The state of Minnesota has had many distinguished public figures serve in its state government and in Congress.
Among famous Minnesotans in politics have been Harold Stassen, Henrik Shipstead, Orville Freeman, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, Walter Mondale, and Paul Wellstone.
Now, unfortunately, we have a Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann, only in Congress since 2007, but already notorious for outrageous, divisive, and often crazy public statements and actions, including reasserting this week that President Barack Obama is “anti American”!
We also have outgoing Governor Tim Pawlenty, a likely seeker of the GOP Presidential nomination in 2012, who is wasting taxpayer money by signing on to a federal lawsuit being brought by at least a dozen Attorneys Generals, to prevent enforcement of the new Health Care reform legislation. Pawlenty is exploiting the situation, therefore presenting himself as a hard line conservative, joining mostly with southern leaders who want to promote “states rights”, an image that reminds one of slavery and segregation and nullification, terms that should be only referred to as part of our history’s sad record. Pawlenty has, apparently, no concern for people with pre-existing conditions, or for those dropped by their insurance companies, or those who receive a tremendous jump in premium costs, or for young people who will have no coverage after college, or for many others, altogether 32 million Americans, who do not seem to matter, as long as others have health care!
Minnesota cannot be proud of either Bachmann or Pawlenty, and hopefully, Bachmann can be removed from office as not being concerned that her district in Minnesota is the poorest, most deprived when it comes to health care and employment and foreclosures! And it seems highly unlikely that Tim Pawlenty will make very much progress in his quest to become our President! Certainly, Minnesota and the nation can do much better!
You make some very interesting points. I would agree with this and some earlier posts about problems surrounding Michele Bachmann. There is no doubt she is a sore for many. Advocating anarchy and law violation is obviously a policy no US Representative should encourage.
However, I do have to push back on your position regarding to states rights. Although the argument of states’ rights has been used to block progressive and beneficial policy initiatives such as civil rights and the erosion of slavery, the ability of states to act in their own interest has served this nation well. We cannot deny the idea of state rights is a fundamental component of our constitution. Thomas Jefferson was a fierce advocate of the idea that each state should have the ability to pursue its own policies in regards to certain issues. (Whether healthcare is an issue the states should exercise jurisdiction over vis a vis the federal government is a constitutional question which is now left to the courts.)
I would agree however, that many state executive position holders are using the healthcare legislation to bolster their support amongst party activists, but this is their constitutional right. States rights, and the ability to exercise those rights, is a critical component of our federal system, one where power is balanced and shared between the federal and state levels of government. Without states rights California would not be allowed to pursue stricter controls over pollution and car emissions. One could argue California is wasting taxpayer dollars by going to court with car manufactures. (http://www.sierraclub.org/planet/200209/cleaner_cars.asp)
One can also look at the evolution of laws regarding the restrictions on same sex marriage and laws dealing with narcotics to see the pivotal roles states play in making national policy. Without state’s rights these policy evolutions would not have occurred.
Essentially, it is important to recognize the vital role state rights has and will continue to have in our system of government. Our founders established our Federalist system of government for this very reason-that power should not be centered in far away capital, but rather shared with the people in their respective states. The ability of state to exercise its power is fundamental to our system of government and our political fabric. Governor Pawlenty and others have every right to challenge a federal policy which they feel erodes upon their state sovereignty. Unfortunately, health care was not an issue during the construction of the constitution and now this issue is before the courts. It becomes the duty of the judicial branch to decide what the constitution says about the federal government mandating individuals to buy health insurance.