Pawlenty Orders Minnesota Not To Apply For Federal Health Care Reform Money

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/pawlenty-orders-minnesota-not-to-apply-for-federal-health-care-reform-money.php?ref=fpa

Pawlenty Orders Minnesota Not To Apply For Federal Health Care Reform Money
Eric Kleefeld | August 31, 2010, 4:12PM


Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) is taking a bold step among Republicans opposed to the new federal health care reform law. As his latest move, Pawlenty has issued an executive order forbidding his state's officials from applying for grant money from the new law.

Pawlenty's order allows only applications for money that are required by law -- which would seemingly mean that this is not a case of nullification, and falls short of such an extreme step -- or approved by the governor's office.

Pawlenty's order contains various points of explanation, taken right from Republican arguments against the new law, such as: "WHEREAS, the Act represents a dramatic attempt to assert federal command and control over this country's health care system, which accounts for one-sixth of our nation's economy, thereby reducing individual freedom for health care decisions."

And also: "WHEREAS, consistent with this determination and in recognition of my obligations to protect Minnesota's sovereign interests and those of its citizens, the boundary between state and federal government must be maintained to prevent an unwise and unsustainable federal takeover of health care in our State."

This move to swear off federal health care money could be worth a lot -- namely, a potential gain of five points in the Iowa caucuses in 2012.

[Zoeisright]

1. What a fucking maroon.

I hate that cross-eyed little weasel. He's a complete prick and he has RUINED this state, as exemplified by the 35W bridge collapse.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. This used to be a pretty nice state.

Good schools, good roads, safe bridges, healthy people, clean water and air -- now it's a cold Alabama.

Thanks, Timmy. I hate your guts.

[Bitwit1234]

4. Til they got republican voting machines in Minneapolis AND

Phewlenty took over. I do not believe, and will never believe he WON the elections, especially the last one. He has cooked his goose for any chance to run for president. Because he has practically a whole state against him. I hope when he finally chooses one of Cheney's undisclosed locations and disappears no one finds him for ten of twenty years. He sucks.

[KamaAina]

10. Pretty sad when people wax nostalgic for Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

:eyes:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. We don't have "Republican" voting machines in Minneapolis.

They are the same old optical scanners they've been using for years and years - since long before Pawlenty became governor. Anyhow, he didn't even win in most Minneapolis precincts - Minneapolis is very "blue" (as the election of Keith Ellison proves). Timmy won in '06 (with only 46% of the vote) because Mike Hatch was a lousy candidate, and the Independence Party took some votes away.

[Mister Ed]

3. Kicking and reccing because it's important for people to know what Pawlenty's been doing to MN.

Our very ambitious governor has brought our state from budget surpluses to a looming 6.5 billion dollar deficit in the course of his eight-year tenure. At every turn, he has pandered to his wealthy right-wing base at the expense of sound fiscal policy.

It's been all smoke and mirrors as he's shifted expenses onto municipal governments, and according to the state Supreme Court, illegally written his own budget after vetoing the balanced budget sent to him by the legislature.

The smoke and the mirrors can no longer hide the disaster he's created, and now he wants to take his disastrous policies nationwide.

[Odin2005]

5. Timmy The Tool can go too Hell!

[RelativelyJones]

6. So his personal political ambitions take precedent over

the needs of Minnesotans. They ought to tar and feather this guy for daring to pull this.

[warrior1]

7. remove him

from office for dereliction of duty.

[KamaAina]

8. Somebody's running for President again...

or, realistically, for VP. :eyes:

[Bitwit1234]

9. I have to add about Health Care

Minnesota had one one the best state supported Health Care Programs in the country. We have had it for almost 35 years. Ever since Phewlenty took office he has chipped away at it little by little. Cutting taxes for the rich and causing shortfalls he used that to do away with the medicaid part for people who could not afford to pay the small monthly preminum. They now have no health care at all. He tried to get rid of the health care program for low income residents and families. They pay a monthly preminum and are covered like most insurance plans. Pay a copay for doctor visits and prescriptions etc. He couldn't do that. He is just like other republicans cut taxes and give more benefits to the wealthy and do away for social programs for the needy. I would love to see that smirking grin knocked off his face once and for all when he is thrown off the candidate race by a landslide.

[babylonsister]

12. And pawlenty 'ordered' this; that must not sit well. He's working

against his constituents, unless the majority is in agreement.

[Brickbat]

13. K&R so people will know what a nightmare he is -- not only that he would do this, but that he would

do this TO MAKE HIMSELF ATTRACTIVE AS A PRESIDENTIAL OR VP CANDIDATE. Not because he thinks it's right. He's wrecking this state because of his desperate hope that somehow he'll be seen as a dream candidate. I despise this man.