Betty McCollum to hold townhall meeting about Health Care, Wednesday, July 1

Rep. Betty McCollum of the 4th Congressional District will be holding a Town Hall Meeting regarding Health Care on Wednesday!

This event is at the Highland Park Picnic Pavilion, 1270 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul from 6 - 7:30 pm.

Assuming that this event was organized to sell the "Plan" before the CBO analysis of the Kennedy Bill became public. For the official announcement, go to her website found here: http://www.mccollum.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=616&Itemid=92

Let's all give our Betty a warm and roasty toasty welcome on July 1st!

See you on Wednesday!

FitzSimmons, Stebbins, Imbertson: Why we're staying with the Minnesota GOP

In response to Joe Repya's opinion piece of June 23, the Pioneer Press ran our rebuttal today:

FitzSimmons, Stebbins, Imbertson: Why we're staying with the Minnesota GOP
By David FitzSimmons, Marianne Stebbins and Mitch Imbertson
Updated: 06/25/2009 06:46:39 PM CDT

In his Opinion piece "Why I am leaving the Minnesota GOP," Lt. Col. Joe Reypa paints a pretty damning picture of the Republican Party of Minnesota. As Republican grass-roots activists, we have witnessed and experienced what Joe described as "tyrannical domination over the grass-roots" of the party.

We agree with Joe when he says "it is time to stop enabling bad behavior from that party." Joe is a friend who has been a principled champion of freedom and liberty for many years; he remains a friend. We disagree, however, with his conclusion that "the Minnesota GOP is no longer capable of being saved."

This is why we are not leaving the Minnesota GOP. Not only can the Minnesota GOP be saved, it must be saved.

While the Republican Party has drifted away from the fundamental principles inherent in the U.S. Constitution - the primacy of individual sovereignty, the sanctity of private property and preservation of the rule of law - the Minnesota DFL has coalesced around the national Democratic Party values: the collective good over individual pursuit of happiness, the property needs of the state over the property rights of the individual, and government power restrained only by the grace of the majority, irrespective of the rule of law. History warns us that a nation so divided cannot long endure.

And this is why we choose to remain in the Minnesota GOP: Despite past leadership flaws, the Minnesota GOP remains the last best hope for resurrecting republican, constitutional government. It is the last best hope for individuals who want to make their own decisions about health care, their children's education, where they live, what they eat and how they worship. The Minnesota GOP is the last best hope for preservation of the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is the last best hope for a productive society capable of creating the wealth that makes compassion possible.

The groups we represent - the Republican Liberty Caucus, the Campaign for Liberty, and Minnesotans for Limited Government, and many other like-minded liberty-oriented organizations - are evidence that hope is not dead.

To Joe's point, many of our groups have sprung up and grown strong because the Minnesota GOP abdicated its role as protector of republican principle - endorsing capital "R" Republicans regardless of their allegiance to small "r" republican principle. But for whatever reason our groups came into being, they exist, and they are making a difference.

When the campaign for GOP officers began, the emphasis was on "Platform Conservatism," the notion that the "best conservative," the "best Republican," was the one who could put the most check marks next to the 171 planks of a 5,100-word party platform. Over the course of the campaign, the debate changed.

Republicans started talking about "Principled Conservatism" as an alternative to the litmus test of platform politics. The grass-roots felt empowered; a candidate for chair was drafted by the party's grass-roots. With no "old guard" support whatsoever, he nearly pulled off the upset.

A Web site and Facebook group, "Grassroots for an Open Republican Party," described a Republican Party that doesn't just win elections, but one that earns respect as a party of integrity and principle. Both the newly elected chair and deputy chair of the Minnesota GOP signed on as supporters.

Campaign for Liberty supporters of Ron Paul (who as Joe notes were systematically shut out of the 2008 GOP State Convention) remain engaged in the Republican Party, actively supporting liberty-oriented candidates and conservative/libertarian principles.

The Republican Liberty Caucus, "the conscience of the Republican Party," exists to promote individual liberty, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party.

Minnesotans for Limited Government is educating the party and public on the principles of limited government and supporting liberty-minded candidates.

There is an old adage that describes change as frightening when done to us, but exhilarating when done by us. This is an exhilarating time to be a Republican.

The frightening change taking place in the country, the abandonment of republican government and fundamental constitutional principles, is a wake-up call. Now is our "Time to Choose." It is our time to stop an ever-intrusive government from doing change to us. It is our time to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution of the United States. It is our time to put American principles to the test. It is our time to reform, re-energize and resurrect the last best hope of American constitutional government - the Republican Party.

That is why we are emphatically not leaving the Minnesota GOP.

David FitzSimmons of Cokato is chairman of the Minnesota Republican Liberty Caucus: rlcmn.org/; Marianne Stebbins of Excelsior is coordinator of the Minnesota Campaign for Liberty: www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MN; and Mitch Imbertson of Maplewood is Communications Committee Chair of Minnesotans for Limited Government: www.mnlg.org.

[Corey Sax has his own response up at his blog. If you have a response or submit a LTE to the PiPress, include a link or copy/paste in the comments section here.]

Health Care Reform -- MNLG Position Paper

The Fallacy of Government Sponsored Single-Payer Health Care
A consumer-driven model proves best for both patients and providers.
by Jeff Hagen

Almost everyone agrees that America's health care system is terminally ill. It is the most expensive in the world, with the US spending more on health care per person than any other industrialized nation. Recent estimates put health care spending at around 16% of U.S. GDP. In 2007, the U.S. spent $2.26 trillion on health care, or $7,439 per person. 46 million people are without medical insurance. The health care share of GDP is expected to continue upward, reaching 19.5 percent of GDP by 2017.

What most do not agree upon is how to solve the problem associated with rising health care costs. One argument is that single-payer universal health care is the answer. By paying out of one fund the advantages is administrative simplicity. Others think that the mandatory private purchase of health insurance by all is the answer, as is done in Massachusetts. A third option is that we need to adopt the system offered in Canada., where some see the free market and consumer-driven care as the solution. While all proposals are well meaning, the law of unintended consequences spoils the capability of centrally controlled health care schemes. We will take aim at the history of rising health care costs, the Canadian model, the laws of unintended consequences and examine our options going forward.

History of Health Insurance

The first U.S. President to propose a prepaid health insurance plan was Harry S. Truman. On November 19, 1945, in a special message to Congress, President Truman outlined a comprehensive, prepaid medical insurance plan through the Social Security system.

Before the advent of health insurance, patients were expected to pay all health care costs out of their own pockets, under what is known as the “fee for service” business model. The fee for service business model was relatively inexpensive and reliable, with doctors even making house calls. But it was not without its problems. Medical conditions such as infection, pneumonia, influenza, and tuberculosis were the leading cause of death and advances in medical products and services were limited. Serious innovation was still years ahead. My father recently told me that his birth in 1943 cost a grand total of $35; that’s $438 in inflation adjusted terms. And births at that time mandated the mother and child to spend several nights in the hospital, as compared to today’s same-day delivery.

Nonetheless, for decades the U.S. healthcare system was the envy of the entire world. Not coincidentally, there was far less government involvement in medicine during this time. America had the finest doctors and hospitals, patients enjoyed high-quality, affordable medical care, and thousands of private charities provided health services for the poor. Doctors focused on treating patients, without the red tape and threat of lawsuits that plague the profession today. As time when on, most Americans paid cash for basic services, and had insurance only for major illnesses and accidents. This meant both doctors and patients had an incentive to keep costs down, as the patient was directly responsible for payment, rather than an HMO or government program.

The Advent of Medicare and Medicaid

The 1960s however saw a plethora of concrete moves by the federal government to consolidate and modernize the U.S. healthcare system. With Lyndon Johnson's Great Society initiative, the U.S. established public health insurance for both senior citizens and the underprivileged. Known as Medicare and Medicaid, these two healthcare programs granted certain groups of Americans access to adequate healthcare services.

Download the full position paper here.

Free-market Ecology

by Colin Wilkinson

On Sat. June 20, MNLG had a picnic and with some speeches and exhibits on Free Market Ecology. A lot of topics were covered but the term Free market Ecology wasn’t completely defined. I didn’t speak but maybe I should have. Here is what I would have said:

There is a new Political Re-alignment happening. The voters of the country are dividing along this divide: Authoritarian Socialist Environmentalist vs. Constitutionalists Capitalist Ecologist. I will concentrate on Environmentalist/Ecologist part of the formula.

Environmentalism is the big picture, the whole world and we all want to love and “preserve” it. The people like John Muir spoke in terms of philosophy and idealism. Today it seems best described as theology and dogma.

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships of plants, animals and the natural systems of the world.

When I was in school I was taught that we use Ecology to understand the Environment.

To an Ecologist human beings are a part of the system and they and their effects should be rationally studied along with everything else. To a modern Environmentalist especially one who says he is a “deep green”, Humans are a problem. They aren’t really part of the environment and actually are a positive harm to the environment. We have all heard the old “humanity is a cancer on the planet” line for years.

Free market ecology posits that free people freely exchanging their goods, ideas and real estate are a benefit to the environment and that nature will thrive in this regime.

While some environmentalists do value the market, most feel that the Environment is best protected by Government. And that Governmental ownership management and control of as much of the environment as possible is a positive common good.

I got into the fight years ago. Terms like the 5^th amendment, eminent domain, property right, senior property right, takings and the Endangered Species Act were sprinkled through my conversations. Out west my friends were the “Sagebrush Rebellion” up North they were the “Jackpine Savages”, down south they were the Rednecks and Hillbillies. All these folks wanted was their American right to live on their land and thrive where they lived. The EPA, the Dept. of Interior, The US Congress and Judiciary and others had a different plan.

I was a member of a group called the River Warren Research Committee (RWRC), a group dedicated to Free Market Ecology. What follows are some excerpts from our literature. While written in 1993, it is still true.

The RWRC is optimistic about the future… but this optimism is colored by the realization that there are two fundamental truths people must learn and accept, or the future will indeed be bleak for us all.

1. Individual Liberty for all is good for us all.
2. Private Property is the Bedrock of Individual Liberty.

The number one threat to Private Property Rights in America today is ENVIRONMENTALISM!!

Environmentalism today is Government regulation of as much human activity as possible. Instead of fixing anything, environmentalism just keeps finding new things to complain about, and is always looking for someone to sue. Instead of acknowledging when something is fine, environmentalism seeks to find something wrong with it.

The one thing environmentalism has successfully accomplished is to sell The Big Lie, and create government sponsored, supported and enforced market for environmental hucksters.

The truth is, 90 percent of environmentalist rhetoric is gross exaggeration of actual, physical conditions; along with wildly speculative explanations and solutions for the so-called problems. Explanations and solutions mind you, that frequently ignore the Laws of Physics.

In most cases, the true state of affairs warrants no alarm. Yet this irrational environmentalist attitude is used to justify ever more regulation, thus taking away more Private Property Rights and Individual Liberties.

We must all question Environmentalism!

Further research has shown that, despite the good intentions of grass-roots activists, environmentalism is dominated by socialists. Local supporters are primarily unwitting dupes convinced by smooth-talking fear-peddling swindlers that we “must save” this “planet in peril” or all will DIE!

The ultimate goal of Environmentalism is government control over any activity that may “impact” the environment. Ultimately, this means everything.

As long as the general public believes the Environment is threatened, and only extensive government regulation can protect it, your Liberty and Prosperity are in jeopardy.

The Communist Manifesto has 10 points; The River Warren Research Committee has 15:

1. RWRC cares deeply about the future of America and the world.
2. RWRC knows that free people, not government made America great.
3. RWRC thinks all but the most basic government acts do more harm than good.
4. RWRC assumes the best person to decide how your money is spent is you.
5. RWRC is determined to have truth in government.
6. RWRC believes truth is best reached through local decision-making.
7. RWRC endorses major cuts in government spending and regulating.
8. RWRC is reality-based not legality-based.
9. RWRC recognizes that nature is not fragile. It is chaotically evolutionary and infinitely adaptable.
10. RWRC knows the general public has been insidiously misled by the flawed, fear-mongering “environmentalist” agenda.
11. RWRC doesn’t endorse trashing the planet, but is confident Earth is not threatened by some dire calamity brought on by human industry.
12. RWRC contends only big government can amass the resources necessary to create any serious threat. Keep government small and we will be fine.
13. RWRC finds most local and regional “environmental” issues are usually as overblown as global issues, and that real problems are often caused or aggravated by government involvement.
14. RWRC recognizes The Natural Way is one of free, self governing agents actively engaged in the selfish pursuit of their own private interests, bound only by the universal constraints governing matter and energy.
15. RWRC believes people are basically good, kind individuals who, through free association, can take care of themselves and their little chunk of the world without Big Nanny watching over them.
    

The RWRC is a general interest group amid a plethora of Special Interest Groups. RWRC want few laws strictly enforced not a multitude of laws arbitrarily enforced.

I hope this is helpful. There is a facebook group called Free Market Ecologists. Go check it out.

Meeting Minutes 6-3-09

Meeting was called to order by Rick Karschnia at 7:18pm.

Introduction of new members and guests.

Officer Reports
Chair Report - Elections tonight will be run by Bill Jungbauer to ensure a fair and open process. Candidates must be in good standing to run for office and to participate in the voting process.

Vice Chair Report - MN GOP's State Central Committee Meeting is on June 13th at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, convening at 8:30am. If you want to carpool from the east side of St. Paul contact Mike Mueller.

Treasurer's Report was approved as read.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved to remove certain line items from the budget because they've been on the books for over a year with no use of the funds.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to reimburse David Vranish $44 for the renewal of the PO Box.

Secretary's Report was approved as read.

Events Committee Report-Diana Shockley
Our annual picnic will be on June 20th, starting at noon. The committee is looking for grill team volunteers. We have 5 speakers currently lined up and it is at the Shoreview Community Center Pavilion. Brats, burgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers will be available for sale. The speakers will be conversing on the topic of free market ecology.

A motion was made, seconded to give the events committee $550 to purchase all items needed for the picnic. Discussion was had. An amendment to motion consisted of adding the words "a budget" after the word give to the motion. The amendment was made, seconded and approved. The motion, as amended, was approved.

Bylaws Committee Report-John Kossett
Committee will be meeting shortly after the meeting tonight.

Fundraising Committee Report-Bill Jungbauer
The committee is still waiting for Rick to sign the 70 fundraising letters that they are looking to send out.

Communications Committee-Lorri Zuleger
About 300 new "friends of MNLG" email addresses were added to the friends database. These email addresses were garnered from the Tax Cut Rally.

Elections Committee-Blaise Villaume
Currently the committee is gathering information about the different districts.

Rick Karschnia took a moment to recognize the hard work of all the outgoing officers and committee chairs and thank them for their service.

Motion was made and seconded to officially endorse Richard Easton for St. Paul School Board. During the discussion of this motion, a motion was made, seconded, and approved to table the motion to officially endorse Richard Easton.

The Grand Old Days Parade is Sunday, June 7th, lining up at 8am. Come walk with the St. Paul City Committee if you would like.

Elections of New Officers and Commitee Chairs
Motion was made, seconded, and approved to cast a while ballot for all uncontested elections.
Motion was made, seconded, and approved to have Lorri Zuleger be our time keeper for speeches.
Motion was made, seconded to have candidates speeches limited to 2 minutes. Amendedment to the motion was made to suggests that speeches be limited to 1 minute instead of 2. Amendment was seconded and approved. Motion, as amended, was approved.

Chair: Rick Karschnia
Vice Chairs: Jacob Hielscher and Joe Thomas
Treasurer: David Vranish
Co-Treasurer: Dave Lindberg
Secretary: Diana Shockley
Elections Committee Chair: Blaise Villaume

Motion was made, seconded, and approved to table to election of the Fundraising Committee Chair until next month.

Motion was made, seconced, and approved to take up the election of Fundraising Commitee Chair.

Fundraising Committee Chair: Jill Wilkinson
Events Committee Chair: Anisha Dunne
Communications Committee Chair: Mitch Imbertson
Bylaws Committee Chair: John Kossett
Platform Committee Chair: Jason Hoffman

Norann Dillon from MN Republican Liberty Caucus stoped by to let us know that they are having elections on Saturday June 13th after the MN GOP State Central Committee Meeting. You can visit www.rlcmn.org for more information.

The MNLG endorsement process was suggested to be put on the agenda for next months' meeting.

Motion to ajorn the meeting was made, seconded, and approved at 8:37pm.

MNLG FREEDOM Picnic in the Park - Free Market Ecology

MNLG's 2nd Annual Picnic in the Park

Saturday, June 20, 2009
12-4pm

Shoreview Community Center Pavillion

4600 Victoria Street North

Shoreview, MN

Phone:	6517055011
Email:	rick@mnlg.org

Fun, filling and educational!

* Come listen to speakers and learn about free-market ecology
* Burger, brat, hot dog and veggie burger meals will be for sale

Peter Schiff on The Daily Show

For those familiar with Ron Paul's 2008 Presidential campaign, Peter Schiff was an economic adviser to Dr Paul. Schiff is currently the president and owner of Euro Pacific Capital Inc., a brokerage firm based in Connecticut. Recently he has considered a run for US Senate, opposing longtime Senator Chris Dodd.

Schiff is known for subscribing to the Austrian School of Economics' ideals (as well as the writings of Ludwig von Mises) of sound money, limited government, and free market capitalism.

Schiff was interviewed by John Stewart on June 9th for The Daily Show. Below he offers a sound analysis of the roots of the current economic crisis, as well as, the actions of the Obama Administration.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Peter Schiff
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Newt Gingrich Unedited Interview