GOP Chair Sutton: Make Shutdown Pain Permanent
You’ve got to check out this truly jaw-dropping statement from Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Tony Sutton in a new Star Tribune commentary. Republicans don’t just want to bring the pain during a possible shutdown. They want to make the pain permanent:
A government shutdown will be painful only because we have grown unnecessarily dependent on government.
Republicans cannot credibly claim to be concerned about the pain of a temporary shutdown of state services when their own chairman believes those services should be cut or eliminated entirely.
GOP Chair Sutton: Make Shutdown Pain Permanent
You’ve got to check out this truly jaw-dropping statement from Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Tony Sutton in a new Star Tribune commentary:
A government shutdown will be painful only because we have grown unnecessarily dependent on government.
This completely undermines Republican messaging on the pain of a shutdown. Republicans cannot credibly claim to be concerned about the pain of a temporary shutdown of state services when their own chairman believes those services should be cut or eliminated entirely.
Republicans don’t just want to bring the pain during a shutdown. They want to make the pain permanent.
GOP Chair Sutton: Let’s Make Shutdown Pain Permanent
You’ve got to check out this truly jaw-dropping statement from Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Tony Sutton in a new Star Tribune commentary:
A government shutdown will be painful only because we have grown unnecessarily dependent on government.
This completely undermines Republican messaging on the pain of a shutdown. Republicans cannot credibly claim to be concerned about the pain of a temporary shutdown of state services when their own chairman believes those services should be cut or eliminated entirely.
Republicans don’t just want to bring the pain during a shutdown. They want to make the pain permanent.
Minnesota Republicans get Sacked in this Star Tribune editorial cartoon.
Fact of the Day: Republicans Want A Shutdown
Earlier today, Jeff posted about Republicans’ session-long preparation for a government shutdown. There’s just one fact I’d like to add to his post.
On May 18, several days before the end of the session, Republicans registered their new attack site DaytonShutdown.com. Just as they were preparing to blame Governor Dayton for a possible shutdown, the Star Tribune made it clear who’s really to blame:
Other rookie Republicans say they believe their unwavering stand will resonate with constituents, regardless of whether there is a special session or government shutdown. (Star Tribune, 5/18/11)
It’s a ridiculous, cynical game — on the same day we learn that many Republican legislators believe a shutdown will help them politically, Republicans set up a website to falsely blame Governor Dayton for any potential shutdown.
If Republicans would spend more time legislating and less time playing these tired political games, we might have a budget deal. Instead, we’re on the path to a shutdown — just as Republicans hoped.
Republicans Can Run, But They Can’t Hide From Long History of Promoting Bradlee Dean’s Hatred and Bigotry
Today, anti-gay extremist Bradlee Dean, on the invitation of a House Republican, gave the opening prayer for today’s session of the Minnesota House:
As protesters chanted against an anti-gay marriage amendment outside the House chamber Friday morning, controversial pastor Bradlee Dean took to the House rostrum to give the prayer for the day.
According to those present, Dean, who has suggested he approves of the death penalty for gay people on a radio show, was accusatory toward Democrats and insulting to people who do not believe in Jesus.
The House session broke down as leaders huddled with their staff members to discuss what to do. Republicans huddled in a caucus meeting for more than an hour.
Bradlee Dean is a disgusting, hate-filled bigot. It’s right for Speaker Kurt Zellers to apologize for and condemn Dean’s remarks. But that apology cannot hide the long association between the Republican Party of Minnesota and Bradlee Dean. For the uninitiated, here’s a history of Minnesota Republicans supporting and promoting Dean.
JUST WEEKS AGO, Republican Senator Paul Gazelka appeared on Bradlee Dean’s radio show
- Paul Gazelka stood by while Bradlee Dean accused GLBT Americans of “doing the hating” on the marriage amendment issue, saying, “It’s them that are doing the hating. They did it to Jesus Christ.”
- MORE DEAN: “[Homosexuality] has been illegal since the foundation of our country. It has been illegal. It’s the conceived sin of homosexuality. The end of sin is death and that’s exactly what [homosexuality] does.”
IN 2010, Bradlee Dean’s anti-gay ministry had a booth at the Republican Party of Minnesota’s convention.
- Bradlee Dean states that Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Tony Sutton invited his ministry to attend the convention
- Candidate Tom Emmer was forced to distance himself from Bradlee Dean during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign
- Candidate Tom Emmer calls Bradlee Dean’s ministry a group of “nice people”
IN 2009, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer attended a fundraiser for Bradlee Dean’s anti-gay ministry
IN 2006, Michele Bachmann led a prayer for Bradlee Dean’s anti-gay ministry
- Bachmann: “Lord, I thank you for what you have done with this ministry”
Is there more? YES. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Next time Republicans tell you they just didn’t know that Bradlee Dean is a hateful extremist, ask them where they’ve been for the past five years.
