Al Franken won, Coleman concedes

There must be something in the water of those 10,000 lakes up there that people were stupid enough to vote for this joke. Expect him to be a One Term Wonder.

It's about time!

Looks like the dems stole another election

Well like our corrupt governor here in Illinois said of the FBI phone taps ....."Frickin Gloden"

Typical democrats keep counting (even the votes from the cemetary) till you get what you want!!!

We in Illinois know how it works...It's the Chicago Way !!!
Good Luck Minnesota...YOU'LL NEED IT !!!

Congratulations: SENATOR AL FRANKEN!

Looks like Norm Coleman became the comedy in this fight.

HAHAHAHA... Republicans complaining about democrats "stealing an election". Now that is RICH! How short your memories are...

This is the Al Franken decade! Congratulations Senator Franken!

By all means, Congress is filled with clowns and jokers, so Al Franken is the perfect addition.

fantastic. things just keep getting better and better.

congratulations senator franken!

If it wasn't official already, the United States Congress has now most certainly become a laughing stock and utter embarrassment.

Anyone else think it's odd that the author included a quote from the secy-treas of the SEIU, the union that's in bed with ACORN?

It's about freaking time! CONGRATS SENATOR FRANKEN!

And the losers here are the people of Minnesota. Franken will not get a decent committee assignment, as they're given by seniority and Coleman has held him up for 8 months.

Hope you're happy Norm; now go away.

Let's hope that all these frivolous Republican lawsuits are over. For griping about frivolous lawsuits, the Rebpublicans sure filed a bunch of them.

Oh, poor Republicans. The election stolen right out from under you. Maybe you can go to your twin city airport and tap out a message for Sen. Craig.

Please people-this is the same state that gave us Jesse "the Body" for Governor. Do you really expect more?

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo to Senator Franken!

It's about time a decision was rendered. What was Coleman thinking? What kind of advice did he listen to? Is he just tossing his political career away? There will be another day and another race to run.
The citizens of Minnesota have been short-changed for all these months. And the country could have used another voice to help in the deliberations in the U.S.Senate.

Republicans are fine with an uneducated, Austrian weightlifter running a state (into the ground), but a Harvard educated political satirist being 1 of 50, well that's just too risky. GOP is the joke.

To all the Republicans decrying the election of a comedian to the U.S. Senate, check the film work of your hero Ronald Reagan. It ain't exactly Shakespeare. Congratulations Sen. Franken!

Senator Al Franken - a Harvard grad, a member of MENSA and professional comedian

Norm Coleman - a Joke

This was the most tranparent re-count in the history of American elections, they even had a live video feed where you could watch the recount being done as it happened.

Nice Try Republicans, but your days of stealing elections from the American people are OVER!

I guess stuffing your car trunk with forged ballots pays in Minn just as ACORN's fraud counted in many others. Welcome to Iran.

CHANGE you had better believe in.

Know what I like best about Republicans? It's their absolute respect for the rule of law. Now that Minnesota's highest court has ruled, I know we can look forward to a new era of civil discourse from our fellow citizens on the right.

The Senate needs Al Franken more than Al Franken needs to be Senator. He will certainly provide a sharp wit and will hopefully not be too bored by the other snore-a-saurs that sit in that chamber.

I never knew there were so many stupid people in Minnesota!. They
must of had brain freeze. If they can
steal an election in Minnesota, then I don't think there will ever be an honest election anywhere. Come to think of it what about the 65 million dumb idiots that put this snake oil salesman in the
White House.

The junior senator for IL may now leave the room, your services a no longer needed.

Coleman was an incumbent and should have won easily.

Instead of crying about Acorn, wingnuts, maybe you can do some soul-searching to figure out how you turned an easy victory into a (close) loss.

At least Al Franken backed up his words and actually ran for office (and won).

You'll never see right-wing blowhards like Druggy Rush, Bill-O and Seany Hannity do that. They know they're full of crap and unelectable.

Another brainless twit in the senate.

When will be people learn?

Isn't Congress already a joke?

I've yet to hear anyone on the right articulate what it is that they think ACORN does that's so bad and then provide FACTS to support that argument (and I'm not talking about bogus 'facts' that they got from Glenn Butthead and Michelle Malkin etc)

Shouting "ACORN" has become similar to someone yelling that a monster is on the loose to them. The right-wing noise machine yells it and the Wingnuts all cower in fear. It's weird but it's also par for the course for the unhinged fringers who make up what's left of todays GOP base.

ACORN is a Pavlovian response to the wingnuts. They don't have anything to back up their wild allegations, but they don't care. It works well enough for them simply to rave.

The fact that Coleman never accused ACORN of anything during the trial shows that their allegations (as usual) are bogus.

The dems stole another election!!!
At least Al Gore had the decency to concede when our Supreme Court decided Bush was President (shades of Iran).
This piece of garbage Coleman subverted the system for most of a year.

never knew there were so many stupid people in Minnesota!. They
must of had brain freeze. If they can
steal an election in Minnesota
Posted by: Paul | June 30, 2009 3:54 PM
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Yeah, I can't believe Minnesota would elect a sociopath like Michelle Bachman either.
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http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/23/bachmann-armed-and-dangerous/

Most logical thinking folks knew this a few months back. Poor crybaby Republicans. Go in the corner and suck your thumb. Coleman is a piece of trash.

Oak Lawn Bill and other right wing wack jobs just can't stand the fact that Franken won--and their guy lost. That's what it comes down to.

Too bad--it's still not payback for how The Republican Supreme Court ruled for and stole the 2000 presidential election. We'll all be paying for that injustice for generations...

“Republicans are fine with an uneducated, Austrian weightlifter running a state (into the ground), but a Harvard educated political satirist being 1 of 50, well that's just too risky. GOP is the joke.”
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Posted by: Paul | June 30, 2009 3:35 PM
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In this, you are gravely mistaken, Sir. It is the well-educated Democrats in the California Legislature that are running that State into the ground. Ahhnold only has trouble because they keep voting to spend money the State doesn’t have. It’s just a matter of common sense that a State can’t pay for a $134 billion budget with $94 billion in revenues.

I feel compelled to point out that *Norm Coleman* was a one-term wonder in the Senate. Giving credit where due, Norm said all the right things today. Can a gubernatorial run be far behind?

Chavez, Hitler, Barry O., and Ahmaidinejad were all elected too.

As a republican, I can actually say I am happy. Now the Senate is closer to passing American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap and Trade - also know as the American Industry Killer) and the Hate Crimes Bill (also known as the pedophile protection act). This liberal administration and all there foolish bills is just what the GOP Doctor ordered for the GOP to regain control in 2010 and the Presidency in 2012.

Stupid Republicans. MN law REQUIRED the multiple recounts. What, now you want judges to create law out of thin air instead of following it? Hypocrites!

It is such a pleasure to listen to all the core nut-case republicans commenters out these howling into empty air - the madder and more irrational you get, the more I like it. Thanks and keep it up!

Chavez, Hitler, Barry O., and Ahmaidinejad were all elected too.

Posted by: BDD | June 30, 2009 4:29 PM
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Clown,
Keep up the crazy talk, it's one of the many reasons why you right-wing lunatic fringers can't win elections anymore.

You honestly have to wonder what is in the water of those 10,000 lakes in Minnesota that they would elect someone with the credentials of Al Franken. The man is vile beyond belief, has absolute unbridled unapologetic hatred towards anything even remotely resembling conservatism, and is going to do little for his state other than make it an even bigger laughingstock than it already is with what I am sure will be a rather extensive listing of lunatic rantings and ravings every single time he gets handed the microphone on the Senate floor. So for those who say "Congratulations Senator Franken", consider it to be a short short celebration, especially every single time Franken will open his mouth to say something from now until his term mercifully ends.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a great Republican as John W says. To prove what a great Republican he is, he has proposed entirely eliminating the State's welfare system during theis economic crisis. He supports the policies that all good conservatives like John W support: Hunger, homelessness, disease. He will cut the budget to the bone, so that every last corporation can have their tax credits, and every last poor person has suffered as much as possible. I'm glad we have strong Republicans like Gov. Schwarzenegger and John W who have the courage to ensure that the right people pay for California's problems: The poor, the unemployed, and sick children. Join the Governor, John W and I in working to ensure that we have the California we need. A California where the streets are filled with the homeless, hungry and sick. Join us in our crusade to ensure that the poor have no aid, no hope, no future and no sustanence. That's true Republicanism. That's conservatism at it's best, kicking sick children in the teeth.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-26-california-budget_N.htm

Al Frankenstein. First Jesse and now this. This putz is just MN deserves.

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Posted by: Compassionless Conservative | June 30, 2009 4:54 PM
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I couldn't agree more.

I wonder how Californians are liking watching their Government drown in a bathtub?

Pay no attention to Johnny W, he's a government hating Republican/Libertarian nutjob whose one step away from packing up his guns and ammo and moving to a secluded ranch in Montana to hide from the black helicopters.

I think it is too early for anyone to decide if he will be good or bad for the State if Minnesota. Surely he cares enough to run and then fight for this seat. The Republicans are always touting how wonderful the actor turned politician Mr. Reagan was, how about giving Mr. Franken the same chance at doing some good? And just because he is a Democrat, does not mean he'll do everything the party says. I wouldn't count votes until he is seated and see where his thoughts lie.

Hey Unionman, after the 2000 presidential election, you have NOTHING to say about stealing elections EVER again.

After all, it turned out so swell for the country.

While you're doing a biography of Al Franken, report that he has a Harvard Univarsity degree (in Economics or something).
That's newsworthy!

Yay! A real live progressive Democrat, someone whom Paul Wellstone would have wanted to succeed him. As for having been a comedian at one time in his life, humor will be his weapon in the Senate. The joke is mightier than the sword.

This isn't CHANGE, it's insanity!
Wake up America!!!

It is now time for the great political party the Democrats to turn their backs on the Republicant. Just say no....to the party of no and lets get something done for the people instead of the gready corporations. This is the best day for the people of this country.

Hey Union man, I don't think the Dem's stole this one like your Bush buddies did in Florida....that was pure THEFT!!!

Congrats Al, you obviously deserve it after fighting the tool known as Norm!

A proud day for Minnesota! I think the people of Minnesota should take this opportunity to re-name their state in celebration of this victory for intelligent democracy. May I suggest Illinois- North or New Jersey - West or maybe Iran of the North Woods?

Hopium Dopium

This race was close, but it's stupid to say that Coleman was somehow the victim. He got his day in court, and he lost. That said, as a moderate Democrat I am decidedly uneasy about a filibuster-proof majority. These things always end badly: the Dems will become arrogant and stupid, and the Repubs will likely become more conservative and exclusionist. Nothing good will come of this.

Why do you Rushpublicans think you keep losing elections? Its because you come off as total wackos with all this anger, hatred, and paranoia. But keep it up. I love the sound of whining losers in the afternoon.

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Posted by: Compassionless Conservative | June 30, 2009 4:54 PM
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Re-read my post, loony-tune. I never said that Ahhnold was a great Governator. I said his problems are the product of the bone-headed spending practices of the Democrats who dominate the California Legislature. And that’s the truth. If it weren’t for their idiotic spending practices, Ahhnold would have neither a reason nor pretext to trash all the programs you mentioned. They are many of the same goons that helped get Grey Davis tossed out of the governor’s office because of runaway spending. The People of California have had enough of this. That’s why they rejected ballot initiatives that would have attempted to balance the budget by raising taxes even more. They are tired of being taxed so much. So are all the businesses that are now looking to move out of state.

CGull -- I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Michelle Bachman, since she is the exact opposite of the description you give for Al Franken -- " . . . has absolute unbridled unapologetic hatred towards anything even remotely resembling conservatism" -- her hatred of anything even remotely resembling liberalism -- heck, or even "compassionate conservatism."

John W, I agree with you, it's the Democrats spending practices that the Governor is cracking down on. I agree that spending practices that help sick kids are the problem. Spending on the poor is the problem. That what yh\ou I and the Governor are going to stamp out! I can't wait to march down to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles with you and the Governor to drag the sick children of poor people kicking and screaming out of their hospital beds and throw them out on the street where they belong. Won't that be a great day for conservatism John? That will show the world what proper conservative spending practices are! Lower taxes, more tax credits for corporations and no more coddling sick kids. I know you are with me John, working hard for those principals we hold so dear against the poor and the sick. I, like you, am sick and tired of my taxes going to provide healthcare to children and food to the poor.

Are they really going to make this guy a senator?

Franken’s radio show was a flop because few wanted to hear his boring anti-American drivel, but that didn’t stop the DNC from putting this bozo on the ballot. And they were going to do the same for Chris Tingle Matthews until polls revealed widespread revulsion at the thought.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/

The front web page headline read: "Franken finally wins." That pretty much shows the Tribune's editorial bias. It should have read, "Coleman finally concedes."

Whether you believe Coleman "really" won or that Franken won, the Tribune cannot leave it to the candidates to determine who won or who lost.

The people vote and the people decide. We need not wait for the candidates to concede.

Coleman, in the meantime, owes the nation an apology for dragging out this result longer than Gore did the presidential election - arguably a more important election - in 2000.

I guess the GOP will have to draft Vin Diesel or maybe Bruce Willis to run in 2014. Maybe Alan Keyes is interested ??

Compassionless Conservative,

The problem in California is the 2/3's rule that Republicans have working for them and against democracy.

California would be able to handle things better but since everything they do has to have a 2/3 majority vote that means minority Republicans (even though they can't earn it with the voters) get to strut around with a feather in their cap knowing that as the minority they can screw up everything Democrats want to do in California.

There are a number of groups (of which I'm a member) that are going to be working to get the crappy 2/3 law repealed soon (2010 or 2012). The Republicans can spend all the money they want on to try and stop but it won't matter because Californians are sick and tired of the 2/3 law.

Franken's a talentless, know-nothing idiot. I predict he'll end up looking like a buffoon.

I will never understand the political left. How is it possible to come down on the wrong side of history in every single thing. I don't mean emotional issues, simply straight forward items like economics. I cannot believe that the left willfully ignores simple facts

Coleman another Obama rubber stamp.

What a disgrace to Minnesota and ultimately to the United States. I'm ashamed that the people would vote for such a pathetic representative!

Wow, MN is the laughingstock of the US. Good job, folks. Stuart Smalley for President!

Another stolen election. Oh well, we love morons in the USA. Welcome Senator Franken. The USA is toast.

Bitter crackers for the GOP!

Voter fraud. Works every time!

Looks like the dems stole another election
Posted by: Unionman | June 30, 2009 2:56 PM

Um kind of like how the wingnuts stole the election from Gore? Is that what you mean??

I don't think there will ever be an honest election anywhere. Come to think of it what about the 65 million dumb idiots that put this snake oil salesman in the
White House.
Posted by: Paul | June 30, 2009 3:54 PM

You're referring to Bush in 2000 right?

Now the Senate is closer to passing American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap and Trade - also know as the American Industry Killer) and the Hate Crimes Bill (also known as the pedophile protection act).
Posted by: Brian A | June 30, 2009 4:40 PM

Ya nothing like clean air for your children. And your stupid pedophile protection act comment? Are you serious? MORON!!

Franken's a talentless, know-nothing idiot. I predict he'll end up looking like a buffoon.
Posted by: TomD | June 30, 2009 8:15 PM

Kind of like when Bush did a photo op on an aircraft carrier looking through his binoculars with the lens caps on??

I'm ashamed that the people would vote for such a pathetic representative!
Posted by: Whatever | June 30, 2009 8:48 PM

Yes such an educated man doesnt deserve to be a senator! What scares you most, the fact that he has an education or the fact that you dont?

Another stolen election. Oh well, we love morons in the USA. Welcome Senator Franken. The USA is toast.
Posted by: John Birch | June 30, 2009 9:01 PM

Remind me again which other election was stolen by the Dems? You cant mean the presidential election? MORON!

What a disgrace to Minnesota and ultimately to the United States. I'm ashamed that the people would vote for such a pathetic representative!

Posted by: Whatever | June 30, 2009 8:48 PM
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Wow, MN is the laughingstock of the US. Good job, folks. Stuart Smalley for President!

Posted by: Illinois mom | June 30, 2009 8:55 PM
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Another stolen election. Oh well, we love morons in the USA. Welcome Senator Franken. The USA is toast.
Posted by: John Birch | June 30, 2009 9:01 PM

------------------------------------------
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These kinds of unhinged comments from the GOPer minions is a perfect example of why they've become nothing more than a very small regional party (the south) in 2009.

I'm a believer in having a strong opposition party but that opposition party has to be sane and what's left of the 2009 GOP is batsh*t crazy.

If you GOPer nuts want to start winning elections again, instead of just calling the opposition names on message boards and repeating the mindless talking points you get from Faux News and Druggy Rush etc, you're going to have to start producing better policys and better candidates.

Until you do so you're going to be stuck screaming like a bunch of petulant children on a blog and people will do nothing but continue to ignore you.

The Al Franken Century Finally Begins!

Get your butt out of politics Coleman.

Get your butt to DC, Senator Franken!

Sounds like it's time for that slimeball Norm Coleman to go on a long vacation to Argentina.

The best part about all of this? All of that MONEY the RNC WASTED to keep the stupid useless appeals going!

Not to mention the expense Coleman and the Republican party put Minnesotans through with this political stunt that was designed to deny Dems 60 votes for as long as possible. I see nothing classy about anything Coleman did during this entire fiasco. It was nothing but typical Republican thuggery.

Franken for President 2016 (so sayeth the ghost of Senator Paul Wellstone)

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Posted by: Compassionless Conservative | June 30, 2009 7:04 PM
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Wrong again, Ding Dong. It is the fact that they spend too much that is the problem. Right now, California’s revenue shortfall puts us at 2003 levels. However, the California Legislators has us spending far in excess of 2003 levels for no apparent reason. There have been no corresponding demographic shifts in sufficient numbers to change the amount spent on certain programs. All the same, California's spending has increased at a rate much higher than either the rate of inflation or population growth. Just over the last five years, spending has increased by 40%. And you know something else? When California wasn’t spending that extra 40%, the New York Times wasn’t reporting that Californians were starving on the streets in record numbers, or that the poor were not being cared for. So your argument for “necessity” of spending just doesn’t wash.
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So why do they spend too much? First of all, the California Legislature sets out their extravagant budget expenditures before they even know how much revenue is or will be collected. They do not make conservative revenue estimates. This is a routine problem that is inexcusable. Term limitations compound the problem because they create a disincentive to incumbents to establish long term budgetary policies. Second, the California Legislature tends to make long term financial commitments in boom years that become unsustainable in bust revenue years. These commitments have reduced the States flexibility in controlling its spending. Third, California’s budget depends largely on personal income tax revenues on the richest Californian’s. When the richest in the State don’t do well, California’s revenues take a dive. It is a very unstable revenue source, which would normally call for greater caution (that doesn’t get exercised). Fourth, businesses and investment capital are fleeing the State because of the business-unfriendly taxation and regulatory schemes in the state. It has the sixth highest tax burden in the country. This is why the State is forced to rely more on sales tax and individual income tax revenues and less on corporate tax revenues. Fifth, the State of California has committed to unsustainable increases in State employee compensation and benefits. Democrats are beholden to public-sector unions - representing everyone from teachers to prison guards to sanitation workers. And these folks have a knack for putting their interests before the common good.
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When strict budget and spending restraints were imposed in the ‘70s, the State prospered. It is only after the State began to shed spending restraints that the financial problems of California followed. So, yes, indeed there are good grounds to lay the blame for the current problems at the foot of the idiots in the State Legislature. It takes idiocy to believe that the government has to do everything for everyone, and that individuals have little or no responsibility for their own destiny.
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Elephant Hunter: Good luck on repealing the 2/3 vote rule. It’s not just a law. It’s in the State Constitution. I realize that it’s hard to find because the State Constitution reads like War and Peace. But trust me, it’s in there. As such, you will have to have another ballot initiative to repeal it. Good luck getting that on the ballot and passed. Furthermore, repealing the 2/3 rule isn’t going to make things in California any better. It’s just going to make it easier for the Democrats to raise taxes, drive more businesses out of the state and depress economic growth. People here are already hurting even with the 2/3 rule restraining the Legislature. I’ll be out there helping whoever is opposed to that change.

Franken's a talentless, know-nothing idiot. I predict he'll end up looking like a buffoon.
Posted by: TomD | June 30, 2009 8:15
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Do you mean, like Bush&Cheney !!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

John W, I agreee with you wholeheartedly. I don't uderstand why you don't get that. We both agree that California has been reckless in spending money and that spending needs to be cut. We both agree with the Governor that eliminating every last dime of spending to provide healthcare to sick childen is absolutely the best place to start. One we get those little leeches off the hard working people of the state like you and I, things will be much better. I also agree with you and the Governor that times of economic hardship is the best time to cut off all welfare aid to the poor. We stand with the Governor in understanding that it's not enough to trim welfare, even back to the 2003 levels, we understand that it is imperative to fully eliminate all welfare spending. The sooner they start starving, the sooner everyone will see the benefits of conservatism. I agree with you that the state's priorities should be guys like you and me first, corporations second, and the poor not at all. I agree its idiocy to put the needs of sick children above corporate tax credits. So, buddy, are you ready to join me down at the Children's Hospital to help toss out the little leaches we can't affford to take care of, and never should have taken care of in the first place? Are you ready to help me get California past it's misplaced priorities there? I'll tear out the IV, you grab the kid and drag it out to the curb. If the parents complain, you'll just tell them that their kids healthcare isn't a necessity, OK? Sound like a plan, my conservative friend?

Just over the last five years, spending has increased by 40%. And you know something else? When "California wasn’t spending that extra 40%, the New York Times wasn’t reporting that Californians were starving on the streets in record numbers, or that the poor were not being cared for. So your argument for “necessity” of spending just doesn’t wash."

You aren't really characterizing the situation correctly here,or making an honest comparisson. Schwarzenegger isn't proposing cutting the extra 40%, he's proposing the complete elimination of the programs to provide healthcare for low income children, and the complete elimination of that state's workfare system. Not cuts, elimination. That's a very big difference. So the comparison to the time before the 40% increase doesn't hold water. Even Republicans admit that the Governor's proposed cuts would have a devastating impact on the poor, and especially for poor children. At least they are honest about it, unlike this John W character. John W apparently supports the cuts, but doesn't have the moral courage to admit that he wants to solve the states budget problems by eliminating healthcare coverage for nearly a million low income children, and by eliminating financial support for half a million families.

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Posted by: Compassionless Conservative | July 1, 2009 9:54 AM
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No, it doesn’t sound like a plan. I do not agree with the Governor’s plan to cut health care benefits to children or to cut welfare to the poor; and certainly not as deeply as he plans. State-level government is where these kinds of plans should be implemented, if at all. Besides, reduction of these areas will cause the State to loose matching funds from the federal government. I’m not a big fan of federal involvement in welfare programs, but losing money from any source is not a wise move right now.
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In addition, these are not the areas in which the State Legislature has gone overboard in spending money. If the State Legislature would let loose of some of its sacred cows - like the public employees’ and teachers’ unions, we might be able to come close to balancing the budget. California spends over half of its entire budget on education - which is more than the total budget of many states put together. All the same, its K-12 schools are ranked 47th in the country for quality, and supposedly receive less money per child than many other states. There is something very wrong with the way money is allocated if this is true. California is also far out of line with the rest of the States with the compensation and benefits it provides to public employees - even after considering the differences in cost of living. This is the result of a very “generous” Legislature - rather than common sense. Making changes in just these few areas would go a long way to rectify the budget problems in California. That is not to say there aren’t other areas where the Legislature has gotten too extravagant. Saving tax revenue surpluses from boom years, and setting responsible long term budget policies would also be a great help.
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You see, the problem with the whole situation is that the Legislature and Ahhnold are all beholding to a lot of special interest groups - and especially public service unions. See http://reason.tv/video/show/783.html Children and poor people can’t or don’t vote, so cutting them from the budget isn’t going to cause much political blow-back. But don’t think for a second that I think that doing so is either fair or moral.

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Posted by: A concerned Californian | July 1, 2009 10:42 AM
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You would be a fabulous propagandist were your logic not so at odds with what I wrote. I never said that I favored the Governator’s entire proposed fix for the situation. I simply made the observation that his problems started with the Legislature’s inability to control spending. If you had asked me directly, I would have told you that I think Ahhnold’s proposed cuts to children’s health care and welfare are cowardly. He is cutting from groups that have little or no political clout - which makes them an easy target. He shouldn’t cut those programs at all.
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You have also taken my comments about the 40% increase entirely out of context. I was referring to a 40% increase in overall state government spending over the last five years. California has had children’s health care programs and welfare longer than five years, in which case the 40% increase is not accounted for by increases in both programs, at least not solely by such increases. My point was that we were apparently spending enough to keep people from starving before, in which case the Legislature’s extra expenditures can’t be justified by the need to spend more on welfare. I was actually pointing to the fact that the Legislature’s excess are to be found elsewhere in the budget - and not with the welfare system. This was in response to Compassionless Conservative’s snarky suggestion that California needed to spend all the extra money to fund welfare programs. That is different from saying that I think welfare expenditures should go.

Ahh, so it the greedy overpaid teachers and state workers who are at fault.

Gotta love conservatives like this John W guy. They go nuts if anyone suggests that Wall street CEO and banker pay is too high, and then they turn around and sat that the teacher who makes $50,000 a year educating there children is greedy and over paid. How much less should out teachers make? Ids $30,000 a year to much? How about we pay them minimum wage? We certainly wouldn't want to dig any further into the pockets of that CEO making millions per year to keep paying those greedy unionized teacher those outrageously high salaries they currently get, would we?

A close election, stolen by a bona fide clown. Wisconsin, Vermont, Kalifornia, look what Minnesota has done. Can u one up dis?

Al Franken is a joke but he fits right in with all the other clowns in the senate, the people of Minnesota must be really proud of their newest senator.

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Posted by: a concerned Californian | July 1, 2009 1:35 PM
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Have you always been so dull witted, or are you being this way now just to spite me?
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Wall Street isn’t sucking the life out of California’s government. In which case, Wall Street is irrelevant to California’s problems, and bringing it up is a red herring.
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But unions representing public employees and teachers are relevant. So is the mismanagement of funding for public education. (I never said it was just the teachers.) These things are sucking the life out of California’s government and bringing important services to a halt. We spend upwards of 52% of the entire budget on education, and more than 44% of the budget just on K-12 schools. In real dollars, that means that the K-12 education budget is at approximately $72 billion from all sources. That’s more than spending for education five years ago, despite the fact that average daily attendance by students in that same time period had declined by 74,000 students. Is this setting off any bells yet? What’s more, despite all this spending, our K-12 schools are ranked 47 out of 50 among the States. If that doesn’t scream of malfeasance and the need for reform, I don’t know what does. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Snarky.

So John W,. what's your answer? Are you willing to teach a classroom full of kids for less money than the teachers make now? Are you? Tell us John W, exactly how much less should a teacher make so that educating your children doesn't suck the life blood out of California? How much more below the national average per student does California have to send on education to please an uneducated cretin who clearly disdains teachers and public education like you do?

As to Wall Street not sucking the life blood out of California, I recall you ranting about business taxes being too high, don't I? Our Governor refuses to limit corporate tax credits doesn't he? I guess that money is more important than educating our kids, right? Money for big business, but not for teachers and education. Great priorities there.

Stuart Smalley Goes to Washington

Minnesotans, this is your new senator!

“Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”

Truer words were never spake nor writ than that cynical observation of H.L. Mencken. The good citizens and the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota confirmed their truth by electing and confirming Al Franken, aka Stuart Smalley, as United States Senator.

I had hoped and thought it was some judicial mistake or a reporting error but then I read it on USA Today so, regrettably, it can’t be an error even if the ruling was a gross miscarriage of justice: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-06-30-franken-senate_N.htm?csp=34

He’s just what the senate and the nation need in these critical times, an unfunny clown to complement the executive branch’s entry for the nation’s most outstanding circus performer, Joe Biden.

Lackluster, talentless comic, tireless abuser of American values, failed left wing radio talk show host Franken will represent Minnesota for the next six, long years in the hallowed hall of the “world’s greatest deliberative body,” thereby proving that H.L. Mencken was indeed a prophet in his own land.

When Democrat Franken first announced he would make a run for the senate seat then held by Republican Norm Coleman, it was widely assumed to be another joke by the media-hungry Franken but it turned out he was being serious for a change.

It was in fact a joke, a bitter jest that he would think himself qualified to be a United States Senator and believe Minnesotans would elect him.

The joke appears to be on us scoffers following months of recounts, protests, and Democratic Party chicanery that would have made Chicagoans proud. Their fellow midwesterners showed that dirty politics and ballot stuffing were not exclusive to Illinois and that the ”Land of 10,000 Lakes” could be as dumb and corrupt as they.

The Minnesota fraud that blossomed and grew exponentially was detected as early as November 8th, four days after voters cast their ballots: http://www.poligazette.com/2008/11/08/evidence-of-election-fraud-mounts-in-minnesota/. . . .

(See pictures and read the rest at http://genelalor.com)

Posted by: Gene Lalor | July 2, 2009 12:22 AM

LOL! As long as you wingnuts keep insulting Americans state wide the better it will be for all of us ! What MORONS you people really are.

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Posted by: A concerned Californian | July 1, 2009 10:02 PM
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You are just full of red herrings, aren’t you? Who said we had to start by cutting teacher’s salaries? How about if we start by eliminating a number of non-teaching jobs in the California Department of Education and some of the school districts. There are far too many Queen Bees and not enough drones. Maybe we can give some teachers a raise, slightly increase their class sizes, and eliminate a number of teaching jobs altogether. There are some teachers in California who can’t teach my dog to perform body functions. I don’t know why we need to keep them employed. The only difficulty comes from the fact the teacher’s union protects bad teachers too.
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In the second place, your views on teacher’s compensation are skewed. The average salary of a California teacher is $65,808. The figure for average salaries changes dramatically for teachers in larger urban areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco or San Jose. Average salaries in those school districts often top $70K to $90K. And that’s only their base pay. That doesn’t include their health care (including full dental, long-term disability and health insurance) or pension benefits. These are things most people have to pay for themselves or simply go without. In which case, I don’t feel so terribly bad about trimming a little of the largesse. I’m sure those teachers won’t mind loosing a few shekels to keep poor children healthy or poor people from starving.
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In the third place, there is also a large problem with the State’s employees’ compensation. This is something I keep mentioning, and you keep ignoring. Three months ago there were nearly a thousand state employees that earned more than 200,000. Before Ahhnold took office, there were only eight (8). The number of state employees making six-figure salaries has more than doubled in the same interval to approximately 15,000. Also, in the same time period the number of state workers has grown by 26,000. Even the Legislature voted itself a pay hike last year. Furthermore, the pension system allows a lot of state employees to retire at 55 with 90% of their pay. The only good news, it seems, is that Ahhnold refuses his salary. There is fertile ground for cost reduction. The state needs to seriously reduce its generosity. If it doesn’t happen, some federal judge will have to re-write the labor contracts after the state declares bankruptcy. After all, what about all those sick children who need health care? Isn’t their future a better investment? Can’t we trim a few more dollars from the state employees’ sweetheart compensation packages to provide food and shelter to the poor? Where are your priorities?

Welcome to the Senate, Senator-elect Franken !! The line of winners, starts on the left, the liberal line. While the line on the right, is the line of the whiners !! You may find Phil Gramm hiding amongst them, advising the whiners on matters, economic !! You know, like deregulate the greed of Wall Street or the Bandits in our Boardrooms. I think his newest book, is hitting the stands this weekend: How to scuttle an economy in five easy lessons !! Deregulate, deregulate, deregulate, deregulate and once more, deregulate !!
Good luck, Senator-elect Franken !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE.NOW.

John, one simple wuestion, which I'm quite sure you won't answer I(which won't stop you from your written excess):

Why should the teachers, and other state employees be willing to give up a few "shekels" (my, what an interesting choice of words), when you, who benefit from and depend on their work, are not, and when you don't expect the corporations to forgo a few "shekels" of tax credits?

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Posted by: A concerned Californian | July 2, 2009 4:38 PM
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Answer:
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1. They don't deserve all the shekels we pay them. I challenge your assumption that these people deserve these whopping increases in benefits just because you or I benefit from their work. There is a difference between cost and value. I don’t think they are worth the increased price at this point in time. If they can’t live without all that money, then maybe we can live without them and find someone currently unemployed to do the same job.
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2. We can't afford to pay them as much as we do - unless, of course, you care to see the State of California end up in bankruptcy court. You know, when you’re broke you just can’t afford stuff. States are like that because, unlike the federal government, they can’t simply go into deficit spending. California is already up to its eyeballs in trouble over bonds it has issued to make up for deficits. Its credit rating is just a couple levels above junk.
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3. Teachers and state employees have no more right to a better lifestyle at taxpayer’s expense in tough economic times than anyone else.
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- and -
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4. Corporations are already leaving the state in droves because of the heavy taxation and burdensome regulatory schemes here. Many companies that used to line the streets in Silicon Valley have already moved to Texas, Oregon, or elsewhere where the taxes are lower. We have been driving our corporate tax base away through taxation and, with it, a lot of jobs.
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And now I have a few questions for you. Why should we tax corporations more just so we can spend more? Don’t we spend enough? In a hardscrabble recession like this, don’t you think it’s prudent to actually watch government spending? Don’t you realize that businesses in this state tend to downsize - when they are not moving away - when they lose operating capital to taxation? Do we really need to lose more jobs in this state just so teachers and state employees can get fatter?
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PS - My use of the word ‘shekel’ was not, and is not, intended to have any significant other than as a vivid and ironic way to describe money. What’s your problem?

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Posted by: A concerned Californian | July 2, 2009 4:38 PM
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PS - Who said I don’t pay my fair share in this State in taxes? I most certainly do. Thus, you claim that I am not giving up shekels is patently false.

Yep, Typical conservative. Theose greedy teachers and government workers don't deserve what they make (even though less than what they would make for comparative responsibility in the private sector). John W, however deserves every dime, err Shekel, he makes. He's important. He''s valuable. Not like thopse "leaches on the public" who work for the government.Him wanting to keep what he has is justice. A teacher wanting to keep what they have is greed.

Shekel, a monetary unit associated with an ethnic and religious group that has been stereotyped for centuries as greedy, grasping, and decietful. A group that has also been accused by certain paranoid morons as seceretly controlling the system, especially through "socialist" groups like unions. Is that the vividness you intended to bring to our conversation? What's so vivid about the shekel John? Would it be equally "vivid" for me to refer to your money as Reichmarks?

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Posted by: a concerened Califorinian | July 3, 2009 10:02 AM
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If - out of all I have written, you think I am talking only about greedy teachers and public employees; you think I am some kind of anti-Semite; you think that everyone paid by the State of California provides valuable services commensurate with their compensation; or you think that we can keep on spending our way out of our problems - you have absolutely no grasp on reality or the English Language, and you have no comprehension or depth or independence of thought. You have obviously appointed someone else to do your thinking for you. You may even have gotten your entire education in California’s public school system, assuming you completed it. The warped little minds produced by California’s education system function much like yours does. In which case, nothing you have to say is worth hearing. On the positive side, you have certainly earned your liberal stripes as a loyal ovine.