Do a little digging, find a little gold

By "gold" I don't mean "dirt" and I don't mean the gems that are hidden revelations not carried in the mass media — the Holy Grail of investigative reporting. But by looking in out-of-the-mainstream sources one sometime finds inciteful commentary worthy of being exposed to a larger audience.

The following was posted July 1 on the Mankato Free Press community forum by "MinnesotaCental":

Do you want me to limit myself to four subjects related to Gil Gutknecht’s performance by expanding on the NINE reasons originally stated as to why Congress does not deserve a raise ?

In no particular order :

#1. Failure to advance H.R.328 [ Title: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs, and for other purposes.] which he introduced on January 25, 2005 and has not been acted on by the Republican leadership. Previously this was Gutknecht’s major campaign objective.. Brand-name drug prices jumped 3.9 percent during the first three months of the year, raising costs for taxpayers subsidizing the Medicare drug program.

#2. Failure to advance H.R.4357 [Title: To amend the Clean Air Act to require all gasoline sold for use in motor vehicles to contain 10 percent renewable fuel in the year 2010 and thereafter, and for other purposes] which is his “10/10”plan. Last action was December 2,2005 when it was referred to committee. This is his solution to ending America’s dependence on foreign oil. Meanwhile he has voted to allow gas companies to avoid paying realistic royalty payments (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll167.xml) and does not address higher standards of automobile fuel efficiency (H.R.3762).

#3. Failure to address earmarks as a source of excessive spending. US News and World Report’s May 29th issue suggests that the DM&E project may be the ultimate example of Congressional waste. Remember Gutknecht voted for this and has done little if anything to assuage his Rochester constituents who are concerned about traffic and safety … I’m concerned about the spending.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060529/29earmarks.htm

The White House has tried to end the railroad loan program as an unnecessary giveaway to private companies. The railroad earmark dwarfs most pork projects. Earmarks are so intertwined with the corruption scandals on Capitol Hill that Rep. Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican, calls them the "currency of corruption." According to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal public opinion poll, 39 percent of U.S. adults said prohibiting earmarks should be the No.1 priority of Congress this session.

#4. The deficit. The deficit. The deficit.

In summary, the District has a representative who has been ineffective. He does not sit on any significant committees and has been unable to advance the legislation that he promotes to his constituents.

If you have been reading my Forum Topic comments, you will notice that I have consistently stated that the Republican Party should offer someone who could be more effective. I have not endorsed Tim Walz … and if you read my comment above, I stated that I know of no reason to think that Gutknecht will not easily be re-elected. Congressman Gutknecht is on the job now and my criticism is about his performance. And after November, I will continue to offer my comments on our elected public officials whenever they fail to produce.

A well-written piece obviously by someone who does not have a political axe to burn.

LP