GP Press release on FBI raids

GREEN PARTY OF MINNESOTA SUPPORTS PEACE ACTIVISTS RAIDED BY FBI

News that five homes of well-known peace activists in Minneapolis had been raided and searched by FBI agents yesterday morning brought expressions of outrage from members of the Green Party´s state coordinating committee. They voiced support for the Anti War Committee and other local groups with which the activists are associated. They believe that accusations of material aid to terrorism are intended to intimidate all who protest.

The suppression of democratic rights and the bogus use of terrorism charges continue to intensify under the Obama administration. A number of the activists also received subpoenas to testify at a Chicago grand jury. We will continue to support these activists as they face the grand jury process.

"Following upon the unjustified raids and arrests that took place in 2008, this action throws a threatening shadow over freedom of expression in our state -- as no doubt it was meant to do," says Andy Hamerlinck. He pointed out that empty charges of terrorism against the RNC 8 arrested in 2008 have long since been dropped. Only last week, all other charges were dropped against three of those defendants. "Now we have a new round of bullying."

How to balance the books

As Obama selects his new economic team, this chart may be a useful resource. It's simplified, of course, but it could be the E=MC-squared of economics!

As a general rule of thumb...

Taxes = Spending
Principal = Lending
Interest = Grants

The grants are needed to halt the vicious cycle of more borrowing to pay old debts. Government can lend to small businesses and use the interest to build green infrastructure.

If deflation is a problem, increase spending.
If inflation is a problem, increase taxes.

Farheen debate audio

My favorite parts were taxing the rich, state-owned bank, and Dayton's a millionaire. Great job Farheen!

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/09/20/midday1/

Petition forms accepted

Luckily these forms were accepted by the Secretary of State’s office. The problem was caught about halfway through the two-week petitioning period, which ran from May 18 through June 1. In what appears to be the handwriting of Annie Young herself, the early petition sheets list “Green Party of Minnesota” while the form instructions underneath say “(political party or principle, in no more than three words)”.

Farheen Hakeem Radio Ad 2

RADIO AD #2

Announcer: He voted to fund the Iraq War. He voted for the Patriot Act. He attended a June meeting of America's Pro-Israel Lobby. He voted to build a fence along the Mexican border, he helped retain capital gains tax cuts for the rich, and he voted to give billions to coal, oil, nuclear, and ethanol. This is what you'd expect from Tom Emmer, but it's what you got with Mark Dayton as Senator.

FH: Hi, I'm Farheen Hakeem, your Green Party candidate for Governor. I will work to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and victims of free trade. Instead of a Dayton-style state-run casino, let's create a state-run bank similar to North Dakota, which happens to have the lowest unemployment in the nation. We can lend to small businesses and use the interest to build green infrastructure. We all know how awful the records of the Republicans are. But in so many ways, Democrats aren’t too far off. This November 2nd, let's vote Green for real change. Please learn more at farheenhakeem.org.

Announcer: Paid for by Hakeem for Governor.

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SOURCES

Mark Dayton voted to fund the Iraq War.
http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Mark_Dayton_War_+_Peace.htm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00400

Mark Dayton voted for the Patriot Act.
http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Mark_Dayton_Homeland_Security.htm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00025

Mark Dayton attended a June meeting of America's Pro-Israel Lobby.
http://www.fightbacknews.org/2010/7/3/minnesotans-protest-zionist-lobby-aipac-and-us-aid-israel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCBAcD_m8M4 (described in text by Craig Stellmacher)
Supports Israel: http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Mark_Dayton_War_+_Peace.htm

Mark Dayton voted to build a fence along the Mexican border.
http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Mark_Dayton_Immigration.htm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00262

Tom Emmer on Immigration: “Illegal immigration is, in fact, illegal. That is why I support Arizona in its efforts to reign in the unchecked flow of illegal immigrants, and that is why I support the implementation of measures to ensure that immigration to Minnesota is both legal and orderly.”
http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/issues/immigration/

Mark Dayton voted to retain capital gains tax cuts for the rich.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/Mark_Dayton_Tax_Reform.htm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00010
“Last year, when this body passed a version of this legislation, I voted for it, principally because it included my amendment requiring corporate executives to pay their fair share of taxes when they use their company planes for their personal use…. My amendment would have raised $44 million in Federal revenues during the next 10 years….”
[Mark Dayton, Congressional Record, 5/11/2006]
“Internal Revenue Service data show taxpayers who earned at least $1 million reaped 43 percent of all savings from reduced rates on dividends and capital gains…. The Joint Committee on Taxation, a bipartisan congressional panel, estimates that renewing the investment tax breaks will cost the government $50 billion in revenue it otherwise would have received.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=aUuyWDCDyRIk

Tom Emmer on Taxes: “Businesses should be rewarded for creating jobs, not saddled with more mandates and higher taxes…. High tax rates ultimately harm those they are intended to help by driving prosperous businesses and individuals away…. The top 10% of income earners pay more than half of Minnesota’s income taxes – the top 1% of income earners pay over 25%, while earning only 15.6% of total income. Raising income taxes will only result in high-income earners leaving the state.”
http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/issues/taxes/

Mark Dayton voted to give billions to coal, oil, nuclear, and ethanol.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00213
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/oil_timeline.html
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/article_redirect.cfm?ID=13980
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h6enr.txt.pdf

Tom Emmer on the Environment: “Radical activists are trying to convince us that everyday nutrients are causing cancer, that cows are causing ‘global warming’ and that hogs are getting people sick.”
http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/issues/agriculture/

Tom Emmer on Ethanol: “Today the issue ensnared – sort of – Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, when his opponents said he voted against a biofuels mandate in the state. Emmer said he thought he voted for the mandate, adding he supports alternative fuels…. The old MPR Votetracker (bless its now-dead heart) reveals that on April 27, 2005, Emmer voted for a bill that increased the ethanol content in a gallon of gasoline in Minnesota to 20 percent. The vote came after five hours of debate…. A conference committee worked out a deal which doubled the percentage of ethanol beginning in 2013, if a separate renewable fuel goal is not met. When that bill went back to the House for a vote, Emmer voted against it, according to Votetracker.”
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2010/08/fact_check_emmer_on_ethanol.shtml

Mark Dayton supports a state-run casino.
http://www.minnpost.com/braublog/2010/01/26/15328/mark_dayton_casino_support_should_surprise_no_one
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/82654562.html
http://mendotadakota.com/mn/2010/01/26/non-indian-state-run-casino-in-mn-could-be-coming-sooner-than-you-think/

Tom Emmer on Gambling: “I do not like the negative impact gambling has on our communities and families. Those who support any and all gambling will insist that our communities benefit greatly from tribally owned casinos. That is not true.”
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/pressreleasels85.asp?district=19B&pressid=1566&party=2

North Dakota has a state-run bank.
http://www.banknd.nd.gov/
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2009/03/how-nation%e2%80%99s-only-state-owned-bank-became-envy-wall-street
http://www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/reviving-the-local-economy-with-publicly-owned-banks

North Dakota has the lowest unemployment in the nation.
http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm

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RADIO AD #1

FH: Hi, I'm Farheen Hakeem, your Green Party candidate for Governor.

DD: And I'm Dan Dittmann, your Green Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor. We hear you, and we share your disappointment with our elected officials. We refuse to ignore the problems and we have the courage to bring the solutions.

FH: For years, the Green Party has raised issues like single payer, IRV, funding peace, not war, and wind and solar, much safer alternatives to oil. At the state level, I will put people before stadiums, make sure Arizona's racist immigration policies never become law in Minnesota, and I will be the pro-equality Governor who will sign same sex marriage into law.

DD: Unallotment shows Democrats and Republicans are only playing political games. We cannot expect the people who got us into this mess to get us out.

FH: Our strategy for victory is simple. You send money, and we keep running ads.

DD: Visit farheenhakeem.org to learn more.

FH: My name is Farheen Hakeem.

DD: And my name is Dan Dittmann.

FH: And we need your vote November 2nd.

DB: Paid for by Hakeem for Governor.

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STATUS UPDATE

Radio ad #1 aired on AM950 in July and August. Radio ad #2 is ready to roll as soon as Farheen gives the go-ahead. Personally, I would have set aside more for radio ads. We had $11,000, more than enough to run a total of 3 ads at $2,000 each. I can see that buttons, T-shirts, literature, and bumper magnets boost name recognition, but the progressive base is hungry for substance, and the Green Party role is to raise issues each election cycle. AM950’s market share might only be about 1%, but the audience is likely opinion leaders who can propagate our message through word of mouth. If we can keep sawing at the base, then perhaps the DFL edifice will fall. I feel that sometimes progressive candidates are reluctant to say anything negative, because they associate it with personal attacks, when really it’s just respectful differentiation. Dayton is vulnerable because he’s too conservative, and we just need to put the hammer down.

McKinney, Nader, Sheehan endorse Cavlan

Congrats to Michael Cavlan for picking up the endorsements of Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader, and Cindy Sheehan. Michael is running for 5CD US Rep. against Keith Ellison. Ellison betrayed the peace movement on Iraq funding, impeachment, and 9/11 Truth.

Government creates jobs

Tom Emmer said, “Government doesn't create jobs.”
http://wcco.com/local/tom.emmer.campaign.2.1877958.html

Government created his job. Government created my job. What is he talking about?

This is about core values. I believe it’s ok for government to help people. In fact, government’s purpose is to help people. It’s better to help people than to hurt people. Government is us. Government is what we make it. If you don’t think government can create jobs, just watch us.

Freedom of religion is key

The difference between the Islamic center in NY and the Quran burning is that one encourages freedom of religion while the other discourages it. However, the burners are themselves practicing their own religious ritual, albeit hateful, and are not physically hurting anybody, so they should be allowed to proceed. I do agree it’s getting too much attention. Betrayus’s comments to me sounded rather political for a military general. If the book-burning goes forward, perhaps it will be an opportunity to educate the world about how we have freedom of religion here. Book-burning becomes super-dangerous when people are denied access to knowledge and the free speech of others. But I don’t think that’s the case here. And now there’s talk about a supposed deal between the Islamic center people and the book burners. I don’t see any need for a deal. Let both proceed. Let people burn Qurans, Bibles, flags, and even copies of the constitution. Let’s just not violate the constitution itself.