A recent article by the Star Tribune, State economist: A thorn in governor’s philosophy, puts the Minnesota state economist at odd with the governor. While Governor Tim Pawlenty is an only-spending-cuts-will-save-us type Republican, at least lately, the state economist, Tom Stinson, argues that there is no single solution (e.g., neither tax hikes nor spending cuts alone) to the money woes in Minnesota. In fact, Mr Stinson appears to support President Barack Obama‘s economic stimulus efforts, which Pawlenty has had nothing but ill will toward.
I am not sure whether we have had enough time to know if the stimulus has worked, I am certain that I will give the state economist, who has been doing this work for Minnesota for some twenty years, benefit of the doubt. Which is more than Pawlenty appears willing to do, because Stinson’s forecasts do not fall in line with the governor’s national political aspirations.
From the article:
As the state’s budget deficit ballooned into billions of dollars, the Republican governor blamed DFLers, who he says would rather raise taxes than rein in spending. In the process, Pawlenty has barely mentioned Stinson and rarely talks to him.
I can hardly disagree with the governor’s opinion that Democrats tend to want to raise taxes to solve financial shortcomings. I think most everyone would agree that this is stereotypically true. However, Pawlenty plays the stereotypical role of Republican to a tee as well, by pigheadedly refusing to accept that a balanced approach of cutting spending and raising taxes may be necessary. The answer isn’t always cutting spending and cutting taxes. History shows us that approach can have serious negative effects.
Source: zfacts.com
At the same time, I don’t side with the Democrats—at least not the stereotypical tax-more-spend-more Democrats. The positions of mainstream party members on both sides are exaggerated, I think. Most Democrats and most Republicans realize that there needs to be economic middle ground.
Neither tax-and-spend nor slash-and-burn policies are going to solve our money problems. A balanced approach, where we tax what and when we need to and spend where we need to, and do not when we need not, is the ideal approach.
Also from the article:
For the moment, there appear to be plenty of economic experts — including Republicans — who agree with Stinson that something serious is amiss in Minnesota.
Perhaps Pawlenty should focus a bit less on populist Republican ideals and a bit more on pragmatic and realistic solutions for Minnesota. I know he already has one foot out the door (and itching to feel that Oval Office carpeting), but the voters, and I mean all voters, not just the hardcore dogmatic conservatives, will look at how Pawlenty handles Minnesota’s finances as a measure of how well he might do with the nation’s.
Instead of being dogmatic about an idealized fiscal policy for the national stage, Mr Pawlenty should consider the future of his current neighbors, even if he does want to leave us all behind.
Read the original Star Tribune article here.
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It’s a custom template I created.
This blog is varied to say the least – I will return most def!
The problem with this country is BOTH the Democrats and Republicans. Anyone who seriously thinks that one side isn’t corrupt or slaves to Corporate America hasn’t done an adequate job of paying attention. To the Republicans: The GW administration will go down in History as one of the worst administrations. They eroded your constitutional rights, expanded the power of the wealthy elite, invaded countries under false pretenses, destroyed diplomatic relations with the rest of the world, and spent money like it was going out of style. To the Democrats: Obama is a dud. He promised much and has turned out to be another corporate lackey. He made deals with big pharma to ensure you could not get your medication cheaper elsewhere, he flip flopped on military tribunals, he refuses to fix health care properly through nationalization or single payer, he populates his inner circle with more Wall Street insiders, he spends money on bailouts and useless stimulus packages.
I hope the Dems lose the house in November. I don’t hate them or anything i just think that government works best when both parties have some power. In my lifetime I think the Government was working best during Reagans and Clintons presidencies and were at its worst during Obamas and Bush II’s.When one party controls everything it seems like its most corrupt and usually the other party sells its soul to the Devil to get back in power.
Republicans want want failure, they want things like the insurance companies to continue to rake in billions and to keep the unwealthy at a disadvantage. The infrastructures portion was what we needed to get us going in advancing our country to come into the present but the old conservatives who want to go back to the “simpler times” (ie. slavery, and racial discrimination via lower education). Our country and everyday people need help due to bad financial policy and they are just not getting it. Who is getting it? Big business. God bless America.
Great post like always. Always nice to read this blog.
Warm greetings from Germany
Another great supplement, I really could not have said this greater myself.
Our major issue in this country is our two political parties. Our forefathers knew that a two party system would be our downfall and took steps to try to stop this type of politics, and thus anyone who seriously thinks that politics isn’t corrupt or slaves to Corporate America hasn’t not been paying attention. George Jr. will go down in History as one of the worst administrations in history and I could go on for hours showing why, but my point is that the Obama administration has offered nothing different (besides health reform, granted) and has in fact continued nearly every single Bush program. Obama has almost the same political donors and thus has the same pressures as Bush did. Health reform will turn out to be the most expensive and destructive waste of tax payer money ever. I just wish I could offer a better alternative for other frustrated people, but I can’t and those that think that the tea partiers are the future, remember that Sarah Palin is an important figure to them.
Valuable stuff, thanx ;P
Pawlenty did nothing but put a Band-Aid on Minnesota’s budget with unallotment to make himself smell like a rose. The revenue isn’t there–you can’t be in constant denial and offer nothing constructive in its place. His own Cabinet with Glenn Close is, for the most part, a waste of taxpayer money. Don’t forget the PR move of wanting to bring in 5000 Iranians and another 8000 Thai in addition to 90000 others, then wonder why your schools are closing for lack of funds. I don’t get it–is this a contest? What was the plan for sustenance? I firmly believe in humanitarian principles and doing what we can to help–but within such a short period of time–you confuse diversity with the appearance of tolerance. No taxes for 7 years, free housing, food, transportation, voucher for a car plus insurance, school para, adult education. I remember scrambling to get enough for a gallon of milk after losses in Minnesota due to corruption. The gridlock in Washington is a mirror image of the Minnesota Legislature up until last year. Obama tried to get a nationalized equitable health plan through–the Republicans boycotted it.