A Better Minnesota Blog

The conservative, corporate-friendly Center of the American Experiment (CAE) released a report today claiming our state would be better off if we passed a "right to work" law, which would reduce workers' rights and gut labor unions.

Wait...what?!

Right to work, I can assure you, will not help working families. Instead, making Minnesota a right to work state would only advance corporations' bottom lines. So...what would actually happen if Minnesota implemented a right to work law?

• Lower wages for working families
• Weaker pensions for those who are struggling already
• Reduced health benefits
• More likelihood of low-quality construction projects
• Greater chance of workplace deaths

How is any of this helping middle-class families get back on track in these tough economic times? It's not.

As we all know, corporate CEOS spend billions to elect corporate-friendly politicians to office. These CEOs are attempting to keep their labor costs as small as possible, which means attacking workers through right to work laws.

Instead of ending corporate tax breaks, this plan will attack Minnesotan families. It's time to put our foot down. At a time when families are already fighting to make ends meet, why kick them when they're down?

Our long national nightmare is over, people.</sarcasm> Michele Bachmann has once again decided to seek office in Minnesota's 6th District. While we now know that Bachmann is once again in, we don't know what that district is going to look like. We also know that Michele Bachmann is pretty much empty in the pockets from her presidential adventure, but I'm pretty sure we can hear a collective groan hovering over the Anoka area right now if we listen closely. 

My big wonder is, will we see the same "I'm so totally from Iowa" commercials running while she runs for office here in Minnesota that made her so "popular" in Iowa? I think probably not.

From Kate:

In Washington, DC last week, groups of 10-20 Minnesotans waited (some for hours on end) in order to speak with their US Representatives. Jennifer Carpenter, an out-of-work education professional, urged Minnesota's Representatives who do not support the Jobs Bill or fair taxes to think of the people they're supposed to be representing.

"We need jobs in Minnesota. They need to vote on extending unemployment benefits. Nobody's getting a job tomorrow."

When Minnesota delegations visiting the offices of their Republican Representatives were poorly received (not not received at all), they stayed and waited until they got answers.

After a long wait, Rep. Kline expressed minimal sympathy for the idea of extending unemployment benefits, while Rep. Cravaack simply shared a personal story of his own unemployment, but made no concessions.

And after four hours of waiting, Rep. Paulsen gave Jennifer Carpenter a brief moment to speak her mind. How generous!

(Rep. Bachmann was not in DC. Rep. Ellison pulled some of the Occupy MNers into his office as they waited for other Representatives to express his enthusiastic support for the 99%!)

Are we the only ones who find it outrageous that our own elected officials don't have time for those whom they represent?

Our Deputy Director, Joe, flew to DC this week to take part in Take Back the Capitol. What is Take Back the Capitol, you ask?

This week, the 99% converge on the Capitol to take it back from corporate control.

It's time for the 99% to be a visible, peaceful presence on Capitol Hill. By day we'll show up at Congressional hearings and K Street lobbyists' offices, and by night we'll crash in church auditoriums, union halls, and in tents and sleeping bags.

Our goal is to remind Congress to represent all Americans--not just the richest 1%.

On Monday, folks flew in, set up the People's Camp by pitching tents, and got ready for the week ahead. Yesterday, folks (including the MN delegation) occupied Congressional offices to remind Congress that the Capitol is the People's House.

For the rest of the week, you can follow Alliance for a Better Minnesota's Facebook page as our Deputy Director Joe Davis updates on what goes on for the rest of the week. He'll also be tweeting updates at @doeyjavis.

From Kate:

In recognition of World Aids Day (December 1), Planned Parenthood empowered youth to lead a campaign for education and services for their peers. Although the global incidence rate of HIV is lower than in recent years, the rate of new infections is far too high.

Youth in Minnesota offered information and outreach in Duluth High Schools. Red ribbons were distributed and ideas were generated to contribute to conversations about Sexually Transmitted Infection prevention and treatment.

Qu Onda in Minneapolis held a leadership conference for Latino youth and Planned Parenthood-Minneapolis, North Dakota and South Dakota held HIV/AIDS themed movie nights.

The major piece towards prevention of HIV/AIDS infection is access to information and services, friends. Planned Parenthood is making a huge dent in this obstacle. Last year alone, over 60,000 STI tests were administered and more than 24,000 persons received educational services.

Way to go, Planned Parenthood!

Photo credit: Flickr

From Kate:

...if I need an abortion, my health care will not provide for me. It's completely outrageous that with over 40,000 women serving in the U.S. military, they are not deemed worthy of the standard of health care that cilivians receive. What a way to say thank you, am I right?

With cases of sexual assault, rape and incest regrettably being reported, our service women must be granted the right to get an abortion. It's baffling to see that all federal employees, women receiving Medicaid, and those receiving Indian Health Service are being supported in these traumatic and heinous situations, but the military health care does not offer any help.

Sen. Shaheen of New Hampshire proposed an amendment that would return fairness to military policy and allow the military health system to cover abortion care. The House members ruthlessly denied this right to service women in the spring. Now it's up to the Senate to fight for those who fight for us.

Just as these women take risks for our well-being, we must return the favor. The issue at hand is that Majority Leader Reid and Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, have to put Sen. Shaheen's amendment into action.

Not only is the Shaheen amendment a statement for a woman's right to necessary health care access, but it also stands as an observation of the inequalities ignored between our military service women and the women for whom they fight.

Photo credit: Flickr

From Kate:

As we come up on the holiday season, we have many opportunities to give to food drives and our local food pantries. The recent issues, however, are not the quantity alone, but the quality of the food donated.

Not to fear, however! Healthy donations do not need to be pricey. Instead of tossing a package of Ramen noodles in a food drive cart, trade it in for low-sodium canned soup or pinto beans for the same price!

Many commonly donated items are very high in sodium, sugar and calories. More and more folks consistently depend on these donations, many of whom have diet-related health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Take Dorothy Jones, a 63-year-old diabetic who relies on food donations to get by in Milwaukee. She asks that we resist the impulse to lift spirits with cookies and treats.

"To be honest, I'd rather have fruit."

Although perishables aren't accepted at many food pantries, these produce needs are being met through suppliers, rather than by individual donors. Instead of things that can spoil, grab something from this list of recommended donations this year!

Recommended Donations

• Low-sugar cereal such as Cheeriors or Chex;
• Peanut butter;
• Cans or plastic containers of juice (make sure it's 100% juice, though!)
• Canned vegetables, any variety, marked light or low-sodium;
• Bags of pinto or black beans;
• Rice;
• Canned tuna fish;
• Powdered milk fortified with Vitamin D.

Donations to Avoid

• Foods high in sodium, fat, oils, or sugar;
• Chips, candy, cookies, and crackers;
• Sugary beverages;
• Items in glass bottles;
• Items that are expired or in damaged packaging.

All in all, when you donate to a church, school, or grocery store food drive, ask yourself, "Would I serve this to my family?"

Happy Holidays and Happy Giving!

From Kate:

103 U.S. Mayors have signed a letter to Obama asking him to reject the Keystone Pipeline project. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede are among those 103.

Trans-Canada claims the pipeline is beneficial and needed:

The U.S. consumres 15 million barrels of oil each day and imports 10 to 11 million barrels per day. Industry forecasts predict oil consumption will continue at these levels for the next two or three decades...

We should be encouraging folks in the U.S. not to rely so much on oil, not continuing to feed our reliance on oil by negatively impacting local communities.

Mayors Rybak and Brede are demanding that President Obama work with the communities that could be affected by the Keystone Pipeline Project, rather than against them like big oil companies want.

The letter argues that the pipeline, which would run from Canada to Mexico, needs more reviewing to analyze the impact on local communities' efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The high carbon project's present environmental review has too many gaps for us to accept it at this point.

One of the most terrifying gaps is that leaks happen. The mayors are urging President Obama to remember the 30 leaks that polluted the U.S. and Canada this year alone.

So let's take a moment to thank Mayors Rybak and Brede for standing up for local communities trying to protect our environment against big oil.

For more information about why stopping the Keystone pipeline is so important, head over to our partner organization Bold Nebraska's website. They are doing tremendous and important work on this issue.

Photo credit: Flickr

Three months ago, Michele Bachmann was on top of the world. She had just won big at the Iowa Straw Poll and was a real contender in the race for the Republican nomination. A couple weeks ago, she was back in Iowa, but the momentum surrounding her candidacy has definitely taken a turn for the worse.

In fact, the Associated Press wrote at the end of September:

Michele Bachmann spent so much money in Iowa in August to win a statewide test vote that her web videos look more amateurish than professional now.

Ouch.

So let's recap: Michele Bachmann was once again Iowa because she's still running for president despite having no money, lagging way behind in polling and producing amateurish campaign videos.

In a desperate attempt to revive her campaign, Bachmann announced her 11-point economic plan. The bad news for her is that even Republicans believe she would do damage to the economy if elected president.

Clearly, Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign has faded into the background of the Republican nomination. She's polling in the single digits, guys. The question we should ask her now is: why haven't you dropped out of the race?

This is just another sign of her misguided priorities. Instead of focusing on getting America back to work, Bachmann said that as president one of her first actions would be to shut down the US Department of Education. Um, what? Obviously even Republicans are beginning to see that Bachmann is just too extreme to be our president. She should just admit defeat and go back to doing her job--representing her constituents.

It's shameful how she has neglected the 6th District while on the campaign trail. If you can believe it, Michele Bachmann did not vote a single time in September. According to House records, she has missed 58 percent of the rollc all votes since July 1, when her presidential campaign went into high gear.

Congresswoman Bachmann, it's time to admit defeat and get back to work.

Photo credit: Flickr

From Kate:

Governor Dayton called Sen. Hann "disgraceful" for blocking a plan for health-related grants. The package is for $25 million in federal grants for elderly, ill and disabled Minnesotans over the span of five years.

Hann considers it to be "irrational" to offer grants to children with cancer and for those suffering from Alzheimers. Hann's attempt to either stop the grant money from coming in altogether or to delay it would halt home services for veterans, and would leave patients of chronic illness due to tobacco use and obesity without financial assistance.

Governor Dayton said that Hann's action is an "outrageous abuse of an individual legislator's power," and so will bypass Hann's letter by placing an "urgency" clause.

Hann defended himself by calling the grants "irrational" and that they begged further review.

The grants would be beneficial to so many Minnesotans that Hann's unbelievable actions need to be stopped immediately.

Photo credit: Flickr