The John Adams Society |
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Gregory F.E.C Wersal
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Melvin R. Welch
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G. Larry Colson, Jr.
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Josh Regnier
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September 2011
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.
- P. J. O'Rourke
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 38 YEARS, Minnesota returned the GOP to power in the Legislature. Touting fiscal reform, deficit reductions, and job growth initiatives, the GOP gained a majority in both the House and the Senate. Yet for all their support by The People, the Republican Legislature managed no tax cuts and no deficit reductions after a two week long shutdown left them with the advantage over Governor Mark Dayton, who sorely misread his hand.
The Republican Legislature claimed to have a mandate by the voters and took this mandate to the mat, ostensibly causing Governor Dayton to blink. Their “win”: a $1B increase in HHS funding; a $2.4B increase in K-12 funding; a $36M increase in Environment funding; and a mere freeze in Local Government Aid, which Republicans promised to do away with.
ON THE OTHER HAND, despite fielding 54 newly elected legislator “rookies” against a seasoned Governor, Republicans did manage no new taxes while managing increased funding for schools, seniors and the disabled, and implementing future budget constraints on increased spending. Republicans also balanced the budget for the next biennium at a price tag $4B below projections.
THE CHAIRMAN, who fears his season ticket subsidy at a new Vikings stadium may be lost to the vagaries of the political gamble, has called a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: The Minnesota Republican Legislature Failed.
The Debate will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 701-9623 or the Secretary at (612) 220-7586.