In case, like the governor, you didn't get past the eye-catching ad headline about paying more taxes, here is what it was really about:
- We need more Minnesotans to accquire post-secondary degrees. Yes, we still have a relatively high high school graduation rate, but that's not enough to qualify people for most decent jobs today. Getting kids ready for college actually starts with getting them ready for kindergarten.
- We need all of Minnesota's children to have health insurance. A strong start in life positions kids for success in school, and the effects of early preventive care and screenings ripple through the economy.
- We need more transportation options. Not just roads, but options what reduce congestion.
The state is not investing enough in these areas, and the consequences are becoming very apparent to more Minesotans. But the governor dodged entirely the challenge to his small vision and myopic focus.
He made a joke about challenging the ad's signers to send in a check to the state. And in a backhanded way, implied they were running the ad to get personal recognition of their good citizenship.
Pawlenty should know, after inviting road contractors to send in a check to the state so they could build the 62/35W interchange, financing government doesn't work that way. In fact, philanthropy will never cover all the needs of our society. Not even close.
Still, as Twin City Sidewalks points out, Pawlenty’s “Drive to Excellence” program also asks for donations. "The deal is that the state government asks companies, big and small, to 'lend' some of their talented (and well paid) employees for a year. The state is also asking private companies to pick up the tab for salary and benefits. What do the companies get in exchange for this altruistic gesture?
"The answer is probably, apart from a feeling of goodwill, the opportunity to manipulate the state’s buying and infrastructure decisions."
No, Pawlenty doesn't want the discussion to be about investment, fiscal policy, priorities for the future or what really builds a healthy economy over time. He has to make this about taxes, because really, that's all he's got.
Disappointing as his remarks were, they were also predictable.
More troubling is the response from the progressive world. Aside from the comment thread on MNSpeak, I haven't seen a lot of discussion and support from progressives.
Here are some ideas that can stir up healthy debate and have a lot more to do with people's lives than gay marriage and immigration. But not if the anti-tax crowd is still doing all the talking.
