Republican Revolt-Breakaway-Minnesota Style-Bob Davis Podcast 785

Four Minnesota State Representatives have revolted.

Learn more in Republican Revolt-Breakaway-Minnesota Style-Bob Davis Podcast 785.

The New House Republican Caucus

Steve Drazkowski of Mazepa, Cal Bahr of East Bethel, Tim Miller of Prinsburg and Jeremy Munson of Lake Crystal will soon be meeting as The New House Republican Caucus.

Straight Talk

First of all, the Minnesota Legislature is as confusing as it is frustrating. Getting a straight answer from politicians is never easy. Straight talk from a Minnesota Legislator is truly a rare thing.

The Swamp Of Republican Political Philosophy

Especially relevant is the swamp you’ll wade through when you talk to Minnesota Republicans. They are foggy on the ideas behind terms like freedom, smaller government and conservatism. According to one of the new caucus members, republican leadership isn’t for freedom and smaller government at all. So much for principles.

Bullying By Republican Leadership

Most noteworthy is the ongoing bullying of members by leadership alleged by representative Steve Drazkowski. ‘Draz’ joins me on this podcast.

Republican Debacle In 2018 Leads To 2020 Concern

Moreover republican house members are touchy when it comes to the reasons behind the stinging defeat in the 2018 election. The new caucus blames former Speaker and current House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt.

It’s a Farm Thing

Since The New Republican House Caucus hails from rural districts, news reports suggest this is a rural thing. It almost goes without saying that farm country is more ‘republican’ than the cities. Drazkowski says it’s the cities that aren’t ‘conservative’ enough.

Republican Leaders Aren’t Conservative

Finally what about republican’s loss of the Minnesota house and all statewide races? Is it because the suburbs around Minneapolis and Saint Paul did not support Trump? Furthermore Daudt and other leaders supported non endorsed candidates? Did they weaken the grassroots?

Saint Paul Shenanigans Lead To Tame Revolt.

Shenanigans in Saint Paul are legendary. We’ve all heard the rumors about pecking order orientations. We know staffers appointed by leadership tattle on members. Leaders bullying members on votes. Above all rumors of bullying more ‘conservative’ members are normal.

In conclusion Representative Drazkowski says in this podcast that the special interests are only in it for themselves. Due to this reality money and power have a chokehold on politics in this state. Consequently, it ought to be chilling to republicans.

Sponsored by The Citizens Council For Health Freedom and The Water Butler Water Purification Systems

Republican Revolt-Breakaway-Minnesota Style-Bob Davis Podcast 785

Podcast 611-Define Political Progress

When it comes to politics these days noise is the norm. The latest outrage drowns out talk about political progress. Voters in 2016 made their choices for a reason. Not too early to ask whether the politicians are making progress toward addressing those reasons. We talk about it in Podcast 611-Define Political Progress.

ObamaCare Repeal

Number one issue on the campaign trail. Bogged down in congress already. Republicans wanted a full repeal of the ACA. New GOP plan isn’t a full repeal. President Trump has already endorsed it. What happened to promises of a full repeal?

Economy

Somewhere around 96 million people are out of the workforce. Need to create 375,000 new jobs a month for several months to get those people back in the work force. For years we were less than impressed with a quarter of a million jobs each month. Economic growth has been promised. In Podcast 611-Define Political Progress.

Cutting Federal Budget

Smaller government? Proposed budget cuts are accompanied with proposals to shift money to defense. Does this reduce the size of government? A hiring freeze can be considered progress. Corporate tax reductions can be progress. However making up corporate tax reductions with higher taxes somewhere else doesn’t cut the budget.

Foreign Policy and Military Spending

Resurgent Russia. Rising China. Political changes in Turkey. Expanding NATO. Cyber Threats. US troops in Iraq and Syria. ISIS. Terror. Climate Change. How will reducing foreign aid and increasing military spending address these concerns? What should the foreign policy of the US be? It’s all in Podcast 611-Define Political Progress.

Too Early?

First benchmark on progress made by a majority republican government in the United States. Did you vote for republicans? Are they doing what you wanted them to do?

Sponsored by X Government Cars and Ryan Plumbing of Saint Paul.