-infected with HCV. There have been many marches on Washington to create awareness regarding hepatitis C. Finally there is a bill in the House that addresses the problem.
The entire bill can be found here.
When the bill passses, it will help to avoid tens of billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs in the coming decade.
"We have a wave of chronic liver disease that will crash like a tsunami on the US healthcare system if we do not address this problem now," said Lorren Sandt, Chair of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable. "This important legislation will help identify the people who are chronically infected and get them into treatment, which can save millions in future healthcare costs."
Hepatitis C has an incubation period of several decades. People who contracted the virus in the 1960's started having complications in the form of liver disease in the 1990's and 2000's. Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and ultimately, complete liver failure. Hepatitis C is the largest cause of liver transplant in the United States.
Here's a link that I sent with my email.
And here's the link to the Newsweek article.
I highly recommend that everyone who may be at risk for hepatitis C read the Newsweek article.
As the gubernatorial candidates respond to me with their answers, I will submit those responses to the reNEW Minnesota Campaign. Since hepatitis C is a gigantic medical issue and is only going to get worse, and since this issue represents such a huge amount of money in health care costs, the responses of the would-be governors is of tremendous importance. We need to know which candidates take this disease seriously and which candidates will commit to having a viable plan to lessen the impact of it on Minnesotans.
If a campaign does not respond, that information will also be submitted. The reNEW Minnesota Campaign's goal is to elect a DFL governor who will adhere to the organization's vision, which includes living in a Minnesota where the inherent worth and dignity of every person is recognized without exception.
Showing posts with label reNEW Minnesota Campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reNEW Minnesota Campaign. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
reNEW Minnesota Campaign, January 12, 2010
Tonight I attended the second set of interview screenings of reNEW Minnesota. The gubernatorial candidates we screened this evening were Tom Bakk, John Marty, Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Steve Kelley. The format was the same as last time. Candidates came into the room (at the Rondo Community Outreach Library on Dale Street in St. Paul) one at a time. Various members took turns asking them questions on aspects of the reNEW Minnesota vision for Minnesota. Here's the paraphrased answers of each candidate, along with the questions they were asked.
Tom Bakk
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Bakk told about how he grew up in a church camp in northern Minnesota. This experience taught him about compassion and tolerance. He thinks that Minnesotans will accept a tax increase. He told us that he doesn't remember all the components of the reNEW Minnesota vision. He says the candidates have to go through a lot. He will, however, have an administration of inclusiveness. Basically, he did not answer the question.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? Bakk is the candidate who wants to have an honest coversation with Minnesotans about taxes. He's the Chair of the Senate Tax Committee. He kept telling us that. He still displays an aura of anger. He says Minnesota can't raise five billion dollars in revenue to pay off the deficit. We need jobs!
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? Bakk said that it's the governor who sets the tone. He stated that public opinion is very important at the Capital. As governor, he will advocate non-discrimination and promote gay marriage. He said that a big burly carpenter governor such as himself would be able to reach men who would otherwise think that real men don't support gay marriage.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? Bakk said he had lunch with former governor Wendell Anderson at the Lexington. They discussed why Minnesota hasn't elected a DFL governor in twenty years. Wendy said that our candidates haven't been genuine enough. If the people trust a candidate, they will give that candidate leeway on the issues. Genuineness is very important. Bakk told us that he is the best candiate. (They all say that.)
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? Bakk responded that each committee has a silo of priorities. Each committee has to decide on their biggest priorities. Bakk's biggest priority is jobs. He will focus on jobs and Minnesota businesses.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? Bakk is for growing trees. His district works the land. He's for small businesses and family farms. His heart broke when his community voted to close the school. They just couldn't feasibly keep it open. He will appoint a DFLer as the Commissioner of Agriculture. He will give the appointment to someone who comes from the agricultural community who has experience in farming. He would be willing to spend money in rural Minnesota for renewable energy with forestry.
Question #7: What will you do to help make an easier transion for exoffenders to reenter society? Bakk says there are way too many prisoners. We should rehabilitate them, not leave them in prison. He stated that many of them should not even be in prison.
Question #8: What will you do about the environment? He won't say that we shouldn't cut the trees down anymore, since forestry is a big part of his district. He really appreciates the beauty of nature. He lives on Lake Vermillion and wants it to remain pristine for his new grandson.
My impression: Tom Bakk was less gruff tonight than other times I've heard him speak. He smiled a lot more, too. He told the audience that he doesn't expect to get the reNEW Minnesota endorsement. It was decent of him to come, though. He said he hopes he gets it. You could tell by his demeanor that he really isn't counting on it. I think he lost the audience when he said he couldn't remember what all the points of the reNEW Minnesota philosphy are. I got the impression that most in the audience would be crossing him off their list of possible endorsements. I would like to add that I know Senator Bakk has worked very hard representing his district at the legislature. I also know that he understands taxes and the budget very well. He's got some good endorsements. He's just not what reNEW Minnesota wants in their top three candidates.
John Marty
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? John Marty has had the reNEW Minnesota vision for many, many years. He always supported the idea of ending poverty by 2020, yet really always wanted it to end right now. He said we can do it and we have to do it. He wants living wage jobs for everyone. He has worked hard as a state senator for this vision for 23 years. His campaign rhetoric has always been in favor of this. He fully agrees with the reNEW Minnesota vision of living in a state where the inherent worth and dignity of every person is recognized without exception.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? He stated that we must invest in taking care of problems up front. He voted against tax cuts. He's a firm believer in progressive taxes. He will bluntly say so and has done so at the legislature. Besides going back to a progressive tax system, he will also consider taxes on things that will change consumer behavior, such as a carbon tax.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? He will (and does) address all aspects of this issue. He truly believes in the inherent worth of everyone with no exceptions.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? He, as Wellstone did, has passion for his beliefs and the courage of his convictions. He knows that the biggest issue people have about him is that he ran for governor before and lost big. His response is that he was fifteen years ahead of his time back then. That's no longer true. The time is now! Minnesotans know there is something wrong with Minnesota and they're ready for a change. They're ready for Minnesota to do the right things again.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? Have the vision first, then govern around the vision. We together decide how to make it happen. We need the leadership of someone like Floyd B. Olson.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? He will appoint a Commissioner of Agriculture who believes in sustainable agriculture. That person must be able to address public health issues. He will choose someone from an organization such as Clean Water Action or the Farmers' Union.
Question #7: Discuss jobs for women and people of color and the role of MNDOT and METCOUNCIL. John Marty wants decent jobs for everyone regardless of gender, race or ethnicity. He will appoint a MNDOT commissioner who will adhere to this core principle. He will make sure that Metropolitan Council has people on the board who also share these humanitarian principles.
Question #8: Homelessness in Minnesota is becoming a big problem. People are losing their jobs and losing their homes. There are also over 4,000 homeless veterans in Minnesota. What, precisely, will you do to eliminate homelessness from Minnesota and what is your timeline? John Marty cares deeply about the homeless problem. As governor, he would give it a top priority. Shelter is a basic human need and no one deserves to be denied this basic necessity. He was very passionate about this. Many in the audience gave him a standing ovation.
My impression: I always liked John Marty. I really like his ideals, his passion for those ideals and the courage of his convictions. I, too, thought that perhaps he's too far left to get elected. I'm far left on these issues, too, but I know a lot of voters are not. On the other hand, if we keep thinking that way, we're playing right into the Republican ideas of greed and scarcity. We know that Minnesota has enough resources to solve the problems. We are tired of living in a state that doesn't seem to care about its poorest citizens. We are tired of living in a "Thank God that's not me" state. I have moved John Marty up to one of my top three candidates. He could really change this state around. He's got high morals and ethics, too, and doesn't take PAC money or money from lobbyists. When I really think about it, I'm getting awfully excited about the idea of a Minnesota such as John Marty envisions.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Margaret Anderson Kelliher stated that she supports things that lift people out of poverty. She fought to keep GAMC. She thinks that the Metropolitan Council should work with the Department of Education to get things done. She wants everyone in the state to share in future prosperity.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? We must stabalize the state budget and then focus on education. Kelliher wants fair taxes. She amused the audience when she said "Hark! I hear an echo!" This was in reference to a comparison between today and 1934. Kelliher also is in full support of the New Minnesota Miracle. She wants to first make taxes fair by making the wealthy pay their fair share. Hey! That's Dayton's line! We should just vote for him and be done with it.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? Kelliher said that we have to begin with respect for everyone. Our state government has to respect the diversity of Minnesota. The institutional barriers that she will prioritize are the poverty gap, the achievement gap and the racial gap.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? She claims to have a unique campaign differentiation in that she offers a different way of looking at Minnesota. She has lived for twenty years in rural Minnesota and twenty years in metropolitan Minnesota. If she is governor, her administration will not tolerate whiners (no room here for Matt Entenza). She will make sure that the governor and the legislature will come together to get the work done. She thinks that grassroots organization will get her elected. She will go anywhere to talk to people, including the quilt shop down the street.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? She told us that she has lots of ideas. I didn't catch what they were. I don't think she answered the question. Maybe she didn't understand it.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? This was a good question for Kelliher as she grew up on a dairy farm. (Did you know that?) She said that she will appoint a Commissioner of Agriculture who believes in organic family farming. She wants all her commissioners to have experience, expertise, and the ability to manage people. For Agriculture, she will look at people from such organizations as the Farmers' Union.
Question #7: What will you do to make sure that, as the new LRT route comes through the Rondo neighborhood, people of lower and moderate income and diverse cultures won't get displaced? Kelliher said that she wants the Met Council to work with the community to find workable strategies for all the issues that will arise.
Question #8: What will you do about the Health Care issue? She talked about the difference between health care and health insurance. She stated that health insurance no longer works. She believes that health care is a basic right. She fully supports the Minnesota Health Plan.
My impression: The audience seemed to be divided in half in regard to Kelliher. Some liked what she said; others thought she wasn't sincere and perhaps couldn't be trusted. One TakeAction member said that he really wanted to like her and support her but he was having a hard time doing so. I knew what he meant. I feel the same way. Kelliher has excellent communication skills. There's no doubt at all about that. Something is missing, though. I heard someone say that she's as close to being a Republican as a Democrat can get. Do they mean she's a Blue Dog Democrat? I don't know about that. I don't see it. On the other hand, I don't think that on the inside she's the most progressive of all the candidates. Sometimes I think she's saying what she thinks the audience wants to hear. She makes good points, as any good debater learns to do in order to win a debate, but I don't hear the sound of speaking from the heart. I don't hear the passion of John Marty. I don't hear the sincerity of Mark Dayton. I don't see the courage of her convictions. If she does win the DFL endorsement and the primary, I could support her at that point. But not before then. There are DFL candidates who would follow the vision better.
Steve Kelley
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Kelley talked about how to close the achievement gap. He didn't really answer the question of how he is putting the reNEW Minnesota vision into his campaign.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? He agrees that we need a progressive tax system. He supports a carbon tax. He stated that we must control inflation and health care costs.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? He embraces diversity in this state. He said that diversity makes us stronger. He wants to bring representatives of diverse groups into the government just as he has done in his campaign and continues to do.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? First, he will get the DFL endorsement. Then he will unite DFLers and Independents. He said that after the last guvernatorial race, many voters had "buyer's remorse." That got a chuckle from the audience.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? He will call on people all across Minnesota to make the vision happen. People have to make decisions on how to consume less energy. All of Minnesota has to come together to get things done. We have only one governor but we can have five million heros.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? Kelley talked about nutrition in schools. He stated that rural life is important and that we need to teach rural people about business and economic development. He wants to expand the broadband infrastructure of rural Minnesota communities. He asks who trusts in an agricultural community and then said that it's the people who are active in it.
Question #7: What will you do about burial sites for the Hmong community, particularly soldiers who fought alongside of us? Kelley didn't know that this was an issue but he is a support of burial rights for everyone. He will look into this issue further.
Question #8: What will you do to stop the unfair foreclosures? He supports the Homeowner/Lender Mediation Act to prevent premature foreclosures.
My impression: Steve Kelley has some good ideas and definitely understands budget issues. He's got the credentials, as he teaches a budget class at the Humphrey Institute. I don't think he will become on of reNEW Minnesota's top three candidates. He doesn't meet the criteria. For example, he does not support the Minnesota Health Plan. When MUHCC asked him this question: As governor would you sign the MN Health Act if it passed in the legislature? He replied to all the other questions on their survey but did not respond to that one.
My pick: Out of these four candidates, the only one I can pick for one of my top three candidates is John Marty. He's the only one who fully agrees with and supports all of the visions of the reNEW Minnesota Campaign. One audience member said it was like Paul Wellstone came back.
Tom Bakk
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Bakk told about how he grew up in a church camp in northern Minnesota. This experience taught him about compassion and tolerance. He thinks that Minnesotans will accept a tax increase. He told us that he doesn't remember all the components of the reNEW Minnesota vision. He says the candidates have to go through a lot. He will, however, have an administration of inclusiveness. Basically, he did not answer the question.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? Bakk is the candidate who wants to have an honest coversation with Minnesotans about taxes. He's the Chair of the Senate Tax Committee. He kept telling us that. He still displays an aura of anger. He says Minnesota can't raise five billion dollars in revenue to pay off the deficit. We need jobs!
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? Bakk said that it's the governor who sets the tone. He stated that public opinion is very important at the Capital. As governor, he will advocate non-discrimination and promote gay marriage. He said that a big burly carpenter governor such as himself would be able to reach men who would otherwise think that real men don't support gay marriage.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? Bakk said he had lunch with former governor Wendell Anderson at the Lexington. They discussed why Minnesota hasn't elected a DFL governor in twenty years. Wendy said that our candidates haven't been genuine enough. If the people trust a candidate, they will give that candidate leeway on the issues. Genuineness is very important. Bakk told us that he is the best candiate. (They all say that.)
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? Bakk responded that each committee has a silo of priorities. Each committee has to decide on their biggest priorities. Bakk's biggest priority is jobs. He will focus on jobs and Minnesota businesses.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? Bakk is for growing trees. His district works the land. He's for small businesses and family farms. His heart broke when his community voted to close the school. They just couldn't feasibly keep it open. He will appoint a DFLer as the Commissioner of Agriculture. He will give the appointment to someone who comes from the agricultural community who has experience in farming. He would be willing to spend money in rural Minnesota for renewable energy with forestry.
Question #7: What will you do to help make an easier transion for exoffenders to reenter society? Bakk says there are way too many prisoners. We should rehabilitate them, not leave them in prison. He stated that many of them should not even be in prison.
Question #8: What will you do about the environment? He won't say that we shouldn't cut the trees down anymore, since forestry is a big part of his district. He really appreciates the beauty of nature. He lives on Lake Vermillion and wants it to remain pristine for his new grandson.
My impression: Tom Bakk was less gruff tonight than other times I've heard him speak. He smiled a lot more, too. He told the audience that he doesn't expect to get the reNEW Minnesota endorsement. It was decent of him to come, though. He said he hopes he gets it. You could tell by his demeanor that he really isn't counting on it. I think he lost the audience when he said he couldn't remember what all the points of the reNEW Minnesota philosphy are. I got the impression that most in the audience would be crossing him off their list of possible endorsements. I would like to add that I know Senator Bakk has worked very hard representing his district at the legislature. I also know that he understands taxes and the budget very well. He's got some good endorsements. He's just not what reNEW Minnesota wants in their top three candidates.
John Marty
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? John Marty has had the reNEW Minnesota vision for many, many years. He always supported the idea of ending poverty by 2020, yet really always wanted it to end right now. He said we can do it and we have to do it. He wants living wage jobs for everyone. He has worked hard as a state senator for this vision for 23 years. His campaign rhetoric has always been in favor of this. He fully agrees with the reNEW Minnesota vision of living in a state where the inherent worth and dignity of every person is recognized without exception.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? He stated that we must invest in taking care of problems up front. He voted against tax cuts. He's a firm believer in progressive taxes. He will bluntly say so and has done so at the legislature. Besides going back to a progressive tax system, he will also consider taxes on things that will change consumer behavior, such as a carbon tax.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? He will (and does) address all aspects of this issue. He truly believes in the inherent worth of everyone with no exceptions.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? He, as Wellstone did, has passion for his beliefs and the courage of his convictions. He knows that the biggest issue people have about him is that he ran for governor before and lost big. His response is that he was fifteen years ahead of his time back then. That's no longer true. The time is now! Minnesotans know there is something wrong with Minnesota and they're ready for a change. They're ready for Minnesota to do the right things again.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? Have the vision first, then govern around the vision. We together decide how to make it happen. We need the leadership of someone like Floyd B. Olson.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? He will appoint a Commissioner of Agriculture who believes in sustainable agriculture. That person must be able to address public health issues. He will choose someone from an organization such as Clean Water Action or the Farmers' Union.
Question #7: Discuss jobs for women and people of color and the role of MNDOT and METCOUNCIL. John Marty wants decent jobs for everyone regardless of gender, race or ethnicity. He will appoint a MNDOT commissioner who will adhere to this core principle. He will make sure that Metropolitan Council has people on the board who also share these humanitarian principles.
Question #8: Homelessness in Minnesota is becoming a big problem. People are losing their jobs and losing their homes. There are also over 4,000 homeless veterans in Minnesota. What, precisely, will you do to eliminate homelessness from Minnesota and what is your timeline? John Marty cares deeply about the homeless problem. As governor, he would give it a top priority. Shelter is a basic human need and no one deserves to be denied this basic necessity. He was very passionate about this. Many in the audience gave him a standing ovation.
My impression: I always liked John Marty. I really like his ideals, his passion for those ideals and the courage of his convictions. I, too, thought that perhaps he's too far left to get elected. I'm far left on these issues, too, but I know a lot of voters are not. On the other hand, if we keep thinking that way, we're playing right into the Republican ideas of greed and scarcity. We know that Minnesota has enough resources to solve the problems. We are tired of living in a state that doesn't seem to care about its poorest citizens. We are tired of living in a "Thank God that's not me" state. I have moved John Marty up to one of my top three candidates. He could really change this state around. He's got high morals and ethics, too, and doesn't take PAC money or money from lobbyists. When I really think about it, I'm getting awfully excited about the idea of a Minnesota such as John Marty envisions.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Margaret Anderson Kelliher stated that she supports things that lift people out of poverty. She fought to keep GAMC. She thinks that the Metropolitan Council should work with the Department of Education to get things done. She wants everyone in the state to share in future prosperity.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? We must stabalize the state budget and then focus on education. Kelliher wants fair taxes. She amused the audience when she said "Hark! I hear an echo!" This was in reference to a comparison between today and 1934. Kelliher also is in full support of the New Minnesota Miracle. She wants to first make taxes fair by making the wealthy pay their fair share. Hey! That's Dayton's line! We should just vote for him and be done with it.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? Kelliher said that we have to begin with respect for everyone. Our state government has to respect the diversity of Minnesota. The institutional barriers that she will prioritize are the poverty gap, the achievement gap and the racial gap.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? She claims to have a unique campaign differentiation in that she offers a different way of looking at Minnesota. She has lived for twenty years in rural Minnesota and twenty years in metropolitan Minnesota. If she is governor, her administration will not tolerate whiners (no room here for Matt Entenza). She will make sure that the governor and the legislature will come together to get the work done. She thinks that grassroots organization will get her elected. She will go anywhere to talk to people, including the quilt shop down the street.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? She told us that she has lots of ideas. I didn't catch what they were. I don't think she answered the question. Maybe she didn't understand it.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? This was a good question for Kelliher as she grew up on a dairy farm. (Did you know that?) She said that she will appoint a Commissioner of Agriculture who believes in organic family farming. She wants all her commissioners to have experience, expertise, and the ability to manage people. For Agriculture, she will look at people from such organizations as the Farmers' Union.
Question #7: What will you do to make sure that, as the new LRT route comes through the Rondo neighborhood, people of lower and moderate income and diverse cultures won't get displaced? Kelliher said that she wants the Met Council to work with the community to find workable strategies for all the issues that will arise.
Question #8: What will you do about the Health Care issue? She talked about the difference between health care and health insurance. She stated that health insurance no longer works. She believes that health care is a basic right. She fully supports the Minnesota Health Plan.
My impression: The audience seemed to be divided in half in regard to Kelliher. Some liked what she said; others thought she wasn't sincere and perhaps couldn't be trusted. One TakeAction member said that he really wanted to like her and support her but he was having a hard time doing so. I knew what he meant. I feel the same way. Kelliher has excellent communication skills. There's no doubt at all about that. Something is missing, though. I heard someone say that she's as close to being a Republican as a Democrat can get. Do they mean she's a Blue Dog Democrat? I don't know about that. I don't see it. On the other hand, I don't think that on the inside she's the most progressive of all the candidates. Sometimes I think she's saying what she thinks the audience wants to hear. She makes good points, as any good debater learns to do in order to win a debate, but I don't hear the sound of speaking from the heart. I don't hear the passion of John Marty. I don't hear the sincerity of Mark Dayton. I don't see the courage of her convictions. If she does win the DFL endorsement and the primary, I could support her at that point. But not before then. There are DFL candidates who would follow the vision better.
Steve Kelley
Question #1: The Politics of Inclusion. Since the reNEW Minnesota kickoff campaign, what have you done to enact the vision and how have you incorporated it into your campaign? Kelley talked about how to close the achievement gap. He didn't really answer the question of how he is putting the reNEW Minnesota vision into his campaign.
Question #2: What will you do about taxes and Minnesota's educational system? He agrees that we need a progressive tax system. He supports a carbon tax. He stated that we must control inflation and health care costs.
Question #3: What will you do about racial discrimination and disparities? He embraces diversity in this state. He said that diversity makes us stronger. He wants to bring representatives of diverse groups into the government just as he has done in his campaign and continues to do.
Question #4: How will you win? What strategies will you use? First, he will get the DFL endorsement. Then he will unite DFLers and Independents. He said that after the last guvernatorial race, many voters had "buyer's remorse." That got a chuckle from the audience.
Question #5: How will you keep your eye on our vision and prioritize? He will call on people all across Minnesota to make the vision happen. People have to make decisions on how to consume less energy. All of Minnesota has to come together to get things done. We have only one governor but we can have five million heros.
Question #6: On Agriculture: What will you do to put family farms above corporate farms? Kelley talked about nutrition in schools. He stated that rural life is important and that we need to teach rural people about business and economic development. He wants to expand the broadband infrastructure of rural Minnesota communities. He asks who trusts in an agricultural community and then said that it's the people who are active in it.
Question #7: What will you do about burial sites for the Hmong community, particularly soldiers who fought alongside of us? Kelley didn't know that this was an issue but he is a support of burial rights for everyone. He will look into this issue further.
Question #8: What will you do to stop the unfair foreclosures? He supports the Homeowner/Lender Mediation Act to prevent premature foreclosures.
My impression: Steve Kelley has some good ideas and definitely understands budget issues. He's got the credentials, as he teaches a budget class at the Humphrey Institute. I don't think he will become on of reNEW Minnesota's top three candidates. He doesn't meet the criteria. For example, he does not support the Minnesota Health Plan. When MUHCC asked him this question: As governor would you sign the MN Health Act if it passed in the legislature? He replied to all the other questions on their survey but did not respond to that one.
My pick: Out of these four candidates, the only one I can pick for one of my top three candidates is John Marty. He's the only one who fully agrees with and supports all of the visions of the reNEW Minnesota Campaign. One audience member said it was like Paul Wellstone came back.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
reNEW Minnesota Campaign Health Equity Event, December 15, 2009
ReNew Minnesota Campaign is part of TakeAction Minnesota. The reNEW Minnesota Campaign was launched at a kickoff on September 26, 2009, at Arlington High School in St. Paul. The picture above is from the Health Equity Event that was held on December 15, 2009, at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. The picture directly below is from the kickoff event.
Mark Dayton, 2010 gubernatorial candidate, speaks at the reNEW Minnesota Campaign kickoff.
Let's talk about what happened at the Health Equity Event on December 15.
The event was opened by Gene Nichols. Gene told the audience of how he used to be so proud to be a Minnesotan. Now he's very disappointed with Governor Pawlenty. He's disappointed with health inequities. And he's disappointed and angry about the demise of GAMC. All reNEW Minnesota members are disappointed and angry about these things.
Next, Elizabeth Towle told the audience about the Indian health disparities and about the racism that is directed against the Indian community. Elizabeth agrees with the reNEW philosophy that all Minnesotans are in this together. We believe that the inherent worth and dignity of everyone must be recognized with no exceptions. She talked about the many medical disparities that Indians face. For example, the Indian community has the highest rate of suicide. And with the eradication of GAMC, many will have no medical care at all. There are lots of people in this community who are not helped by the Indian Health Board. Elizabeth told a powerful story. We all need to listen.
After that, Nancy Pomplun spoke about Asian health disparities. She also gave information about health data and why we need detailed racial and ethnic data. This should be a mandatory data collection (mandatory for the state to collect it; not mandatory for any individual to participate, as Mark Dayton so accurately pointed out). Currently there are only five race categories and only two ethnic categories. (There are several organizations that currently collect data. The problem is that no two of them collect it in the same way. The Minnesota Department of Health Division of Health Policy is looking into this and is starting to do something about it.) Nancy reminded us that solving health disparities begins with collecting this type of data.
The next speaker was Valory Belton. Valory is an African American woman who suffers from hypertension. She pointed out that 44% of black American women have hypertension while only 28% of white American women have it. She spoke of research that suggests that racism can cause stress which can in turn cause certain hormones to raise blood pressure. She also mentioned how the Sage Program (MDH section of Cancer Control) is instrumental in making sure that low income women get mammograms at no cost. (There is also a sister program that provides PAP tests.)
After this first part of the evening's program was finished, Marc Drummond (TakeAction Minnesota, Woodbury) stepped forward. He stated that our health care system should include everyone. He also said that he is sick and tired of elected officials not keeping their campaign promises. (At that point I was thinking how Mark Dayton always keeps his promises with no excuses and no exceptions.)
Next, Marc Drummond moderated the gubernatorial candidates as they each answered one question. All the candidates had to answer the same question and had three minutes in which to do so. Eight of the DFL gubernatorial candidates were present. Only Tom Bakk and Susan Gaertner were missing. There was only one GOP candidate. All the GOP candidates were invited, but only Leslie Davis showed up.
This was the question: What would you do, as Governor, to remedy the racial inequities in health in Minnesota?
Here is how the various candidates answered (not verbatim, but paraphrased in my note-taking words):
R. T. Rybak - As mayor of Minneapolis, he has worked with people who are victims of health disparities. He believes in universal health care and stresses that prenatal care and early childhood immunizations are essential. He stated that we cannot separate health disparities from other disparities such as housing, jobs and food access. I got the sense that Rybak kind of understands the reNEW Minnesota vision, but not entirely. I think he misses part of the point.
Leslie Davis (the only GOP candidate present) - He says that people don't know where money comes from. He has a plan to balance the budget. He states that Minnesotans need to eat right, especially in schools. He wants to get rid of pollution in the cities because he thinks pollution can cause bad health. He has an underground water plan. He has a plan that will pay for GAMC. As a Republican, I don't believe that Davis understands the impact of the reNEW Minnesota vision or what it encompasses. He doesn't seem to get it. He talks about eating right. How does he expect certain people to do that when they can't even afford to buy the food they need?
Matt Entenza - He started right out talking about his alcoholic father and how he left the family. He talks about this at every forum and debate. I thought it was inappropriate here. He thinks this will make people empathize with him because they'll think he knows where they are coming from. He's a multi-millionaire now. No one cares about his childhood now. What we care about is how he is going to get rid of health inequities for the poorest and most neglected Minnesotans. Entenza stated that he remembered having bronchitis and his mother told him he had to get better because they had no money for a doctor. And now he's name dropping again about the minority legislators who are supporting him. He's not really answering the question. I don't think he really understand the reNEW Minnesota vision and focus. He did say that he wants everyone to have health care. Every DFLer agrees with that.
Paul Thissen - He stated that health disparities are a long dark shadow on health care. He says that Minnesota is only 17th in health equity among all states. He further states that 15% of blacks but only 6% of whites lack health insurance. He was emphatic that outreach is critical. He said that Minnesota has done a good job in reducing infant mortality in diverse cultures. I get the sense that Thissen understands the reNEW Minnesota vision fairly well.
Steve Kelley - I should have sat in the back of the room. Kelly always speaks so loudly. He was so loud that it made me not want to listen. I did anyway, though. He said that we need to disconnect employment from health care because we can't deal with disparities unless everyone has coverage, even the unemployed and underemployed. He further stated that prenatal care is essential. He admits that he's more from the education side than the health care side. He believes that health literacy is important, but we have to be literate before we can have health literacy. He stated that we need to measure health outcomes on a county to county basis. I don't think that he really answered the question either. He doesn't seem to have a true grasp of what the reNEW Minnesota vision is all about.
John Marty - He states that people hurt because of ill health and poverty. He wants child care to be accessible to every child. Child care should not have a waiting list. Marty uses pauses in his speech very effectively and thus gave a powerful three-minute speech. He stated that we need health care, not health insurance. He is the author of the Minnesota Health Plan. Now if we can only get it passed. It's an excellent bill. I feel that John Marty truly understands the reNEW Minnesota vision.
Mark Dayton - He explained how he lived with a welfare family in a poor part of New York City when he was just out of college so he could learn first hand how people lived who were less fortunate than himself. After that he taught in a NYC inner city school. He was appalled that kids came to school without breakfast and only 25 cents in their pocket for french fries for lunch. He passionately stated that he wants equal medical treatment for everyone because they are human beings. He finds it morally and ethically unacceptable that some people are currently excluded from health care. He was emphatic that health care should not be dependent on income or race. Dayton also used pauses effectively. He gave a very powerful speech. The thing to remember about Dayton is that he has been an active Progressive since 1968 and has fought hard against inequality and injustice for over 40 years. He had the reNEW Minnesota vision decades before there was a TakeAction Minnesota. He's got the same passion for it that Paul Wellstone had. Another thing to remember about Mark Dayton is that he always keeps his promises. No excuses and no exceptions. It's true, too. He really does.
Tom Rukavina - He said he knew he had to give a short answer (3 minutes) but that was okay because short is his middle name (he's only 5'3"). That got a giggle from the audience. He told us that he fought for the minimum wage at the legislature (he's been a representative for 23 years). He said that he's always trying to lift people up. He knows that whites are more likely to be treated medically than those of other races and ethnicities. He states that he will never forget where he came from. His parents were immigrants to the Iron Range. If he forgets where he came from, he won't know where he's going. And he does know where he's going. Straight to the governor's office. Another chuckle. I don't think Rukavina answered the question. He may or may not understand the vision of reNEW Minnesota, but we won't know for sure if he doesn't answer the questions. Rukavina is a Good Old Democrat. These were the guys who used to always dance around the questions put before them. This won't work for reNEW Minnesota members. This is a group of intelligent people who are just sick and tired of the way Minnesota has been run for the last twenty years. We want a change and we will elect a governor who will make that happen and who will govern with us.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher - She said that Minnesota has a huge need to do more health prevention. She talked about the State Health Improvement Program. She's right that this is an excellent program. It's not enough, though. She wants health insurance to cover health care. Most of us want health care instead of health insurance. She talked about innovation. She talked about needing permission from the Feds. I do remember hearing previously that the states might need Federal permission before going ahead with a state single payer plan. Perhaps someone could enlighten me on that. She wants to make sure that all women have access to mammograms. I think that Kelliher is grasping to understand the reNEW Minnesota vision but she's not there yet.
That was the end of the answers from the candidates for the first question. The second question had to be answered either yes or no. Period. No elaboration was allowed. The question was this: Would you support mandatory, statewide collection and dissemination of health data by racial and ethnic subcategories in Minnesota in order to crreate an accurate picture of health for all groups living in our state?
All the candiates answered yes except for Leslie Davis, who emphatically said no. As you recall, he was the only GOP candidate.
Let me again point out that the question was meant to find out if the candidates would support mandatory gathering and collecting of data by the state and was by no means meant to imply that it would be mandatory for each individual to answer the questions. Individuals would be able to opt out of answering all or any of the questions on any health data survey. In discussing this with my colleagues at MDH, it was wondered how this could be achieved, for if some did not answer all or part of the questions, it could skewer the results. There would have to be a scientifically based margin of error.
At this point in the program all the candidates left except for the ones who were also key legislators in health care reform. These included Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Paul Thissen and John Marty. Non-candidate legislators in attendance who joined them in the front of the room were DFL Representative Thomas Huntley (District 7A) and DFL Senator Linda Berglin (District 61).
Sarah Walker then gave a talk about GAMC. She explained that it was a medical program for people who make less than $8,000/year. She also gave examples about certain groups of people and individuals who will be greatly affected by the removal of GAMC. For example, when people are released from jail, they are only given three days worth of medications they may be on. For psychiatric and other patients, this can be a disaster. Not taking psychotropic medications that have been prescribed can be dangerous to the community as well as to the patients themselves. The loss of GAMC will have an impact on all of society. Another reason to keep GAMC is that those who no longer have it will receive charity care at hospitals and emergency rooms, which will make medical costs rise for everyone.
Robert Fischer then told his story. He was a man with a family and a job when he lost his job and his insurance benefits. He went on GAMC. He then lost his home through a mortgage scam. He found himself homeless. Losing GAMC was devastating to him.
Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher spoke of Governor Pawlenty's line item veto of GAMC. Then legislator Paul Thissen stated that Pawlenty had crossed a moral line. Cutting GAMC is morally and ethically wrong. Thissen definitely understands the problems that will arise from GAMC demise. Representative Thomas Huntley reinterated that with the loss of GAMC, the people of Minnesota will pay one way or another, mostly through increased property taxes and uncompensated care. Senator John Marty said in no uncertain terms that losing GAMC will kill people. He stated that health care should be a right that no one can touch. Senator Berglin told the audience that once our infrastructure crumbles, we won't be able to get it back. She said that the legislators have found revenue that Governor Pawlenty and the Republicans should be okay with. We all have something at stake with the loss of GAMC. All of us, and not just the GAMC recipients.
Tarryl Clark was there. She spoke as well. She pointed out that no one should need an attorney to get health care. People drastically affected by the loss of GAMC are veterans, poor women and the homeless.
Scott Muskin, a TakeAction member, stated, "I'm tired of living in a Thank God it's Not Me state." As is anyone with a conscience. Some are guilty of the removal of GAMC, but all are responsible.
That wrapped up the evening. The audience was given time to complete the forms that indicated our support of reNEW Minnesota. When we were finished completing them we held them high in the air to show the legislators and the audience (and the Republican cameras in the back of the room) that reNEW Minnesota is a political force to be reckoned with.
The evening was very successful. I'm proud to be a member of reNEW Minnesota.
Next, Elizabeth Towle told the audience about the Indian health disparities and about the racism that is directed against the Indian community. Elizabeth agrees with the reNEW philosophy that all Minnesotans are in this together. We believe that the inherent worth and dignity of everyone must be recognized with no exceptions. She talked about the many medical disparities that Indians face. For example, the Indian community has the highest rate of suicide. And with the eradication of GAMC, many will have no medical care at all. There are lots of people in this community who are not helped by the Indian Health Board. Elizabeth told a powerful story. We all need to listen.
After that, Nancy Pomplun spoke about Asian health disparities. She also gave information about health data and why we need detailed racial and ethnic data. This should be a mandatory data collection (mandatory for the state to collect it; not mandatory for any individual to participate, as Mark Dayton so accurately pointed out). Currently there are only five race categories and only two ethnic categories. (There are several organizations that currently collect data. The problem is that no two of them collect it in the same way. The Minnesota Department of Health Division of Health Policy is looking into this and is starting to do something about it.) Nancy reminded us that solving health disparities begins with collecting this type of data.
The next speaker was Valory Belton. Valory is an African American woman who suffers from hypertension. She pointed out that 44% of black American women have hypertension while only 28% of white American women have it. She spoke of research that suggests that racism can cause stress which can in turn cause certain hormones to raise blood pressure. She also mentioned how the Sage Program (MDH section of Cancer Control) is instrumental in making sure that low income women get mammograms at no cost. (There is also a sister program that provides PAP tests.)
After this first part of the evening's program was finished, Marc Drummond (TakeAction Minnesota, Woodbury) stepped forward. He stated that our health care system should include everyone. He also said that he is sick and tired of elected officials not keeping their campaign promises. (At that point I was thinking how Mark Dayton always keeps his promises with no excuses and no exceptions.)
Next, Marc Drummond moderated the gubernatorial candidates as they each answered one question. All the candidates had to answer the same question and had three minutes in which to do so. Eight of the DFL gubernatorial candidates were present. Only Tom Bakk and Susan Gaertner were missing. There was only one GOP candidate. All the GOP candidates were invited, but only Leslie Davis showed up.
This was the question: What would you do, as Governor, to remedy the racial inequities in health in Minnesota?
Here is how the various candidates answered (not verbatim, but paraphrased in my note-taking words):
R. T. Rybak - As mayor of Minneapolis, he has worked with people who are victims of health disparities. He believes in universal health care and stresses that prenatal care and early childhood immunizations are essential. He stated that we cannot separate health disparities from other disparities such as housing, jobs and food access. I got the sense that Rybak kind of understands the reNEW Minnesota vision, but not entirely. I think he misses part of the point.
Leslie Davis (the only GOP candidate present) - He says that people don't know where money comes from. He has a plan to balance the budget. He states that Minnesotans need to eat right, especially in schools. He wants to get rid of pollution in the cities because he thinks pollution can cause bad health. He has an underground water plan. He has a plan that will pay for GAMC. As a Republican, I don't believe that Davis understands the impact of the reNEW Minnesota vision or what it encompasses. He doesn't seem to get it. He talks about eating right. How does he expect certain people to do that when they can't even afford to buy the food they need?
Matt Entenza - He started right out talking about his alcoholic father and how he left the family. He talks about this at every forum and debate. I thought it was inappropriate here. He thinks this will make people empathize with him because they'll think he knows where they are coming from. He's a multi-millionaire now. No one cares about his childhood now. What we care about is how he is going to get rid of health inequities for the poorest and most neglected Minnesotans. Entenza stated that he remembered having bronchitis and his mother told him he had to get better because they had no money for a doctor. And now he's name dropping again about the minority legislators who are supporting him. He's not really answering the question. I don't think he really understand the reNEW Minnesota vision and focus. He did say that he wants everyone to have health care. Every DFLer agrees with that.
Paul Thissen - He stated that health disparities are a long dark shadow on health care. He says that Minnesota is only 17th in health equity among all states. He further states that 15% of blacks but only 6% of whites lack health insurance. He was emphatic that outreach is critical. He said that Minnesota has done a good job in reducing infant mortality in diverse cultures. I get the sense that Thissen understands the reNEW Minnesota vision fairly well.
Steve Kelley - I should have sat in the back of the room. Kelly always speaks so loudly. He was so loud that it made me not want to listen. I did anyway, though. He said that we need to disconnect employment from health care because we can't deal with disparities unless everyone has coverage, even the unemployed and underemployed. He further stated that prenatal care is essential. He admits that he's more from the education side than the health care side. He believes that health literacy is important, but we have to be literate before we can have health literacy. He stated that we need to measure health outcomes on a county to county basis. I don't think that he really answered the question either. He doesn't seem to have a true grasp of what the reNEW Minnesota vision is all about.
John Marty - He states that people hurt because of ill health and poverty. He wants child care to be accessible to every child. Child care should not have a waiting list. Marty uses pauses in his speech very effectively and thus gave a powerful three-minute speech. He stated that we need health care, not health insurance. He is the author of the Minnesota Health Plan. Now if we can only get it passed. It's an excellent bill. I feel that John Marty truly understands the reNEW Minnesota vision.
Mark Dayton - He explained how he lived with a welfare family in a poor part of New York City when he was just out of college so he could learn first hand how people lived who were less fortunate than himself. After that he taught in a NYC inner city school. He was appalled that kids came to school without breakfast and only 25 cents in their pocket for french fries for lunch. He passionately stated that he wants equal medical treatment for everyone because they are human beings. He finds it morally and ethically unacceptable that some people are currently excluded from health care. He was emphatic that health care should not be dependent on income or race. Dayton also used pauses effectively. He gave a very powerful speech. The thing to remember about Dayton is that he has been an active Progressive since 1968 and has fought hard against inequality and injustice for over 40 years. He had the reNEW Minnesota vision decades before there was a TakeAction Minnesota. He's got the same passion for it that Paul Wellstone had. Another thing to remember about Mark Dayton is that he always keeps his promises. No excuses and no exceptions. It's true, too. He really does.
Tom Rukavina - He said he knew he had to give a short answer (3 minutes) but that was okay because short is his middle name (he's only 5'3"). That got a giggle from the audience. He told us that he fought for the minimum wage at the legislature (he's been a representative for 23 years). He said that he's always trying to lift people up. He knows that whites are more likely to be treated medically than those of other races and ethnicities. He states that he will never forget where he came from. His parents were immigrants to the Iron Range. If he forgets where he came from, he won't know where he's going. And he does know where he's going. Straight to the governor's office. Another chuckle. I don't think Rukavina answered the question. He may or may not understand the vision of reNEW Minnesota, but we won't know for sure if he doesn't answer the questions. Rukavina is a Good Old Democrat. These were the guys who used to always dance around the questions put before them. This won't work for reNEW Minnesota members. This is a group of intelligent people who are just sick and tired of the way Minnesota has been run for the last twenty years. We want a change and we will elect a governor who will make that happen and who will govern with us.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher - She said that Minnesota has a huge need to do more health prevention. She talked about the State Health Improvement Program. She's right that this is an excellent program. It's not enough, though. She wants health insurance to cover health care. Most of us want health care instead of health insurance. She talked about innovation. She talked about needing permission from the Feds. I do remember hearing previously that the states might need Federal permission before going ahead with a state single payer plan. Perhaps someone could enlighten me on that. She wants to make sure that all women have access to mammograms. I think that Kelliher is grasping to understand the reNEW Minnesota vision but she's not there yet.
That was the end of the answers from the candidates for the first question. The second question had to be answered either yes or no. Period. No elaboration was allowed. The question was this: Would you support mandatory, statewide collection and dissemination of health data by racial and ethnic subcategories in Minnesota in order to crreate an accurate picture of health for all groups living in our state?
All the candiates answered yes except for Leslie Davis, who emphatically said no. As you recall, he was the only GOP candidate.
Let me again point out that the question was meant to find out if the candidates would support mandatory gathering and collecting of data by the state and was by no means meant to imply that it would be mandatory for each individual to answer the questions. Individuals would be able to opt out of answering all or any of the questions on any health data survey. In discussing this with my colleagues at MDH, it was wondered how this could be achieved, for if some did not answer all or part of the questions, it could skewer the results. There would have to be a scientifically based margin of error.
At this point in the program all the candidates left except for the ones who were also key legislators in health care reform. These included Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Paul Thissen and John Marty. Non-candidate legislators in attendance who joined them in the front of the room were DFL Representative Thomas Huntley (District 7A) and DFL Senator Linda Berglin (District 61).
Sarah Walker then gave a talk about GAMC. She explained that it was a medical program for people who make less than $8,000/year. She also gave examples about certain groups of people and individuals who will be greatly affected by the removal of GAMC. For example, when people are released from jail, they are only given three days worth of medications they may be on. For psychiatric and other patients, this can be a disaster. Not taking psychotropic medications that have been prescribed can be dangerous to the community as well as to the patients themselves. The loss of GAMC will have an impact on all of society. Another reason to keep GAMC is that those who no longer have it will receive charity care at hospitals and emergency rooms, which will make medical costs rise for everyone.
Robert Fischer then told his story. He was a man with a family and a job when he lost his job and his insurance benefits. He went on GAMC. He then lost his home through a mortgage scam. He found himself homeless. Losing GAMC was devastating to him.
Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher spoke of Governor Pawlenty's line item veto of GAMC. Then legislator Paul Thissen stated that Pawlenty had crossed a moral line. Cutting GAMC is morally and ethically wrong. Thissen definitely understands the problems that will arise from GAMC demise. Representative Thomas Huntley reinterated that with the loss of GAMC, the people of Minnesota will pay one way or another, mostly through increased property taxes and uncompensated care. Senator John Marty said in no uncertain terms that losing GAMC will kill people. He stated that health care should be a right that no one can touch. Senator Berglin told the audience that once our infrastructure crumbles, we won't be able to get it back. She said that the legislators have found revenue that Governor Pawlenty and the Republicans should be okay with. We all have something at stake with the loss of GAMC. All of us, and not just the GAMC recipients.
Tarryl Clark was there. She spoke as well. She pointed out that no one should need an attorney to get health care. People drastically affected by the loss of GAMC are veterans, poor women and the homeless.
Scott Muskin, a TakeAction member, stated, "I'm tired of living in a Thank God it's Not Me state." As is anyone with a conscience. Some are guilty of the removal of GAMC, but all are responsible.
That wrapped up the evening. The audience was given time to complete the forms that indicated our support of reNEW Minnesota. When we were finished completing them we held them high in the air to show the legislators and the audience (and the Republican cameras in the back of the room) that reNEW Minnesota is a political force to be reckoned with.
The evening was very successful. I'm proud to be a member of reNEW Minnesota.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
reNEW Minnesota Campaign: Candidate Interviews
The format was as follows: the candidates arrived one at a time. Paul Thissen was first at 6:15, followed by Mark Dayton at 7:00. Matt Entenza was third and last at 7:45. Each candidate was asked a total of nine questions, which were presented by various reNEW Minnesota members and by the general audience. The first six questions were the same for each candidate; the last three were different. We decided on the questions before any of the candidates arrived. It was determined that I would ask my question regarding homeless veterans to Paul Thissen. After each candidate left, the audience/reNEW Minnesota members spent several minutes discussing the candidate's responses to the questions and whether his answers reflected the reNEW Minnesota vision. This was a very intelligent audience and was not easily swayed.
We were also given forms to complete asking various questions about how the candidates answered the questions and what our impressions were. After the evening was over, we turned these forms in to reNEW Minnesota staff.
The reNEW Minnesota Campaign, which is part of Take Action Minnesota, is a newer grassroots political organization that is growing very quickly. The people involved in this are going to have a great influence on which candidate gets elected to the governorship of Minnesota. To make a statement in reference to this, the moderators asked everyone who was going to be a delegate to stand up. Any candidate who wants this organization's endorsement and support had better acquaint him or herelf with its vision and platform and make sure that it's part of his or her own vision as well.
Here's some impressions of the three candiates who attended tonight:
Paul Thissen - I give him an A+ for thinking on his feet and an A for being an excellent communicator. He definitely knows how to talk to an audience and get his points across. Thissen commented that he carries his paper copy of the reNEW Minnesota vision everywhere he goes and especially on the campaign trail. Was this a clever trick to make his audience believe he's fully committed? The audience seemed to be divided in half about this. Some were wondering if this was the case; others believed that he was totally sincere and that he knew the vision backwards and forwards and fully supported it. Some thought that he was a little too slick. Personally, I thought he came across as being very sincere. He's got some excellent ideas of how he can make Minnesota a great state again if he is governor. He appears to know what needs to be done and how to do it. I do have one suggestion for improvement for him. He should slow down a little and soak in the deeper meanings of the questions. He needs to convey to the audience that he is pondering the question intently rather than speaking too quickly and appearing too clever for his audience.
Mark Dayton - I've heard better communication from him. He seemed nervous at first and stumbled a bit with his words. He used too many crutch words. It doesn't matter, though, since we're used to this. He did warm up, as he always does when he gets started on his passion for public service. His personality came through as he inserted humorous remarks here and there. Most realize that Dayton has been progressive since around 1968, back before it was even called progressive. He let the audience know that he was on Richard Nixon's enemies list and that he was one of the few senators who voted against the Iraq War. He also said he realized that many knew what he meant about Nixon, while others wondered, "Who's Richard Nixon." This audience was a mix of all ages. Dayton was doing great and really had the attention of the audience. He lost about half of them with his answer to the immigration question. I understood exactly why he answered as he did, as did one of the moderators. We discussed it afterwards. Many in the audience didn't understand at all. Dayton also lost a few with his remark about voters and nonvoters. It must be very difficult to come up with answers to impromptu questions while wondering how your answer will be construed by the audience. There are so many perceived ramifications to each answer. Of course no one ever asks my opinion...
The thing to remember about Mark Dayton is that his word is good. If he says he'll do something, he'll do it. He keeps his promises. Some of the audience thought he made too many promises during the course of his allotted time, but most of these remarks were from the younger crowd. After Dayton left, the audience seemed divided. He definitely had supporters in the room. It should also be noted that Dayton received applause several times until the moderator reminded us that we need to hold our applause until the end.
It's this writer's opinion that in choosing which candidate to endorse, one should look at all aspects, including past experiences in promoting the vision, the candidate's history of fighting against bigotry, discrimination and racial hatred as well as what the candidate has done in the past to promote equality and justice for all. Dayton has spent 40 years excelling in all of these areas.
Matt Entenza - He was soft spoken, as always. This is good in some ways and not so good in others. Where is his passion? If he has any, he keeps it out of his voice. One would never know from his speaking skills whether he has any passion and enthusiasm for the reNEW Minnesota vision or not. Also as usual, he kept referring to his growing up in Worthington, Minnesota. He referred to it too often. He again brought up his roots in a single-parent household. He plays on that far too much. Another item he keeps referring to is his idea of saving Minnesota through a clean energy economy. I think he knew he was referring back to it too often, for he commented that he was doing so because that's his message. Apparently he needs a new message because that one isn't doing it for him. Certainly clean energy can create jobs and help the environment. How long will it take? Minnesota needs answers quickly. Dayton said that after he wins the election there will be no party and no pomp and circumstance, but that he will get to work immediately. Entenza, on the other hand, states that he can't do everything so he's concentrating on clean energy. When Minnesota is in serious crisis, his meager platform won't get him elected. It doesn't appear that he has the inclination nor the know-how to delve into all the problems and issues that Minnesota faces. I would suggest that he quit name dropping. The reNEW Minnesota Campaign does not care which big names from which ethnicities are supporting him. We can decide for ourselves if we are going to support him or not. His name dropping will not help us reach our decision. Our final choice will be based solely on our perception of the candidate himself and whether we feel he is devoted and committed to the vision. Entenza appears to be a nice person, but not the right choice for governor at this time. After he left, the audience did not appear to be impressed.
In my opinion, out of these three candidates, Paul Thissen and Mark Dayton both thoroughly understand the vision and embrace it. Dayton, of course, has decades of experience over Thissen.
I'll post more after the next round of interviews.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
reNEW Minnesota Campaign
Take a look at the website in which reNEW Minnesota interviews the ten DFL gubernatorial candidates. This is our first step in determining which candidate will best lead Minnesota with the reNEW Minnesota vision. There will be more forums and debates. Then reNEW Minnesota will determine which candidate to endorse.
Here's my impressions of the candidates just from how they responded on these videos.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher - She states that the reNEW Minnesota vision matches very well with how she was brought up on the dairy farm. (Huh?) She claims that she therefore resonates with this vision. She wants the state to be based on a justice model. She says she's a trained organizer who believes strongly in taking this reNew vision and making it a reality. She maintains that her style is one of working together. This is where she starts to sound as though she's saying exactly what she thinks reNEW wants to hear. This is too canned. I think she's done her research on what reNEW Minnesota wants.
Tom Bakk - Has a good presentation but let's look closer. He keeps talking about his life as a carpenter. He says his childhood was different. He spent summers at summer camp. He says his values were shaped at summer camp. Oh oh. As someone who also went to summer camp once or twice, I know that one can take that statement many different ways. I don't really see that his childhood is any different from that of most people. He does agree that the reNEW Minnesota Campaign goes a long way in breaking down barriers. He says he believes in a progressive tax system. He thinks that all Minnesotans believe in the reNEW Minnesota Campaign principals. I don't know why he would think that. There's lots of Republicans in Minnesota who wouldn't care much about it.
Mark Dayton - Now here's someone who has been a progressive almost forever. He was progressive before it was even called that. Mark Dayton could arguably be called the Father of Minnesota Progressives. He's been involved in progressive political causes for forty years. He started out protesting the Viet Nam War. (As did I.) He watched television one night and saw his political hero, Bobby Kennedy, assasinated. He saw how Kennedy gave his life for his beliefs. This profoundly and fundamentally changed Dayton's life. He dedicated his life to progressive political causes. He lived with a welfare family in New York City in order to understand how people lived who did not have the privileges that he himself had known. This says a lot about the progressive dedication and the inner strength of character of Mark Dayton, even from an early age. He's got a long history of helping those less fortunate than himself and fighting for equality for all.
Matt Entenza - Again (and yet again) relates how he grew up poor because his father was an alcoholic who ran off and left them with nothing. His childhood took place in Winona, in a working class farming community. His grandmother took them into her little tiny home. He talks about all the opportunites he was given by the community and now wants to make those same opportunites available to all Minnesotans. He believes that we should have the diversity that Minnesota needs and that we should value education. He believes in health care for everyone. He opposes the idea that some people should be in and some people should be out. Matt seems to grasp the reNEW Minnesota vision very well. I just wish he would quit talking about his sad childhood so much. It almost seems that he wants the voters to feel sorry for him and thus vote for him.
Susan Gaertner - She states that the reNEW Minnesota vision relates to her personal experience in so many ways. Her father was a social worker. He worked with families and kids at risk. Thus she learned from a very early age that government has a responsibility to help those who need help. As a prosecutor, she has seen first hand the consequences of what happens when the vision doesn't take place. She thinks opportunities should be open to all across the state and not vary depending on color, gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. She agrees with reNEW Minnesota's vision of fairness and equality and then making it happen. She says this will only happen with all hands on board and not just by the governor and/or the legislators. She reiterates that we are all in this together. This is the best I've ever heard from Susan Gaertner. She obviously understands the reNEW Minnesota vision very well and already embraces it.
Steve Kelley - He says he connects to the reNEW Minnesota vision because he served as the chair of the Senate Education Committee and had an opportunity to create a youth advisory council. He wanted to act out the idea that we govern best when we govern together and engage and empower people to be part of the solution in their own lives. He wants opportunities to be extended to everyone. He likes the reNEW Minnesota vision because it begins with values. He has a good presentation in this video and he's not yelling. This is the tone he should take with the forums and debates. He's not the most progressive of the ten candidates, but he's on board.
John Marty - He says the vision of reNEW Minnesota connects with him because he believes in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being with no exceptions. He has a progressive view of society. He wants to work with people from every corner of the state and of every economic status. He wants to work with everyone from the beginning and not bring them in later as an afterthought. I'm not sure what he means by bringing everyone in. Does he mean representatives of all the people of Minnesota, or does he mean every Minnesotan? He'd sure need a big table. I think Marty understands the reNEW Minnesota vision very well. I wish his voice would sound more sincere, though.
Tom Rukavina - He says he loves this vision because that's how he was raised. His parents were union organizers. He was taught that everyone has to pull together as a community. He's lived that way all his life and that's the way he's been at the capitol as a state representative. He says his past record at the capitol shows that he includes everyone with no exclusions. This is the way he was born and raised. He would include people in his cabinet who have lived an ordinary life and have learned from life experiences. (Hey, that would be me....) I did notice that in this interview Rukavina didn't even crack one joke. He was very serious. That's what I wanted to hear. (Well, one joke might have been okay.) This presentation shows me that Tom Rukavina most likely would be a good governor. Besides, Orrie told me that he might let Dayton be his Lt. Governor. I said or vice versa. What a team! Speaking of Orrie, I couldn't find a picture of him and his wonderful smile on Rukavina's Facebook page. None of the candidates could do all that they're doing without their fantastic campaign staff. I notice that Dayton has lots of pictures of his great staff.
R.T. Rybak - He loves the reNEW Minnesota Campaign because it says that we're not going to allow fear and scarcity to divide Minnesotans. He was a community organizer who was unknown, then got elected as Mayor of Minneapolis. He didn't stop with the election, but kept organizing communities to stand up against violence and to mobilize around the environment. He made sure he didn't just sit behind his desk but got out and mobilized citizens. He believes the reNEW Minnesota vision is about all of us coming together to say that we're bigger than we've been and we can be far better. He plans to do in the governor's office what he did in the mayor's office, where he gets out of the office and goes out into the communities, both in the metro area and in rural Minnesota to bring people into the vision where we can all work together to create jobs, fix our schools, create health care, bring back the environment and manage the budget. He believes that by working together, we can accomplish all these things. Rybak did have a bad double start in the presentation, but he recovered very nicely.
Paul Thissen - He says that the reNEW Minnesota vision is about how he was raised. He was born and raised in Bloomington by two school teachers who sacrificed to give him and his sister educational opportunities. He wants all kids to have health care and wants every Minnesotan to succeed in life. He thinks we should call on the best of Minnesota and think of abundance instead of limitation. He believes that our policies should reflect our values. He wants to make sure we don't have discrimination in our communities. He wants to make sure that all Minnesotans can do better. He wants to make retirement secure. It all comes back to his parents, he says. Paul Thissen is a fresh young idealistic voice. I don't think he is the most profound progressive in the lineup, though.
Now that I've watched the videos of all ten candidates and gave a brief evaluation of each, I've come up with my own top four candidates. You may notice that this list is different than previous lists I've posted. That's because this was a one-on-one interview with each of the candidates. Most of them come across a bit differently than when they're engaged in a forum or debate. Here's my top choices just from the reNEW Minnesota candidate interview videos. These are in order of my preference.
1. Mark Dayton
2. Tom Rukavina
3. R.T. Rybak
4. Susan Gaertner
Please post your own preferences in the comments section below.
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