The Obama administration reported that 120,000 new jobs were created.
Last month unemployment was 9.1percent — so unemployment fell to 8.6 percent.
There are 153 million “available” workers in America. If unemployment fell .5 percent then we would have had to create 765,000 jobs to fall to 8.6 percent.
So why this discrepancy? Well some 500,000 workers “quit” looking for work, and thus this administration doesn’t “count” them as unemployed. Their numbers are added to the “new” jobs holders as Obama “computes” unemployment.
Sure wish I could work that magic on my checkbook.
Art Becker
Pillager
A very informative letter in last week’s Record told us how thoroughly Mike LeMieur is controlled and protected by the Republican Party.
The signer plainly tells us that LeMieur’s invitation-only meetings are just part of a statewide plan set up by Republican Majority Leader Matt Dean.
It sounds great to say you’re taking input on which government reforms should be considered, but not after you learn that only invited guests have input.
In the good old (pre-LeMieur) days, public forums and open meetings actually happened around here. Constituents on all sides of issues got to present their views to our elected representatives.
What could LeMieur learn at meetings with an invitation-only audience? Why is LeMieur at the meetings at all, when Matt Dean is giving us the quotes afterward and telling us what direction the state needs to go? Instead of paying LeMieur and Dean mileage and per diem for extra “meetings”, we could just pay Dean.
I challenge the letter-signer to tell us about just one truly open meeting conducted by LeMieur. He’s protected on the house floor, in the press, and at meetings by Republican leadership.
Everything to protect the 1 percent, nothing for the rest of us ... again.
Liz Wheeler
Randall
Comments (17)
Add commentThe Secret Meeting
I thought I'd jump in here to let Liz know that I was at one of those secret meetings this afternoon. Representative Lemieur was there as well as Representative Dean and Senator Gazelka. I heard about the meeting Monday night (at another non-secret meeting) where Senator Gazelka said anyone with the time and interest in reforming state government was more than welcome. And if I had known Liz wanted to go, I would have called her. That is, if I knew who Liz was or even if she was interested in that sort of thing. My suspicion is that Liz is not interested in anything beyond bash Republicans but I have no proof of that so perhaps I shouldn't say such a hurtful thing. But, back to the meetings. I was told at the meeting that this was Representative Dean's 21 such meeting around the state and local Representatives and Senators were to send letters to city, county and township officials to encourage them to attend. But notice of these meetings was on radio, television and in newspapers and as even Liz knows, if the meeting got that kind of coverage, everybody is more than welcome.
so, mr pundt
How many were there? Was there a reporter there from any paper? Or radio station? And did the group come up with a plan to reform state government? Sounds kind of interesting. I looked at Gazelka's web site and saw no notice of any such meeting today.
liberal media didn't wanna give them
any coverage. and you live too far away to have attended so why whine?
Is this the pay-to-play
Is this the pay-to-play meeting where constituents had to pay to talk to the legislators?
That's one way to make sure only the 'right people' will attend so that the legislator only hears what he wants to hear.
story on page one
Three citizens attended!!!!! Plus three reporters from the media. And a photographer!
Don't the three legislators email their constituents to let them know when they are available for such sessions? Mine sure do. And Chip does, too.
Nothing came from Gazelka on this!
A good example of how this works. I AM on Gazelka's mailing list and do read what he sends, but he did not pass on word of this meeting at all. I knew nothing about it. Last thing he sent was a thanksgiving message with no info in it. Before that was a message trying (unsuccessfully for those that know better) to completely absolve republicans from blame from their pushing--and succeeding--in the death of the homestead tax credit. As typical, he deflected blame to local government officials if your taxes went up as a result of republican action.
Woulda been there
I missed the word about the legislative meeting... and would have attended.... I have emailed Senator Gazelka often, so would it be safe to assume he'd put me on a list when something like this comes up? I don't know -- I honestly don't.
Was it in the Dispatch? If it was, I missed it. Did I get an email? No.
Hey, Lakelander
I'll respond to your questions. At one point, there were five people in the audience, a Lakeland TV reporter, Mike from the Dispatch, and me. I'm the news guy for an internet radio station, www.brokenroadradio.com. And the plan is extensive and growing but a work in progress. Google Reform 2.0 and look around. No wonder Fish was confused; he's used to paying the legislators in his party. Let the games begin.
ProudRINO
Almost forgot. Got my tax statements and mine didn't go up. Probably a fluke.
Mr. Pundt
I heard about it, would love to have gone but for previous plans. So to the liberals, try a new one.
David be sure to speak the truth...
I know you have aspired to a position known for dishonesty. If you expect to achieve success someday I would suggest focusing on one word--TRUTH.
My taxes were down a tad too--but only because the local referendum results were not added to the notice yet.
The referendum was of course largely necessary due to the continued focus of republicans on cutting education costs from past promises the legislature has made--and from delaying promised payments by a number of months--requiring school districts to borrow money to make payroll. Thanks to the deadbeat legislature. Controlled at the moment by who?
If either party wants to earn respect, they would do well to know voters are sick and tired of partisan politics when that is what has gotten us into this mess.
And tea party republicans
disappear due to lack of interest.
ProudRINOs truth
Republicans cutting education is a go-to response by a lot of people. Mainly people who are averse to the truth.
Numbers provided by the Minnesota Department of Education show statewide primary school enrollment decreasing by 2% over the past decade while state education funding has increased by 47%.
Can you point me to where I can find source information on cuts to education enacted by republicans?
I know there have been shifts in payments, and those do hurt, but I'm more interested in reading about the cuts you are talking about. Can you point me to some Minnesota budget documents showing decreased spending on education?
Thank you.
My taxes went up nearly 10%
My taxes went up nearly 10% again. This is the first year in a long time the increase has been less than 10%. One year it was 36.5%. They've gone up every year since the GOP foisted that fraud Pawlenty on us with his dishonest "No New Taxes" pledge.
I am fairly certain your increase was from your local assessor
I am fairly certain your increase was from your local assessor, not the governor.
Maybe you should have went and argued your case in your increases.
I thought you liked taxes,
I thought you liked taxes, Fish?
Good to hear you're starting to pay your "fair share"
"I am fairly certain your
"I am fairly certain your increase was from your local assessor, not the governor."
Or he couldn't claim the property as agricultural when he closed down his fish farm.