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Issues take stage for Democrats
Published Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Many Otter Tail County DFLers who caucused Tuesday evening at the Fergus Falls High School cafeteria said they’ve been energized through the candidacy of presidential candidate Barack Obama. That same energy spilled over to discussions about the key political issues in 2008.
“Obama has emphasized the need for change over and over, and he’s connected with not only Democrats but people of all political persuasions,” Elizabeth Township DFLer Harley Olson said. “It’s up to all of us to help change the atmosphere in Washington and work to get things done for the average American citizen.”
Other Elizabeth Township DFLers said that political action committees are too powerful in the nation’s capital. They want to see federal finance campaign reform, repeal of No Child Left Behind, redefine educational goals and develop a “pay as we go” fiscal policy.
A total of 387 people participated at Tuesday evening’s DFL caucus, representing the four wards in Fergus Falls as well as area townships.
“We consider this an outstanding turnout,” DFL caucus chairperson Maryjane Westra said. “People came here with a lot of enthusiasm.”
Mike Danielson of Oscar Township, northwest of Fergus Falls, said it’s critical that the state of Minnesota provide more funding for area school districts. On the national level, he sees the need for Congress to work harder by helping the country reach a greater degree of energy independence.
“I’m for what many like me refer to as a fair trade agreement instead of a so-called free trade agreement,” Danielson said. “There’s a big difference between the two.”
Hard at work discussing and approving various resolutions were DFLers representing the Fourth Ward, Second Precinct in Fergus Falls.
The group went on record encouraging the DFL Party to support the Minnesota Health Act which would establish universal, comprehensive and affordable health care. Also passed was a resolution supporting more state funding for the prevention of sexual violence.
The Fergus Falls Fourth Ward DFLers also support more funding for education at all levels, want farmers to receive credits to protect wetlands and grasslands while contributing to global climate control, urge light rail expansion to more areas in outstate Minnesota, and are on record stating that military promotions and evaluations be made by qualified officers without political influence or interference.
Fergus Falls Township DFLers also voiced increased state funding for education at all levels and pushed for affordable heath care for all Minnesotans.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by perryt (anonymous) on February 6, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE" its the same liberal babble we heard in the 2006 Mid-term elections. Yeah, the Dems are doing such terrific job with Congress. Just keep drinking that liberal change rhetoric all you Obama lovers. See where it gets you.
Posted by chirocorlin (anonymous) on February 6, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only change you will see is what's left of your paycheck after the government taxes you for every social program under the sun including universal healthcare
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on February 6, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That photo debacle was great.
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on February 6, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perryt, you say "liberal" like it's bad thing. Someone's been listening to too much Rush Limbaugh.
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on February 6, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually Chirro, Obama's plan calls for tax breaks for the working and middle class people in the U.S., which I believe constitutes about 99% of Fergus Falls. The only people paying more taxes are those who are not paying a fair percentage right now - the upper class - of which there are not many in Fergus.
And Perryt, I would consider responding to you, but since you are just babbling and have no logical opinion whatsoever, I'll just leave it at this.
The fact is that Obama is uniting millions of people around the country, and it is not just because of rhetoric. Most of us do want change, and many of us see how Obama can enact that change. I heard Obama speak in person four years ago, and I knew then that if he ever ran for President, I would support him all the way.
Posted by marshm (anonymous) on February 6, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
America needs 8 years of Hilary to clean up the mess... and Obama will be her VP, and then 8 Years of Obama.
Posted by Commycrat (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clinton promissed the same thing with his tax increases and guess what, everyone paid more. As soon as we the people refuse to be devided by issues of race and gender and get beyond our petty differences, then and only then will we see change in washington. So if there are some of us that believe sending the same people back to washington, to fix the same old problems, will give us the same net results, its not because we listen to Rush Limbaugh, its the fact that we can think for ourselves, unlike the regurgitated talking points I've read here.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Before we go any further, I think someone needs to fact check Commycrat.
The Clinton tax plan only increased taxes for individuals making more than $140,000 a year. Everyone else experienced a tax decrease - at the time that was an overwhelming majority of the population.
He had to raise the taxes to cover all the borrowing Reagan did in the 80's. Should I mention the fact that after 8 years of Clinton, we had a balanced budget - and in fact we had a budget surplus that was supposed to be spent on shoring up Social Security and Medicaid.
Of course, that's all been undone by another borrow and spend, trickle down/supply side economics Republican.
Posted by Commycrat (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leftist spin will have no effect here. I agree lets check the facts and not wishful good intentions. Fact is people that earned between 100k & 200k did have an increase in there tax burden of 8.6%. People that earned between 200K & 500K had a whopping increase of .2% in there tax burden. People that earned between 500K & 1 Million receaved a tax break (a decrease) of 4.7%, and those richest amoung us that earned over 1 million a year, they accually had a tax decrease of 11.4%. Gives new meaning to the words taxs cuts for the wealthy doesn't it! The spin does not end there though. Regans spending went on updating our armed forces, Clintons balancing act was at the expense of the armed forces. Tax the midle class and spend Democrats are not fooling anyone any more. Lets have a debate on real facts and real effects and leave the regurgitated B.S. to the operatives.
Posted by AndyMosity (anonymous) on February 7, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps we should agree to examine a specific tax plan - that way we can argue apples...
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