Rep. Rod Hamilton - Unfit To Serve
Posted by Andy on August 11th, 2008
Rep. Rod Hamilton, one of the 6 Republicans who we all can personally thank for the $6.6 Billion transit tax increase, is now screaming like a little schoolgirl who just spilled glue on her new shoes cause he tried to have his vote bought, but the check bounced.
Six months ago, Rod Hamilton was center stage in the biggest drama at the State Capitol. And so was Hwy. 60, a crucial roadway splitting southern Minnesota that many believe is in need of expansion and improvements.
Today, the theatrics continue, with Hamilton in effect complaining that he was duped, and Hwy. 60 is no nearer to getting the attention he thinks it needs.
In February, Hamilton was one of six Republican legislators whose votes were needed to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of a $6.6 billion transportation funding bill that ushered in Minnesota’s first state gas tax hike in 20 years.
At the time Hamilton made things clear: If DFLers would provide funding for Hwy. 60, they would get his vote.
When Hamilton, a pork producer whose district relies heavily on the highway, cast his vote to override, the legislation contained 22 lines that appeared to instruct the Minnesota Department of Transportation to give Hwy. 60 a higher priority for funding.
But MnDOT now contends the language was never clear and is withholding any commitment to the Hwy. 60 project.
What’s more, the key DFL legislator who sponsored the transportation bill said Hamilton misunderstood the language concerning Hwy. 60.
Rep. Bernie Lieder, DFL-Crookston, who chairs the House Transportation committee, said there was never an intention to give the highway special status in return for Hamilton’s vote.
Rep. Hamilton, if you don’t know yet that Democrats like Lieder will do and say anything for social engineering bills like the one you allowed to pass, frankly you are unfit to serve in the MInnesota House. No seriously, if this man is so willing to tax Minnesotans an extra $6.6 Billion just so he can get a road fixed on his behalf, he’s the perfect example of corruption and power driving far too many politicians now.
Since being a Legislator in Minnesota is viewed more as a career now then actually serving the public,weak minded Legislators like Hamilton will be far too quick to fall to the pier pressure in order to do what they think will get them reelected, rather than what is right.
There’s too much power and money in St. Paul and it may be time for term limits. I think that may be the only way to truly reform our Government. If we put regular people back in charge we just may get a Government that works for us. The way it is now, we work for the Government. That’s not the way it is supposed to work.
If Legislators actually had to live under the laws they passed, and live with the taxes they helped create, our Government would be completely different. Instead of Legislators trying to bribe the citizens to part with more of their money (actually tricking them into thinking it is really someone else’s money) for the public good, we’d have people that would say, “No! This hurts more citizens than it would actually help.”
“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”
P. J. O’Rourke
August 11th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Amen to everything you said, Mr. Aplikowski.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
It couldn’t happen to a nicer person….
LL
August 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
A great rant…….if you simply care to ignore reality and live in a talking-point fantasy world. I usually don’t respond to obviously partisan blogs, but I happened across this item and well, you caught me on a good day. I know the small cadre of like-minded readers of this blog will attack my thoughts because i dared to upset their cozy nest of right-wing hand-wringers who can’t get over past votes (like Mr. Hamilton’s) and past elections. Just my view of reality and common sense. But I ate a good breakfast today and feel like it will be worth the amusement to hear the response I get.
First - we do have term limits. They’re called elections. They happen every two years for house members like clockwork. The last time they were proposed on a national level was 1994 with the Gingrich Republican revolution in their “Contract on America.” Immediately after the Republicans took over Congress that year the “term limits” debate evaporated - didn’t even get a vote. In fact most of the people who signed the contract to only serve 3 terms promptly ignored it. Some still serve today - 4 terms beyond the limit. Perhaps you could do some research and call them on it. i won’t because it doesn’t bother me. The voters have spoken. Seems the fact Republicans had won in 1994 proved that when the people want change it is available to them - just like it is now with Mr. Hamilton in Minnesota.
Second - I’m always amused about the desire to put “regular” people back in charge Who’s in charge now? “Irregular” people? Folks, the government is us - you and me. The contention that those governing us now are somehow not “regular” is a great way for lazy critics to sit back and carp. If you don’t like what is happening, then get off the internet and quit writing self congratulatory blogs every day and run for office. You’ll find that there’s a huge difference between talking points and actually governing. That’s why Bush is at such low approval ratings, people want at least some level of competence in governing - talking points last only so long.
I also assume you know that legislators do have to live under the laws they pass - and they pay the same taxes as everyone else - they aren’t exempt. If you know of some who are living as outlaws, call them on it. Report them to the state and to the IRS. We all pay taxes to the gevernment - which is us. It’s the system. That great conservative W. Churchhill said our system is the worst form of governement, except for all the rest. The system even allows people to carp all day on a blog - and people like me to respond. It’s pretty good deal as far as I’m concerned.
Third - I bet Mr. Hamilton told voters that he’d fight to improve their community when he campaigned. I would imagine that improving highway 60 falls under that rubric. So hmmmmmm, imagine him doing what any regular person would do and actually try to do what his constituents want, and need. Call it a bribe if you like, but I think the chamber backed the transportation veto override because they saw a return on investment.
I know the $6.6 billion transportation bill is an article of faith among you true believers. But with that comes many benefits that Minnesotans (citizens, business people, chamber types who supported the veto override) are now finding are sorely needed for the future of the state. If you make “taxes or no taxes” the only litmus test, without thinking about what investments will truly expand our economy, then you’re stuck in a rut with arms folded tightly across your chest and you need to smile - look around - open yourself up to the possibilities that some investments come back many fold.
Pawlenty raised taxes with his “health impact fee” because he saw a need for revenue. He also announced he’ll never support another tax pledge, and said on a national stage very recently that Republican ideas have grown “stagnant.” Call him a flip-flopper, but I laud him for that.
Just dropped by to give my two or three cents worth. I’m not mad, just amused that some people sit around obsessing on some of these things and never actually get involved in their community, their state and their country. I assume my thoughts are a little red meat for you to throw some more tried and true talking points at. And I assume I’ll hear about how “involved” you’ve always been. Just wanted to inject a little bit of my view on these things since it seems there are a lot of “yes” people here. Have a great day all.