MNCD4 Needs Change!!!

Betty McCollum Explains Why Budgets Aren't Important to Democrats

2011-07-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

It has been over 800 days since the Democrats have proposed a budget...This video of Betty McCollum in a debate during the 2010 election explains how the Democrats feel about budgets. Spending continues, and we're still waiting for that budget...

Why Don't Democrats Acknowledge God?

2011-04-12T21:47:00.001-05:00

Why are Democrats afraid to say God? Is there a pattern developing here?

Betty McCollum set the stage, she claims to be Catholic...(see original blog post on this here)

And now Harry Reid, he claims to be Mormon...

MN Rep D Betty McCollum On Voter Fraud (there isn't any)!

2010-10-29T00:19:00.002-05:00

Also see Betty McCollum, Congress's Intellectual Leader!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Are Betty McCollum Staffers Astroturfing the Internet?

2010-10-28T15:14:00.006-05:00

Another blogger pointed out to me that Betty McCollum may have a staffer astroturfing the internet for them!

They are posting as MN04.

On a local blog, True North, an article was written about Betty, and MN04 responded and pointed to Betty's press release on Omitting God from the Pledge of Allegiance. This prompted the author at True North to write the following...

http://www.looktruenorth.com/elections/us-congress/14378-real-minnesota-congresswoman-of-genius.html

Then they posted on another blog; Here is the post...

MN04 Says:

28 October, 2010 at 9:54 am

Congresswoman McCollum has led the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor several times before. Check out http://mccollum.house.gov/pledge. It’s all there.

from this blog

http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/congresswoman-betty-mccollum-d-from-minnesota-omits-under-god-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance-on-house-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-90708

and the blog owner's response to me...

MadVoterInMN,

Just so you know, MN04 is a government shill for McCollum. The IP address is from Washington DC and the email address for MN04 ends with “@mail.house.gov”

Also, MN04 has left the same exact message on other websites:

http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-minneapolis/betty-goes-viral
http://www.usmessageboard.com/congress/138992-what-do-these-dems-have-against-god.html
http://friendfeed.com/jookosnews/90106dc6/video-democrat-betty-mccollum-leaves-out-under

Yup, astroturfing the internet, are we Ms. McCollum, err… I mean, MN04?

Cheers

----
Also happened on this blog...
http://www.norcalblogs.com/gate/2010/10/video-of-democrat-omitting-under-god-while-leading-the-pledge-of-allegiance-on-the-house-floor.php

So, here I sit contemplating this...Betty doesn't have her supporters defending her! She has to resort to her staff to post on blogs? And they are doing it from government computers? I can't imagine this doesn't violate some ethics laws, or computer terms of use! Is a staffer using government computers, to post on blogs, in support of a congresswoman?

I demand an investigation!!!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

An Open Letter to the St. Paul Pioneer Press

2010-10-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

Tonight I received the letter below from @StPaulCD4Voter, which has been submitted to the St. Paul Pioneer Press as a Letter to the Editor.

To Thom Fladung -- Editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Dear Mr. Fladung;

Over the last week its been probably the most interesting race in the 4th Congressional District in over 20 years. Unfortunately most of the voters of St. Paul would never know it if they relied solely on your paper to get their information. Luckily the "new media" has done your job for you this campaign, and really shown why the print media is dying in this country. Let me bring you up to speed.

First there has been a lot of debate about debates. It started when Rep. Betty McCollum initially did not respond to Republican Teresa Collett's primary night challenge to hold 4 debates. Collett actually hand delivered a letter to Betty McCollum's office the morning after her primary victory to challenge McCollum face to face. Betty wasn't there, and apparently neither was the Pioneer Press because no story on Teresa's debate challenge ever appeared in the "newspaper of record" for St. Paul.

Finally, after much goading by local bloggers McCollum agreed to appear in a televised debate on KSTP TV, only to back out at the last minute. You would think the refusal of a sitting Congresswoman to appear on television to debate her Republican opponent would be big news, especially given the current political environment and the issues facing our country. But, sadly there was no reporting of this slap in the face to the voters of St. Paul by their elected representative in the Pioneer Press.

Rep McCollum ultimately agreed to appear in two live candidate forums, and one radio forum on MPR. The first forum in front of the White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce, wasn't open to the public. At this debate Rep McCollum proclaimed that she "supports Nancy Pelosi 100% and would vote to reelect her as Speaker." She also called Speaker Pelosi "a consensus builder" despite the fact that she led a unilateral effort on the part of the Democratic Party to pass the hugely unpopular stimulus, cash for clunkers, and health care reform -- that has spawned the voter anger that is driving what could be an historic wave election in just a few days. The story that appeared in the Pioneer Press reporting on this debate has actually been taken down off your website! You would think this story would stay up at least until after the election as a service to your readers who are trying to educate themselves on the issues.

Last week at the Wilder Foundation, Rep McCollum and Teresa Collett again met face to face in front of a live public audience. Anyone who was there would agree that Collett clearly won the debate. She articulately laid out the case for limited government, tax cuts and spending reductions in order to get the economy back on track. The overwhelming consensus from anyone in the room was that Collett came off polished, aware, and in command of the issues. If someone from outside the district had attended the debate, they would have thought Collett actually was the incumbent. Rep McCollum on the other hand, made bizzare statements like:

"Health care reform is not a government takeover"

"The budget is just a piece of paper..its totally non binding"

"AlQaeda is no longer a threat to the United States"

During this debate, many of McCollum's answers drew scorn if not outright laughter from the audience. She showed a remarkable inability to speak without prepared notes, and really didn't seem that well prepared. This story deserved front page news, as it was in front of a packed audience of actual voters attending a Congressional election in a highly contentious national election. Instead St. Paul voters received a bland article, buried in the paper that failed to capture the spirit of the debate or the atmosphere in the room.

Finally the events of the last 72 hours have failed to even make the paper at all. In case you weren't aware the Congresswoman from St. Paul has become a viral sensation on the Internet. A video of her leading Congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, and clearly omitting the words "Under God" is now all over the Internet. The video was featured on the Hannity television show on Monday night and on Glenn Beck's national radio show on Tuesday morning. It is newsworthy because it surfaced at the same time another video of a League of Women Voters debate where the audience demanded that the debate open with the Pledge despite the resistance of the LWV moderator made national news and also went viral.

Today another video of Rep McCollum saying that "Al Qaeda no longer is a threat to the US" appeared on the front page of the National Review, Foxnation.com, Hotair.com, and The Blaze on the same day that a suspect with Al Qaeda connections was arrested in Washington DC, casing possible bombing sites. (I'm hopeful to see a reporting of this in tomorrow's paper, but I'm not holding my breath!) McCollum's statement flies in the face of testimony by Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano and FBI Director Robert Mueller before Congress last month. This statement by McCollum is shocking coming from a sitting Congresswoman, for either she released classified information in the debate at the Wilder Center or she revealed a fundamental lack of understanding of the threats facing our country!

This is an important election. The St. Paul Pioneer Press has failed the voters of St. Paul in its duty to report on the public debate and the events surrounding this campaign. This campaign has clearly shown to those who care to inform themselves which candidate is most qualified to represent the 4th District. Teresa Collett is a former small business owner, an appellate attorney who has tried cases before the Supreme Court, testified before Congress, and is a constitutional law professor at St. Thomas. Betty McCollum has a remarkably undistinguished career in Congress, passing only one bill into law -- renaming a post office! McCollum has been a 100% reliable vote for Nancy Pelosi and the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party her entire career. When Pelosi's approval rate is less than 30%, McCollum's support for her shows that she represents the values of San Francisco, not St. Paul.

In order to maintain any credibility I am calling upon you today to endorse Teresa Collett for Congress. Collett represents the opinion of the majority of the country who are afraid about the growth of government, the growing tax burden on the job creators in this country and the debt the Democrats have levied on our children and grandchildren. McCollum is the poster child for everything that is being rejected by voters across the country!

In order to save your reputation as the clear thinking paper in town -- please endorseTeresa Collett!

Sincerely,

@StPaulCD4Voter

--------------------------------------------

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Why is 10 year Incumbent Betty McCollum Smiling?

2010-10-27T21:27:00.000-05:00

Betty McCollum has been in Congress for 10 years; this video is from Betty's 8th year. So why is Betty smiling...well, this day is a big day for the intellectual flyweight from St. Paul. After 8 years in Congress, and lots of hard work; I mean lots of hardwork, like waking up, breathing etc. Yes, this hardwork pays off, and Betty McCollum passes her first bill! Yes, her first and ONLY BILL in her 10 years in office that is enacted by the President! (for Betty devotee's, a bill can be passed in the House, but means nothing till the President enacts it (signs into law)).

Bill Sandberg sounds like a helluva guy, he was a veteran! Cheers Bill!

Congratulations Betty! Have a drink on me!

You can check here at Govtrack; select the Congress, Betty McCollum and make sure Signed By the President is selected.

So Betty, 10 years, and 1 bill passed...OTHER THAN VOTING TO SPEND OUR MONEY, what have you been doing?

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Did Betty McCollum Release Classified Information During 21 Oct 2010 Debate?

2010-10-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

Betty adamantly claims Al Qaeda no longer poses a threat to the United States! As you will see in the video, this information directly contradicts the testimony of Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Robert Mueller, FBI Director and Michael Leiter, Director of US National Counter Terrorism Center.

The question is, did Betty release classified information...

Or is Betty just dense...

I will go with the latter...there is no way the government would entrust with her matters of national security. Heck, Betty couldn't even get a budget done (and you saw how important she feels a budget is), and she is on the budget committee!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Post Game Wrap Up of MNCD4 Debate with Teresa Collett and Betty McCollum!!!

2010-10-22T00:47:00.001-05:00

This post was written by @StPaulCD4Voter; my comments are at the end.

I'm writing this about an hour after the League of Women Voters Forum in St. Paul let out tonight. I wanted to get this out on social media before the Pioneer Press (who's reporter I'm certain was sitting next to me) has a chance to frame the narrative about what happened tonight. I attended the debate, sat in the second row and tried my best to live tweet the events that I saw. You can follow my tweets on the #mncd4 hashtag. I'm certain the Collett campaign will have the debate up on their www.collettforcongress.com YouTube Channel very soon.

It was great to see a lot of fantastic patriotic people that I've met over social media the last few months. @madvoterinmn @douglasbass and @suejeffersktlk all sat next to me. We had a great time talking before hand and exchanging notes during the debate. The great thing was that the audience seemed to be overwhelmingly pro Collett! This is in St. Paul! The city that hasn't elected a Republican to Congress since WWII! I fully expected to see busloads of SEIU members shipped in to give Betty a friendly environment. Either the busses got caught in traffic, or the DFL machine isn't working for Betty anymore. I'm now more convinced than ever that Teresa Collett can win in MNCD4! She's a great candidate, she articulates her positions clearly and intelligently and she's on the right side of the issues that matter to MN and the US right now.

It should be clear to anyone that was at the debate why Betty McCollum backed out of a live televised debate on KSTP earlier in the campaign. She does not debate well, she has trouble speaking without prepared notes (which she can't even read clearly), and when she does have to speak off the cuff she is prone to saying dumb things. She said some doozies tonight, to which the crowd responded negatively, with gasps, if not outright laughter. Clearly she couldn't take the risk of having such a performance televised. What Betty McCollum doesn't realize is that with new media, that message will get through despite her best efforts. Follow @madvoterinmn and myself at @stpaulcd4voter on Twitter and go tohttp://www.mncdneedschange.blogspot.com/ for more information on Betty McCollum.

I thought it was comical that the League of Women Voters actually called themselves a non partisan organization. This is despite the fact that the MN Voters Alliance has filed an IRS complaint against the League due to the fact that they are also a lobbying organization.http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=872135

The opening statement Betty read from her note cards was full of the typical DFL platitudes. I heard a lot of "keep moving forward" and "not going back to the failed policies of the past" but very little substance of what she actually stood for. She clearly was not prepared to defend her votes on health care, the stimulus, running up the debt or the bailouts to the auto industry.

On the other hand, Teresa Collett, spoke without notes about her life as a mother, a business owner, a successful lawyer, professor and recent grandmother. She said she decided to run for Congress because she's concerned about the country that her newborn granddaughter would one day inherit. She spoke clearly, confidently and sounded polished. She's a great speaker. To anyone from outside MNCD4 that happened to stumble into the Wilder Auditorium, they would have thought Teresa was the incumbant.

The first question of the night was about the recent Don't Ask, Don't Tell judicial ruling issuing an injunction telling the military to quit enforcing the policy. McCollum said that she "has voted to repeal the ban...and would do so again." Collett said that "She trusts the opinion of the professional leadership of the military on this issue. They should make the decision, not judges." As an Army veteran, who still is concerned about our country's ability to effectively defend itself, I know thisto be the right answer. The role of the military is to "kill people and break things" -- it's not a social laboratory, and the leadership's opinion on readiness should be valued, not dismissed by politicians with no military experience such as Rep. McCollum.

The second question was on health care, specifically "Can you discuss the benefits of the health care legislation?" Teresa Collett said firmly the "health care bill is a disaster and that she would vote to repeal it." When she said this the crowd roared in approval, much to the chagrin of Betty McCollum and the LWV moderator, who reminded the crowd to hold their applause.

McCollum went back to the same stale Democratic talking points; "I'm proud of my vote for health care!" she said. She tried to argue that the health care bill was going to save money and make health care more affordable. She also said that "health care reform is not a government takeover..." This drew outright laughter from the audience. The Independence Party Candidate, who is clearly not ready for prime time, tried to say that Teresa Collett was not in favor of an immediate repeal. Collett answered him by saying "When we have a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate, we will override a Presidential veto and repeal the bill.." She commented that wth the political winds across the country its looking more likely that that could happen.

When questioned about what can be done about the federal debt, McCollum made the most laughable answer of the night. It was all talking points and no substance. She said "all options need to be on the table" four times in one two minute answer but didn't say anything that specifically answered the question.

Collett on the other hand pointed out that Betty McCollum sits on the House Budget committees, and that committee didn't even submit a budget this year. "If you can't even submit a budget, how can you balance a budget?" She asked. Collett said she supports the Pence Ammendment limiting federal spending to 20% of GDP, and that in order to restore fiscal sanity we have to look at entitlement spending. McCollum, speaking off the cuff, made a bizzarre comment that "the budget that committee submits is non binding, it doesn't mean anything." This seems to reflect the current thinking of the Democratic Party.

On the question about what will it take to get the economy moving again, Collett said that "the first order of business in the new Congress in January has to be extending the tax cuts to everyone." She said the problem with the current Congress is that very few of the members have any business experience at all, and that they don't know how jobs get created. Betty McCollum clearly was in this group, because she argued that while she's for "middle class tax cuts" (which is code for tax credits to people who don't pay taxes), we can't afford a tax cut for the top 3% of earners. Collett countered that the top 3% include small business owners whose business income as S Corporations are passed onto their personal income tax statements. Massive tax increases on business owners will hurt, not stimulate job creation.

The stupidest comment of the night came on the defense question, when Betty McCollum said: "Al Qaeda no longer poses a threat to the United States.." Wow, I've been so involved in following the campaign, I must have missed that news! She also said that there are "less than 100 Al Qaeda left in Afghanistan..." McCollum did say, however that the military was drawing up contingency plans for global warming. That's a relief! I guess in Betty McCollum's world Global Warming is a bigger threat to the US than Al Qaeda.

There was a question about which founding father you admired the most. Teresa Collett answered that James Madison was her favorite, because he believed in limited government and that he wrote the Constituion. Betty McCollum gave some lame answer about Ben Franklin because he was such a renaissance man, free thinker, etc...I guess Betty forgot that Ben Franklin was also a big proponent for term limits!

At the end of the debate, and during closing statments, Betty McCollum basically repeated her opening statement. The main reason she could come up with for voting for her was that she was born in South St Paul, was raised in North St Paul and lives in St. Paul now. She also tried to call for civility in discourse and that we shouldn't use hate speech. I was left wondering, "what hate speech?" This reminded me of her comments earlier this year comparing Michelle Bachmann and the Tea Party to Tim McVeigh. Simply insulting Betty! People who disagree with you aren't terrorists, and differing opinion is not hate speech.

Teresa Collett on the other hand, summarized her candidacy by saying "I'm for freedom and fiscal sanity!" She said that accumulating debt is morally irresponsible and that if elected she would work to bring sanity back to government. Her closing statement drew thunderous applause from the audience, and contrary to what the Pioneer Press will say tomorrow morning -- the applause was for Teresa, not ALL of the candidates!

I left energized and motivated that contrary to what the media will report, there is a race in MNCD4. There has been no polling in this district, but the same dynamics that are putting Jim Oberstar in trouble in Duluth can also swamp Betty McCollum in St. Paul. We have to stay motivated, talk to your neighbors and make sure everyone gets out and votes for Teresa Collett. My recent post Electoral Math How Teresa Collett can Beat Betty http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=155203901176998 outlines how the math can break in our favor!

This can be an historic election, and I hope that St. Paul voters can come out and make our state proud for a change. I'm tired of being a laughingstock for the rest of the US...

__________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for the outstanding recap of this debate @StPaulCD4Voter! I just need to add a few of my notes, which I can't do in the comment section because I can't put HTML in the comments.

St. Paul, for 5 decades you have been ruled by the DFL, this is the year the pendulum swings to the other side! The room at the Wilder Foundation holds 285 people; there was at least that many there, as people were standing along the walls around the entire room! This morning news came out that SEIU would be sending people to the event. Yes, there were a few SEIU folks there; they stuck out in their dress and mannerisms. The significant portion of the crowd was either professionals or retired.

The format for this debate was questions from the audience. We had to write our questions down, and turn them in. The LWV then filtered the questions. As the questions were asked, they appeared to be written from a liberal perspective. I know that none of the questions asked of the candidates were submitted by people I know.

As @StPaulCD4Voter pointed out, Betty was laughed at a number of times for her comments; what is equally important, Teresa Collett was never laughed at. When Teresa spoke, the audience was riveted to her answers, and often erupted in loud cheers.

I was pretty disappointed in Betty McCollum's ability to address a crowd. She literally read her statements, and when she would take her eyes off her paper to look at the audience, she would get off track and lose her focus. For someone who has been in Congress for 10 years, I expected more. One would think the DFL would've recognized this a long time ago, and sent her to Toastmasters...

Many of Betty's gaffe's are noted above, but a couple notables to address. When asked about reducing the deficit, Betty said all options are on the table. Uhm, Betty hasn't met a spending bill she hasn't liked. When budget cutting ideas are presented, Betty votes against them. For example, Youcut has been introduced a number of times, and Betty has voted against it every time. Each one would save billions over 10 years. Also, H.R. 4720, the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act, which would give Congress a 5% paycut (starting salary for Congress is $179,000). This is still stuck in committee. So it is hard to take Betty at face value when she says "All options are on the table". Betty was laughed at loudly for her response.

Other laughs from the audience (mind you, there were around 285 people there, and every time, a significant portion of the room laughed...

When Betty said President Bush signed a law last week, people got a good laugh out of that!
Al Qaeda isn't a threat!
Freddie and Fannie aren't part of the government (technically not, but we are bailing them out)
It was also pretty funny to hear Betty explain she admired Benjamin Franklin because he had original thought. Betty hasn't had an original thought since Nancy Pelosi told her to have one!

Watch the debates on TV when they are televised, there are more...

As noted by @StPaulCD4Voter, I too am flummoxed by Betty saying there is hate speech. I am not sure what she is referring to, but I know Betty and liberals don't like it when you disagree with them. In fact, Betty defriended me on Facebook because I asked questions on her Facebook page. Read my post on it here.

If you were at the debate, you would've seen Betty often looked confused, frustrated, mad and stumbled over her words without answering the questions. This was in diametric opposition to Teresa Collett, who commanded the room; she was articulate, informed and spoke to a point with passion. That is leadership!

The best was at the end of the debate. We went up to tell Teresa Collett she did a great job, but there were people already queued up, so we waited. I thought it was a line going to Betty and Teresa, until I realized...the long line was to get to Teresa!!! Betty had only a few people standing around her!!! We waited 10 minutes to get to Teresa, and by that time, Betty had left the building! Bye, Bye Betty!!!

MNCD4, smile tomorrow, the pendulum is swinging in a different direction! The enthusiasm for Teresa Collett tonight was overwhelming, and the disdain towards Betty McCollum was evident! We see this happening in other parts of the country; incumbents being taken down by newcomers. It is happening in the 8th, where Chip Craavack is neck and neck with 36 year incumbent Jim Oberstar! MNCD4, it's happening in our district too. There is enthusiasm, and Teresa Collett is an awesome, and well qualified candidate (Law professor and small business owner).

...and finally, for the last couple weekends, I have been going out searching for Teresa Collett and Vote Betty signs in Inver Grove Heights, S. and W. St. Paul, White Bear Lake and St. Paul. I see a roughly 10:1 ratio of Teresa signs vs. Betty signs!

I almost felt sorry for Betty, till I realized Nancy Pelosi can comfort her.

Is MN Rep D Betty McCollum One of Us? Duh, No Way!!!

2010-10-19T21:38:00.000-05:00

Teresa Collett's new TV ad. Ask's a great question...Is Betty McCollum one of us? You decide...I say NO!!! Bye bye Betty, I went to Target and bought you some storage bins for your move; contact me for details!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Unseen Footage of MN Rep D Betty McCollum on Larry King Live...What a Mental Midget!

2010-10-11T21:54:00.001-05:00

For once, Larry King doesn't pitch softballs for questions! Thanks go out to a Major in the Madvoter Army for digging up this never before seen video of Larry King's interview with MNCD'4 very own intellectual lightweight, Betty McCollum. No wonder these never made it on CNN...

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Since MN Rep D Betty McCollum Won't Answer This Question, I Will

2010-10-11T20:31:00.001-05:00

Another great post from our friends at the True North Blog.

Since Betty McCollum Won't Answer This Question, I Will

Written by Douglas Bass

Monday, 04 October 2010 23:27

Betty McCollum was asked a question by a constituent at the so-called "DFL Town Hall Rally" on September 13. I'm not reproducing it exactly, but it was something like this: the national debt was thus-and-such [$5.67 trillion] when you were first elected to Congress in 2000, and now it's $13.56 trillion. How much of the increase in the national debt do you attribute to your Congressional votes?"

I'm not reproducing Betty's answer exactly, but I did take notes. She said that at the end of the Clinton administration, we were looking at trillion dollar surpluses as far as the eye could see. She voted against the Bush tax cuts. When 9/11 came, she voted for military action in Afghanistan, but she voted for paying for it. She said she knew there were no WMD's in Iraq, she voted against the Iraq war multiple times, and the massive amounts of money spent on it. She said that there was a Republican administration for eight of those ten years. In short, she was proud of the votes she cast, and wasn't going to apologize to anyone about her votes.

I have already gotten the bile out of my system about Betty giving a boastful, buck-passing non-answer to a constituent. I don't think I'll ever be a Representative, but if I ever am, I'll never, never, never treat a constituent like that. Ok, maybe I haven't gotten all the bile out of my system about Betty's response. But I thought to myself at the time, "Hmm, that might be a good thing to investigate."

It has been pointed out by quite a few people of the strong ties between Betty McCollum and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They are ideologically compatible, and they bonded early in McCollum's House career when Pelosi asked McCollum in 2001 to give the speech nominating Pelosi for the post of Democratic Whip. Pelosi held the post of Democratic Whip from 2001 to 2003.

I'm seeing conflicting information regarding the position Betty McCollum holds within the Democratic Party. Betty's website says she "holds the prestigious position of Senior Democratic Whip within the House Democratic Caucus." But apparently that's a different position than House Majority Whip, currently held by James Clyburn. Betty is also not one of the nine House members who are part of Clyburn's Whip team. dKosopedia mentions her as a "Regional Whip." But the thing I want to point out from this is that Betty is not just your average Democrat Representative. Betty is part of the Democrat House leadership.

UPDATE: A gentleman at Betty McCollum's Washington DC office informed me that the Democratic party has roughly 30 whips, and Betty is a senior member of that group of 30 whips, even though she is not in the post of Majority Whip, and is not a member of James Clyburn's Whip team. Furthermore, while Betty was a Regional Whip in a previous Congress, she is no longer a Regional Whip, so the information at dKosopedia is no longer accurate

There is another thing I discovered about Betty that is probably not known by very many people. It is my understanding that Betty has served on the House Appropriations Committee since entering Congress, but I didn't know that she serves on both the the Appropriations and Budget Committees. The Wikipedia page for Betty McCollum says:

McCollum is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where she is the only Minnesotan. At the start of the 111th Congress, McCollum was also appointed to the United States House Budget Committee. Under normal circumstances, House Democrats aren't allowed to serve on another committee when they also serve on one of the chamber's four exclusive "A" committees--Appropriations, Energy and Commerce, Rules, and Ways and Means. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and committee chairman Henry Waxman granted McCollum a waiver allowing her to take a second committee slot.

This is more evidence to show that Betty McCollum is not your average Democrat Representative. Say what you will about Betty McCollum, call her clueless, call her a trained ideological seal, call her forgetful about the Pledge of Allegiance, she has been remarkably successful at the game of attaining powerful positions by being connected with powerful people, and leveraging those connections. She hitched her wagon to then-Democratic-Whip- candidate Nancy Pelosi's star, and she has been rewarded handsomely in multiple ways for her faithful service as now-Speaker Pelosi's handmaiden.

I'm writing all this to justify my answer to the stiffarmed constituent's question. If a piece of Federal legislation was passed with Democrat support anytime between 2000 and now, it is most likely Betty McCollum had a significant role in passing it, either through her actions on the Appropriations and Budget Committees, or her actions as a Whip. I believe they have more of an impact than her House vote on the legislation in question. Contrarywise, if a piece of Federal legislation passed over Democrat opposition during that same period, it is most likely Betty McCollum had a significant role in opposing it for the same reasons.

It's actually hard to put a numeric figure on the impact of someone's votes, because there are differences of opinion as to the impact of a piece of legislation. For example, if you asked Betty McCollum, she would most likely tell you that the Bush tax cuts made the deficits go higher. But there are other folks who argue with equal eloquence and passion that the Bush tax cuts stimulated the economy, which increased government tax receipts, which decreased the deficit from what it would have been without them. However, the pattern of deficits is quite different, depending on the party in power

Here's another way of looking at this chart...

Therefore, my answer to the stiffarmed constituent's question is "Betty McCollum was probably not all that responsible for the $1.5 trillion of deficits during 2000-2006, a little more responsible for the $600 billion of deficits during 2007-2008, and a lot more responsible for the $3.2 trillion of deficits during 2009-2010."

I was thinking this way after the meeting on September 13, but I hate it that I think this way. I was thinking "I'm not going to get a straight answer from Betty McCollum, am I?" At this point I'm thinking "Sadly, no." And why won't I get a straight answer from Betty McCollum? Because she's a Company Gal, she's part of the Democrat establishment, she's "The Man," and she didn't get there by giving straight answers, and she's not going to stay there if she gives any straight answers. My only consolation is that she didn't indulge in any of the "I'll go on my diet tomorrow" conversation that President Obama unsuccessfully peddled. So Betty, you go right ahead and be proud of your votes. I'll be proud of my vote for Teresa Collett in November.

---------------

The Other Video MN Rep D Betty McCollum Doesn't Want You to See!!!

2010-10-06T20:41:00.000-05:00

The new ad MN GOP is running for Teresa Collett to unseat Nancy Pelosi's yes girl, Betty McCollum...

Remember in November...lets drain the swamp!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem? But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Remember, if you see me, please honk!

Electoral Math -- How Teresa Collett Can Beat MN Rep D Betty McCollum

2010-10-03T14:44:00.000-05:00

I found this great article on the Dump Betty McCollum Facebook Page, so I had to share it!

According to a recent poll only 36% of MNCD4 voters have a positive opinion of Nancy Pelosi. Assume that is Betty's base, the tree hugging, Kool Aid drinking, pachouli oil smelling, hard core leftists with Vote Betty signs in their yard and Obama and Wellstone bumper stickers on their Priuses.

The Republican candidate has received at least 31% of the vote in MNCD4 the last few elections. I know I'm in that group and likely so are you if you are reading this.

There is an unknown 3rd party candidate in the race, who likely will get 5% of the vote, if history holds true. Don't be tempted to vote for him to "Send a Message" -- not this year. Voting for a true constitutional conservative like Teresa Collett will send a message loud and clear to to Pelosi, Reid, Obama and Company!

That leaves 28% in the Undecided category. The exciting thing is that according to a recent poll the undecideds are expected to break hard for Republicans this year. Historically the undecided vote always goes against the party in power in off year elections, and that trend surely will continue this year! With the presence of a 3rd party, it will take around 48% of the vote to win this year.

If the 28% undecideds go 60% for Collett -- adding that total to the 31% Republican base comes out to a 47.8% total for Collett!

Final tally:

Collett 47.8%

McCollum 47.2

3rd Party 5%

This race can be won! Don't believe the media who will say MNCD4 is solidly democratic. The left is down and we're energized. Dick Morris thinks there could be the opportunity to pick up over 100 seats -- many from districts that no one expected! MNCD4 could be one of those districts. Talk to your friends and neighbors, follow us on FB and Twitter, write letters to the editor, contribute and mobilize. Every vote counts, and together we can Dump Betty and take back a seat that has been occupied by the DFL since WWII!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress,supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Says the Stimulus Worked! Uhm, Epic FAIL!!!

2010-09-30T23:28:00.002-05:00

First, challenger Teresa Collett answers. Clear, concise and articulate, but what else would you expect from a law professor...

and then we have brain dead Betty McCollum, who would be overmatched in a debate with Paris Hilton!

Betty, you start off talking about injecting confidence into the market, and the stimulus was the best way to do so. Sure...maybe if that was the only thing you did, but you also did auto bailouts, TARP, Obamacare, Cash for Clunkers, Cash for Caulkers and Congress gave themselves a payraise. Since none of those worked, there was no confidence. In fact, I don't know of one person who was affected by the stimulus package! But, there certainly was a lot of government employees hired.

You talk about 9% unemployment, and it would've been 16% if not for the stimulus. Well genius, get out of Washington DC and talk to your district (which you don't do)! The Real Unemployment Rate (underemployed and discouraged workers) is around 22%! Betty, I am not a dummy; I am an educated professional!

To listen to your talking points is nauseating. We could put any Democrat up there, close our eyes and hear the same talking points your leadership sent with you!

Let's look at some #'s I found here:

In the table below, I’ve calculated the net change in employment by industry from February 2009, when the stimulus bill was passed, to July 2010, using the latest data available from the BLS. (Click row headings for data source.)

Jobs Created
Forecast

(Q4-2010)
Jobs Created
Actual

(2/2009 to 7/2010)
TOTAL 3,675,000 -2,629,700
Mining 26,000 -14,000
Construction 678,000 -862,000
Manufacturing 408,000 -660,000
Wholesale Trade 158,000 -173,900
Retail Trade 604,000 -288,900
Information 50,000 -161,000
Financial Activities 214,000 -321,000
Professional and Business Services 345,000 -246,000
Education and Health Services 240,000 +473,000
Leisure and Hospitality 499,000 -86,000
Other Services 99,000 -71,000
Utilities 11,000 -11,400
Transportation and Warehousing 98,000 -143,500
Government 244,000 -64,000

	Jobs Created Forecast (Q4-2010)	Jobs Created Actual (2/2009 to 7/2010)
TOTAL	3,675,000	-2,629,700
Mining	26,000	-14,000
Construction	678,000	-862,000
Manufacturing	408,000	-660,000
Wholesale Trade	158,000	-173,900
Retail Trade	604,000	-288,900
Information	50,000	-161,000
Financial Activities	214,000	-321,000
Professional and Business Services	345,000	-246,000
Education and Health Services	240,000	+473,000
Leisure and Hospitality	499,000	-86,000
Other Services	99,000	-71,000
Utilities	11,000	-11,400
Transportation and Warehousing	98,000	-143,500
Government	244,000	-64,000

Oh, and the Central Corridor...so if you were working on that for 20 years, how did that benefit from the stimulus? Also, the Central Corridor...how will that keep the major corporations? It connects both downtowns! People already get to their jobs.

One more thing Betty...your idol, Kenya's Village Idiot admitted the stimulus failed, so why are you defending it?

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress,supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Answers Question Without Answering Question at WBL Debate!

2010-09-28T23:01:00.002-05:00

This is from the White Bear Area Chamber of Comm Cand. Forum on 9/21. Here we have Betty McCollum at it again. It's obvious they were given the questions in advance, so one would think Betty would be prepared to answer the question...

You can see the hamster spooling up to full power as Betty struggles to start her response. Betty continues on with DFL rabble-rowser nonsense. Uhm, sure Betty...tell that to the millions still unemployed, and businesses who see flat revenues as a victory! Tell that to the businesses that are to nervous to do anything because of the uncertainty of government regulations and taxes.

Betty, you say you talk to businesses? Sure you do, I read about it in your press releases! And the ones you talk to (nice businesses, I am familiar with some of them) are getting federal money. Well, I DO to. I work with small and mid-size manufacturers and distributors in my real job, and I don't hear the positive spin you are putting on. I hear how they are nervous, and don't know what is coming next. I hear how they can't get loans, how they are losing customers because they are going out of business, how they had to let staff go and are concerned about healthcare reform. It is like you read right from the DFL script. Gee, why would that be hard to believe?

What was really surprising is, you never answered the question. "What are you doing in Washington to fix the economy"?

Sputnik?
Then China?
What are you talking about?
Clean technologies?

I agree, we need to get to clean technologies...but, that is a ways down the road, and the government can't be subsidizing clean technologies (which the DFL wants to do, but that is another topic). In the meantime, we need the government to stay out of business, not a cheerleader for more policies on business. What was the question Betty?

Teresa Collett, then proceeds to slap Betty down...

Betty, I am optimistic about our future too, that is after Nov. 2nd!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Supports Nancy Pelosi (still)!

2010-09-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

Ok, right now Democrats that are up for re-election are running as fast as they can from Nancy Pelosi, Obama, Tarp, Obamacare and many of their other silly votes that spent our money. Today it has even come up that she is losing support in her own party to be re-elected as House Speaker!

Now, we know Betty McCollum is not an intellectual heavyweight, so one would think if you are running for re-election in a hotly contested contest, Betty might distance herself from Nancy Pelosi and their controversial bills they passed. Oh no, not MNCD4's own mental midget. She comes right out and says she supports Nancy Pelosi!

Betty, really? Of course you support her. First off you forgot to mention Jim Oberstar. Secondly, why is Nancy bringing the Minnesota delegation together? There are 8 representatives from MN in Congress, why don't you pull yourselves together and do what is best for Minnesota, instead of San Francisco?

If you don't know who Teresa Collett is, I urge you to spend some time learning about her positions.

Betty McCollum must be the only Democrat running on the "I Support Nancy Pelosi" platform...I told you she isn't very bright!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Rep. Betty McCollum's Town Hall: God, Health Care, and a Chicken

2010-09-27T20:31:00.000-05:00

Beautiful insight on a Betty McCollum townhall. Well, townhall is really a misnomer; this was a DFL, pat each other on the back, and pretend things are good kind of party.

Rep. Betty McCollum's Town Hall: God, Health Care, and a Chicken

September 27th, 2010 1:55 am CT

Chris Conner

St. Paul Religion & Politics Examiner

Betty McCollum joined a panel of health care experts at Gloria Dei, ELCA, in Saint Paul, MN Sunday night. While the discussion about health care and God ensued inside, a small group of protesters gathered outside.

Last week, Rep. McCollum was scheduled to debate her opponent, Teresa Collett live on local television. McCollum backed out just a few days before.

Instead, she made time for a town hall at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, attended by about 60 people, where Pastor Lois Pallmeyer opened up with prayer for health care reform.

McCollum praised the “faith community” for their activism saying, “I wish there was a public option in this bill. We need a single payer system. We need your prayers to keep health care reform moving in the right direction.”

McCollum did not allow video recording of the event and appeared uneasy when somebody in a chicken suit came to the door. The protester was quickly escorted away.

The panel framed health care reform as a matter of responsibility. “We all are responsible to contribute to the collective so that everybody has health insurance, so that those who are able to pay can help those who cannot.” The panelists argued that health care is a right, not a privilege, perpetuating a divisive dichotomy around a very complicated and difficult issue.

McCollum bemoaned that there is no dialogue about the bill because of bitter partisanship. Still, only one side was discussed and many questions from the audience were screened out.

While denying “death panels” in the bill, McCollum spoke about requiring health care directives and end of life plans so that people can “die with dignity.” She spoke of her own decision to let her mother die.
The evening was rife with similar contradictions. The low turnout suggests that angry citizens are tuning McCollum out. Her refusal to debate Collett on live television before a larger audience is admittedly a political calculation on her part, albeit a risky one in this political climate. McCollum has a reputation for becoming tongue-tied.

After the event, one man asked the pastor if she would be willing to hold a dialogue between McCollum and Collett. Pallmeyer said, “No. McCollum is our Representative.”

Outside, cars honked at the dancing chicken holding a sign that urges McCollum to put her committment to "dialogue" into action:

“Chicken Betty- Debate”

When asked, the protesters admitted that the Collett campaign was not aware of their activity.

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Lies About Obamacare at Townhall

2010-09-25T20:30:00.000-05:00

On Sep 13th, Betty McCollum held a townhall at liberal Macalester college. The only place more DFL friendly is an SEIU/DFL lovefest. This gentleman owns a company, and his biggest concern was healthcare when he laid people off because his broker told him his rates would be going up. Now that Obamacare is starting, his healthcare costs are going up so much he may have to shut his business down. His question for Betty is, "When you voted for Obamacare, were you aware healthcare costs would go up"?

After the question, Betty spewed the typical DEMOCRAT garbage about how great Obamacare is for this gentleman.

Betty blames the insurance companies for rising healthcare costs. Uhm, sure Betty. The insurance industry operates on thin margins, around 4%. Unlike retail which can be around 40-45%. So when the insurance companies are told who/what to cover and caps are eliminated, it adds to their costs. Betty, you were a retail manager for 25 years, I would think you would understand that. Than again, you are an intellectual lightweight
Betty compares car insurance to health insurance. You nitwit Betty! Car insurance is based upon an individual. If you are a bad driver, your costs only affect your rates. Car insurance is also pretty clear because there are only a few variables that is covered; deductible, personal injury, uninsured motorist etc...Health insurance is based upon a pool of people, and thousands of variables. How many different health problems are there? This is not an apple to apple comparison!
Betty talks about how this gentleman and businesses can get credits on their healthcare costs. She uses 50%. Well, actually, Betty uses the term REWARD for providing healthcare to his employees. Betty you idiot! Business provide healthcare because it is a competitive advantage in hiring. It is called a benefit! Ok,first off, who do you think is paying for the credit these businesses will receive? I am, you are. This isn't socialism? WE are now paying for these healthcare credits these businesses receive, and our healthcare. Second, Betty makes it sound automatic, but in order to get the credits, a business must meet the following criteria.

The federal law, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, targets companies with 25 or fewer employees earning an average wage of less than $50,000. Companies with 10 or fewer workers who earn an average wage of less than $25,000 could qualify for the maximum credit.

This video explains all the new taxes on small businesses due to Obamacare (guess you forgot to mention these Betty McCollum)!

To read all the tax increases facing small businesses, click here.

Betty McCollum, keep painting that rosey picture of Obamacare; according to Rasmussen reports, 74% of us don't believe you, and WE WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Betty McCollum MN Rep D Supports Nancy Pelosi 100%!!!

2010-09-21T23:38:00.002-05:00

Today was a big day in MNCD4! Our current congresswoman, the intellectual flyweight, Betty McCollum debated her challenger Teresa Collett. This wasn't the televised event that Betty McCollum chickened out on, but a debate that was sponsored by the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce.

There were a couple important things to come out of this debate. First, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there is a clear choice for MNCD4.

Collett, a University of St. Thomas law professor, took shots at McCollum for supporting President Obama's health-care initiative and for backing various approaches, such as the federal stimulus package and last year's "Cash for Clunkers'' rebate program, aimed at reviving the economy.

"The simple fact is that we need new leadership and we will get this country back on track,'' Collett said.

Collett said voters should reject members of Congress who voted for the health-care bill so Congress can repeal it and replace it with something better.

Spot on Teresa! If you think Health Care Reform the way it stands now is going to deliver the way Betty McCollum, Nancy Pelosi and Obama promised, please read my post. We were told the following, all of which are disputed by many think tanks. Rates weren't supposed to increase, but they are. The uninsured will be put in Medicaid, but Dr.'s are leaving Medicaid in droves; this changes the quality of care. Taxes will increase (there are 17 new taxes) to pay for Health Care Reform. The national debt will actually increase. We were promised we could keep our health insurance, but 17 million people will lose it, and some big companies are considering eliminating their healthcare plans and paying the fine.

Reader, do you agree Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing a great job? Do you think she is taking America down the right track? Where are the jobs? What about the increasing national debt? What about the economy? These are things Bush can't be blamed for; the Democrats have been in control of Congress since 2006! Think about where we are at; think long and hard. Has Nancy Pelosi done a great job? How about a good job? I don't think so.

Recently there is talk about whether or not Nancy Pelosi will retain her position as Speaker of the House. This question leads us to the second important item to come out of this debate, and that is where Betty McCollum stands on Nancy Pelosi.

According to the Pioneer Press, Teresa Collett said, "The simple fact is that we need new leadership and we will get this country back on track,''

And then we have Betty who stands behind Pelosi 100%.

Pelosi has a 39% approval rating in MNCD4! Uhm, that isn't very good, and is lower than Obama, especially when she is half a country away! But Betty backs Pelosi 100%! This year, Betty has voted 100% with Pelosi! Is that good for MNCD4, or is that good for San Francisco? Isn't this part of the problem in Washington? There is no disputing Pelosi is one of the most powerful women in Washington, but by voting 100% with Pelosi, isn't that just pushing through her agenda? Again, how is that good for MNCD4?

As Betty said on Pelosi, "I'm going to support a leader who brings people together to move this country forward.''

Betty, thanks for clearing that up. Move this country forward? I would say you have moved us backwards over the last 4 years! And you are right, Pelosi has brought people together; Conservatives and Tea Party members! Seriously Betty, concentrate and think hard...focus Betty. Over the last year people have become pissed off; me included, thus this blog. Now here is your test Betty... Over the last year we have heard of...

people that didn't pay much attention to politics (me), to becoming very informed
Democrats turning Republican or Tea Party
Independents turning Tea Party or Republican
Liberals turning Tea Party or Republican

What is missing Betty? Let me answer this for you. What we haven't heard is Republicans, Independents or Tea Party people say, "Hey, things are going great, I like the direction the country is headed in, I am voting Democrat"!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Support Teresa Collett at 10 Buck Fridays

2010-09-12T09:55:00.000-05:00

Help Teresa Collett defeat Betty McCollum! Vote for her in the 10 buck Friday poll! To vote, click herel.

An abbreviated TBF post for now ― I'll add in all the usual bells and whistles when I get back from the 9/12 March! Here's this week's Ten Buck Friday's poll...

*To ensure that your vote is counted, vote before you view results:

Bloggers: Share this poll. Results will be cumulative!

The friendly competition is expected be tough this week. Start promoting your favorite candidate(s) now!

Betty McCollum Chickens Out on Debate With Teresa Collet

2010-09-10T21:18:00.000-05:00

The most anticipated debate since Ross Perot v. Bush v. Clinton was to take place in MNCD4. Yep, who knew! The debate was to be between current incumbent, and intellectual flyweight Betty McCollum vs. Republican challenger Teresa Collett; an attorney and law professor at UST. But, yesterday Betty chickened out, and cancelled the debate; once again screwing MNCD 4, by denying us a chance to hear her unintelligible ramblings.

This debate was to be a televised debate, which would've shown Betty's minimal intellectual capacity. I'm guessing the DFL leadership (DFL has held this seat for 50 years) recognized Betty's not a mental giant, and that she would be in over her head in a debate with Paris Hilton; so they pulled the plug on the debate. They used the reasoning that KSTP owner gave $2k to Teresa. "We don't do debates where the sponsoring organization has made political contributions to our opponents," Blauvelt said. "We've had the principle for three or four cycles now."

Uhm, so what! It is $2k. Big deal...Don't worry Betty...we are out in force on Twitter, FB and blogs spreading the word of your incompetence. Below is a posting from another blog, Let Freedom Ring, about Betty pulling out of the debate with Teresa...
__________________________________________________________________________________

Written by Gary Gross

Friday, 10 September 2010 05:15

Like many Democrats, Rep. Betty McCollum is afraid to face her GOP opponent. I can't blame Rep. McCollum for not wanting to debate Teresa Collett, especially on TV. That isn't a matchup I'd look forward to if I was Rep. McCollum's campaign manager. Still, it's telling that Rep. McCollum has refused to debate Teresa Collett on TV:

Teresa Collett, Republican candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 4th district today called upon DFL incumbent Congresswoman Betty McCollum to explain why she is denying the voters the chance to see the differences between the candidates on the November ballot. Today, McCollum rejected an invitation to take part in the KSTP-Channel 5 debate to be taped on Sept. 19th. Despite Congress not being in session that day, no reason was given for the snub.

“What does Betty McCollum have to hide from the voters besides her record”, asked Teresa Collett.

America’s prosperity has been derailed by the politicians in Washington and Betty McCollum and Nancy Pelosi are part of the problem. Betty McCollum has been in office for nine and a half years and unemployment is nine and a half percent. Throughout the 4th Congressional district in Minnesota unemployment has doubled or tripled since Betty took office.

“McCollum is a typical politician who does not want to debate on television where voters may be informed of her record and the voters deserve more from her than that,” stated Collett.

Teresa Collett is a law professor at the University of St. Thomas, a wife and mother of three, an author, lecturer and advocate.

Rep. McCollum has voted for the trifecta, aka the stimulus, Pelosicare and Cap and Trade. Nobody in their right mind thinks that the stimulus has worked. Rep. McCollum probably isn't participating in this debate because she doesn't want to have to defend those votes. Even in typically Democratic districts, voters saw the Democrats' radicalism.

Prior to this year, Rep. McCollum could coast, never thinking twice about voting for radical things like Cap and Tax or Pelosicare. This year, she can't be certain that she'll get away with those votes. Standing alongside a competent, intelligent conservative lady like Teresa Collett isn't the image that McCollum wants splashed across a TV screen.

I've heard Collett on the radio a number of times. She's an impressive candidate, easily McCollum's equal, if not better. In this crazy year, Teresa Collett certainly is capable of defeating Rep. McCollum. The people that were identified early as vulnerable now lost for the D's and the next group well on their way to losing, the NRCC should be well on their way of targeting the group that was initially classified as leans Democrat.

McCollum refusing to debate on statewide TV is a sign of weakness. More importantly, it's proof that she's worried. If I was managing the Collett campaign, I'd start running ads similar to the old Wellstone Where's Rudy ads. If McCollum won't debate on TV, then I'd highlight that by ridiculing McCollum.

Comments welcome at LFR.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Betty McCollum Screwed MNCD 4 With Healthcare Reform Vote

2010-09-09T00:51:00.001-05:00

Betty McCollum, you were so proud of your vote for Obamacare when you rammed it through without reading it. Your office claimed your district supported it and wanted it, but that isn't what I see here or here. This is a bill MNCD 4 and America did not want! Polling this week says 56% of registered voters are in favor of repealing it!

One can only assume you didn't read the bill, because your pal Nancy Pelosi said, "Well, we have to pass the bill to see what is in it".

What I find really troubling is the lies that you sold us on this bill. Let's start with the first one. You said on your website:

"Making health insurance affordable for middle class and small businesses-one of largest tax cuts for health care in history - reducing premiums and out‐of‐pocket costs."

That is a great line when you are trying to buy votes, but today reality sets in when insurers announced they need to raise premiums due to the Healthcare Reform that YOU passed!

From CBS News today:
"Health insurers across the country are planning to raise premiums for some of their customers in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reports, and they are in part blaming President Obama's health care reform package for the rate hikes.

Aetna Inc., some BlueCross BlueShield plans and other smaller carriers have asked regulators to approve premium increases of between one percent and nine percent to pay for the bill's early benefits..."

Wait, that wasn't supposed to happen; you said premiums would go down, not up! Betty McCollum, you are a liar! If you lied about this, what else did you lie about? Or didn't you know, because you had to read the bill to see what is in it?

Now Betty, here is another lie you told. In the same statement you present another benefit of Healthcare Reform:

"Reducing the deficit by $130 billion over next ten years, and by $1.2 trillion more over the following decade; reining in waste, fraud and abuse, paying for quality over quantity of care."

On May 12th, the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) released this:

"The director of the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that the health care reform legislation would cost, over the next ten years, $115 billion more than previously thought, bringing the total cost to more than $1 trillion."

Let me get this straight Betty; you said a savings of $130 billion over 10 years, and the accountants said there would be a cost increase of $115 billion over the same time frame. Hmm, sounds like another lie Betty! Should've read the bill!

You also claim how this will benefit Medicare, but the reality is, Dr.'s are leaving Medicare in droves because of the cuts that were made in Medicare payments. Another lie Betty! Should've read the bill!

But the real kicker to this comes from Senate Majority Leader, Nevada Senator Harry Reid. On July 21, Senator Reid sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius, the Senate Majority Leader complains that ObamaCare’s cuts to Medicare will “result in a net reduction in payment to Nevada’s hospitals when they are unable to absorb such a cut.” Furthermore, he questions the method used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to calculate the payments to hospitals, and is “very concerned about potential effects on beneficiary access if this regulation is finalized without adjustment.”

Betty, if Harry has the same concerns about the effect Obamacare will have on Nevada's hospitals, shouldn't we have the same concerns for Minnesota? Stand up for us Betty, and repeal healthcare reform!

This video gives a nice synopsis of Obamacare...

Betty McCollum, you lied about insurance premiums going down, budget savings and medicare. That is all I am going to cover for now, but if you lied about those, what else did you lie about? Betty, you should've read the bill, but as a well known intellectual lightweight, you should've asked someone to read it to you.

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Betty McCollum is Anti-Business

2010-09-06T14:11:00.002-05:00

Update at 1845
Since I wrote this, Obama gave a labor day speech; in his speech, he spoke about the new "infrastructure upgrade". Gee, as it turns out, who will benefit the most? The unions!!! Thanks Betty McCollum and Barack Hussein!!! http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=870598

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In my job that pays me money, I work with small and mid-size manufacturers and distributors. For the last 3 years, I have heard them talk about the economy and how it was killing their business; since the beginning of 2010, these owners and CEO's of small companies have changed their tune. No, the economy is still difficult for them, they have adjusted by reducing headcount; their challenge now is coming from the government. Funny, these are the people that opened my eyes to the real problems in this country.

We sit and listen to Betty McCollum and Obama talk about jobs and how things are improving, but they are wrong, and don't have a clue; the unemployment rate is still rising! Betty never worked in a small business; she was a manager at Sears, and a teacher. Obama, well, you know, he was a community organizer. With this limited understanding of the real world, how do we expect them to come up with a solution?

Betty, where are the jobs? You say you stand by Obama 100%, so it can be assumed that whatever Kenya's Village Idiot thinks is good, you will go along with it, like his new idea for another stimulus package this week; which he is calling an "infrastructure upgrade". Betty, you don't understand small business, but you do understand the unions and SEIU. Gee, last month you touted another $26 billion stimulus specifically for the Teachers Unions!!!

BETTY MCCOLLUM, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA? I asked your office about keeping Bush's tax cuts, and they said you were against them! These are the tax cuts that go to the people that create the jobs in Minnesota and America Betty! This is where your Socialist beliefs shine through; spread the wealth to those who didn't make good decisions!

Betty, you only talk to the people that give you money (deep pocketed liberals and unions). You haven't held a townhall to talk to your constituents; the people that work at, and own small businesses. One can take away Betty that you are anti small business! What else are we to conclude? You hide in Washington, you don't hold townhalls and you refuse to debate Teresa Collett!

Below are letters that were sent to this blog on SMB job creation:

Another Atlas Shrugs - Small Business Owners Chime In

In response to Small Businesses are Not Hiring - Should They? I received a couple emails worth sharing. The CEO of a healthcare consulting company writes ....

Hello Mish

You ran a series of articles on small businesses, hiring and expansions. I thought I would add to it.

I run a small firm, with about 45 employees and 40 contractors. We have been growing pretty well, close to 80% topline numbers for the past 3 years. Our average salary is over $100,000. We have some innovative software we sell to the industry. We also offer operational improvement strategies and IT consulting.

We provide great healthcare insurance coverage to our employees. It is necessary in order to attract talent and I am in the talent business. Our healthcare costs went up 90% this year – and that is on a 6-figure number to begin with. We found only one insurer willing to provide us coverage, United Healthcare.

Every other provider pulled out of our segment of the small business market. Cigna, our prior carrier, refused to renew at the last minute on a technicality despite being our carrier for the past 3 years.

Our management team’s focus for two weeks was seriously diverted as we dealt with the consequences of this. Had we lost coverage altogether, we would have been out of business as our employees would go elsewhere.

Our staff is young and healthy, by and large. Average age is early 30s, in the healthcare consulting, software and technology industry. Only in a severely government distorted marketplace can a firm with a young and healthy staff that has had coverage for years face insurers pulling out or demanding a 90% hike.

We had plans to add one person to our R&D staff, a low 6-figure salary. That was shelved because of healthcare costs. Our software development cycle is slowed as a result.

How has the healthcare bill helped the economy? In this case, not one bit. And everyone of my employees has been hurt, because we switched mid-year, those who were part way into their deductible have to start all over again. That is a few 1000s for a number of employees. Because of a bill that passed that cost us money, and most of our employees money. No one is happy with this.

I have additional areas I would like to invest in. Areas that involve productivity gains, not just taking share from someone else, and not just for us. Many of the things I would like to do would reduce costs for my customers and build efficiencies in the healthcare industry as well.

One of our software products reduces the cost of clinical trials, and has saved millions of dollars in better planning. Another model we have developed reduces the cost of carrying inventory for bio/agritech firms. I believe it is the best in the world, developed by a Ph.D. out of Carnegie Mellon. It saves millions a year for large companies (Monsanto, Bayer Crop Science, etc. type of companies).

Productivity is the wealth of a nation.

However, thanks to Obama administration policies, we are pissing our edge away on dumb stuff which makes us hesitate to invest more. Thanks a lot, Congress.

The state government, California, (surprise, surprise, surprise) has intimated our customers. Several large companies are withholding taxes from our payments in case we need to pay sales tax on our services. We don’t. It is our responsibility to pay sales taxes under our contract anyway.

What can I do? Sue my customer?

How in the heck in this environment can a business owner feel good, create jobs, and expand?

It's no wonder small businesses are in a sour mood. I have so many other stories from other small business owners that I know. The theme is the same. We are all up against overseas competition, against taxes, against the government, against societal acrimony.

Many of my business executive associates are looking to cash out if they could find a buyer at a decent price. As my friend, a former mid-size credit union COO and small business owner, says whenever one of the “good guys” – people who understand how to start businesses that are productive - throws in the towel and cashes in … “Another Atlas shrugs.”

The business climate is freaking insane. I don’t blame the insurers too much. It takes a government to make a market this screwed up.

Thanks to you and others, I pay more attention to Washington, D.C. and state legislatures. I also call to protest and give money to fiscal conservative candidates.

Unfortunately this takes time away from my business. But do I have a choice?

Unions get to pay people full-time to lobby on their behalf. Me? I work long weeks. I feel bad for my family if I don’t spend more time with them, but I cheat my son if I don’t fight for a better world for him.

As always, your coverage of all topics, including public sector unions, is wonderful, a great service, and greatly appreciated. You have an impact on us who don’t have time to do this on our own, but care about our society and want to contribute. I have given to so many individual campaigns and efforts around the country this year, more than the rest of my years combined. You are making a difference, thanks.

"Healthcare CEO"

Nursery Wholesaler Chimes In

David, a nursery wholesaler in Oregon writes ...

Hello Mish

We are not hiring either, why should we?

My wife and I own a small wholesale nursery in Oregon. Nurseries were shining star of agriculture in Oregon and elsewhere for the last @ 20+ years.

The contraction is causing sales to drop industry wide. A few nurseries have gone bankrupt in the last year. One bankruptcy auction netted the owner $.07 on the dollar. The bank may now need to take the land to pay the debt. You want to talk about striking fear into the nursery industry? Well $.07 cents on the dollar will certainly do it!

Others who are still hanging on have watched their sales drop up to 80% from the peak. Yes 80%! No new houses = no new yard and street landscaping, plain and simple.

Competition is fierce as everybody is trying to unload plants before they are too big and must be thrown out or must be planted into a larger container (more expense). Why put more money into something that may not sell anyway?

Our sales are down about 30% from last year. We are selling some plants that would have sold 2 years ago prior to the debt crunch. Overcapacity is everywhere in our industry, prices are dropping to move material instead of dumping it out which is a total loss.

Here is the first rule in small business: Everyone else gets paid first and you get what is left over. I'm not surprised the State of Oregon is having increasing budget problems, I think we will see another downward revision in the state budget in next couple of months.

Sincerely,

David

For more of the problems facing Oregon and other highly unionized states, please see Dysfunctional Oregon

Thanks for sharing David, "Healthcare Consultant CEO".

Addendum:

Frustrated in Phoenix, owner of a design firm writes ...

Hi Mish,

I started a mechanical design firm 25 years ago. I worked out of my house at first. Then I rented office space as work came in. I hired employees. I paid them decent wages and gave them reasonable benefits.

Now, I don't have employees anymore. I contract out everything. I have no choice. I make more money per job now than ever.

Health care insurance broke the bank. The health care 'reform' that has been enacted is an insult to business owners and hard working, non-union employees.

Whether you are on the left or the right of this issue, you have been sold out to the insurance industry. Add up social security withholding, medicare, unemployment insurance, state and federal income taxes, and the result is 35 to 40 percent of payroll goes for taxes. Add to that the cost of health insurance and we're talking about 50% of payroll going out the door, not invested in R&D, equipment, advertising, employee training, new software, etc, etc. Out the door....gone.

I'm doing much better thank you now that I work from home. I don't have a payroll, and I don't have insurance.

Frustrated in Phoenix

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

__________________________________________________________________________

I hope these letters mean something to you Betty. This is the kind of things I hear during the day! Betty, you have lost touch with reality, and only care about re-election and campaign donations; it is time for you to go!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Teresa Collett's New Radio Ad (Betty McCollum must go)

2010-09-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

Teresa Collett releases new radio ad!

You can listen to the ad by clicking the link below.

Listen to the Radio Ad Now

Share on Facebook

Teresa is the complete opposite of Betty (who was a former teacher and worked in retail). Teresa is a practicing attorney that has argued in front of the Supreme Court and Law professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School (if Betty is an intellectual lightweight, Teresa is an intellectual powerhouse). You can get your Teresa yard signs here.

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Stop the "Spending" Betty McCollum!!!

2010-09-02T23:16:00.001-05:00

I found this letter to the editor in the Shoreview paper. People are getting the message that Betty likes to spend! As people dig deeper, they will also realize Betty is not an "intellectual powerhouse".

Stop the spending

Tom Kangas

SHOREVIEW — Our 4th District Rep. Betty McCollum just keeps on signing any bill that Pelosi and Obama present. Her "aye" vote digs our taxpayer, massive “black hole” deeper! Spending Betty has to be eliminated! Vote for Teresa Collett! Teresa will read the bills!

In August, Betty voted to spend another $26 billion! California will receive $2.5 billion of it. I ask, why do Minnesotans have to bail out poorly managed states that cannot balance their own budgets? And what will Minnesotans receive out of the $26 billion? Hardly anything worth mentioning; just call Betty and ask! 651-224 -9191.

Obama signed this bill in the White House Rose Garden, flanked by supposed laid-off teachers. One of the teachers, a Shannon Lewis, was laid off "because of an enrollment decline at Hampshire High School in West Virginia,” the Charleston Daily Mail reported. The question is: How many other teachers are there who, like Lewis, lost their jobs, not because of low tax revenues, but simply because they were not needed, and will be paid ... for what? Wow, just think if all the private, non-union unemployed could receive their regular salary! Betty, what about these laid-off constituents? Will you pay them too?

Here is a bell-ringer! Public school employment, the Cato Institute reported in its @Liberty blog, has increased 10 times faster than public school enrollment since 1970 — and the result has been stagnant test scores! Just look at our recent Mounds View No. 621 failures! Eight Mounds View No. 621 schools failed to meet federal No Child Left Behind standards under the guidance of Superintendent Dan Hoverman, ever since he took the job! What a dismal performance! He would have been “canned” in the private sector! And, our school board gave him a raise! Lordy, Lordy!

In the first six months of this year, the Minnesota Teachers Union President must have run hundreds of TV ads promoting himself. He was on practically every day, on every channel. What a way to spend those hard-earned dues of most of the hard-working teachers.

Remember to eliminate spending Betty McCollum this November by voting for Teresa Collett! Teresa will read the bills!
__________________________________________________________________________________

It is the yeoman's efforts by the pissed off constituents of MNCD4 that will help unseat Brainless Betty McCollum. If you are on Twitter follow StPaulCD4Voter and myself MadVoterInMN. There are many others that help out by retweeting the message about Betty! There is even a Facebook page dedicated to getting rid of Betty McCollum http://www.facebook.com/dumpbettymccollum?ref=ts.

A month ago I decided to even go further to get the message out about Betty. I added it to my vehicle (if you look close enough, even the birds don't like Betty, as one crapped on her name)!

It's amazing the responses I get. The first time someone honked, I almost gave them the bird, but realized they were giving me a thumbs up!!! Everyday I get some response; in fact just tonight, a guy in the car next to me at a stop light rolled down his window and yelled, "I like your message, Betty is an idiot". Another notable encounter was on 94 in St. Paul last weekend when 2 women on a Harley gave me a thumbs up. And a couple weeks ago StPaulCD4Voter spotted me at a stoplight in St. Paul and we had a good laugh. FYI, I live in the southern part of Betty's district, but I do try and go drive through the St. Paul neighborhoods a couple times a week when I am out at meetings; you know, spread the love and message!

You can also help by supporting Teresa Collett! Teresa is a the complete opposite of Betty (who was a former teacher and worked in retail). Teresa is a practicing attorney that has argued in front of the Supreme Court and Law professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School (if Betty is an intellectual lightweight, Teresa is an intellectual powerhouse). You can get your Teresa yard signs here.

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps. From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports Hamas and is anti-Israel. Or just ask yourself what has Betty done for MNCD4?

Unbelievable Behind the Scenes Video from Betty McCollum's Campaign Office!!!

2010-08-23T23:16:00.002-05:00

Here we have it; this video explains why MNCD4 hasn't seen Betty McCollum, and why she isn't holding townhalls! It might also explain why Betty hasn't yet agreed to debate Teresa Collett. Again, the constituents of MNCD4 ask "Where is Betty"?

Then again, we know she will get harder questions from her constituents than she got from Esme Murphy on WCCO. Is she hiding because she doesn't want to have to answer these questions?

Where are the jobs?
Why do you keep spending and adding to the National Debt?
No more bailouts!
You are on the budget committee, why didn't you pass a budget?
If you don't have a budget, how do you control spending?
Obamacare is a failure!
Why won't you secure our borders?
Why do you blame Bush?
Why don't you want to extend Bush's tax cuts?
Why do you believe Keynes is right when it was decided 30+ years ago that Keynes is a failed economic model?

It is well known that Betty isn't a mental giant, and that she struggles with questions in front of crowds, so she avoids situations she can't control, and where she may get questions that cause her to think beyond the stock Democrat answers (ie. jobs saved or created, it is all Bush's fault etc...) It is no wonder that she has only debated 2 times in her 10 years in Congress.

Here you go, the behind the scenes video from Betty's campaign office...

Betty McCollum Screwed St. Paul and America

2010-08-23T01:19:00.000-05:00

Yep, she did. Well, not totally by herself, but she did by supporting every piece of legislation Barack Hussein Obama and Nancy Pelosi wanted. The Democrat's controlled Congress the last 2 years of Bush, so for the last 4 years they have controlled the purse strings.

Let's forget about the last 4 years; let's just focus on the last 18 months that Barry Hussein has been in office. Since then Betty has supported Obamacare, the auto bailouts, failed stimulus plans, financial reform (soon to be failures), ignoring Freddie and Fannie and increased unemployment/more failed stimulus.

Let's look at each area (referenced from WND):

Stimulus spending bill: $862 billion

This was a deceptive bill. It was supposed to keep unemployment below 8 percent and create jobs. It did not. Instead, the administration concocted a "saved jobs" concept to help disguise the deception. Gross domestic product growth is still sluggish, and unemployment has remained high at 9.5 percent. Businesses are in a state of "survive" rather than a growth mode because of all the uncertainties created by the administration and Congress. Even though the stimulus bill has not worked, the administration, Betty McCollum and Congress keep spending and plan on raising taxes.

Jobs

In February ’09, VP Biden Claims Stimulus “Literally Drop-Kicks Us Out Of This Recession,” Will “Create 3.5 Million Jobs” By August 2010
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: In “18 Months” The Stimulus Will “Create 3.5 Million Jobs … Literally Drop-Kicks Us Out Of This Recession.” “This is a monumental project, but I think it's doable. As you said, we got to stay on top of it and we got to stay on top of it on a weekly basis, because this is about getting this out and spent in 18 months to create 3.5 million jobs and to set -- tee this up so the rest of the good work that's being done here literally drop-kicks us out of this recession and we begin to grow again -- begin to grow again.” (Vice President Biden, Remarks At Recovery Plan Implementation Meeting, The White House, 2/25/09)

The Stimulus Bill Was Signed 18 Months Ago, On February 17, 2009. (H.R.1, “American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009,” Signed 2/17/09)

18 Months Later…

3,307,000 Jobs Lost February, 2009 – July, 2010
(U.S. Dept. Of Labor, “Employment, Hour, And Earnings From The Current Employment Statistics Survey (National),” Accessed 8/16/10)

Unemployment Rate: 9.5%
(“The Unemployment Situation – July 2010,” Bureau Of Labor Statistics, 8/6/10)

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: “In My Wildest Dreams, I Never Thought It Would Work This Well.”(“Biden On Stimulus: ‘Never Thought It Would Work This Well,’” The Wall Street Journal, 9/24/09)

Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus package has failed to live up to the lofty expectations and predictions of the administration, and has failed to create the amount of jobs necessary to significantly reduce the unemployment rate.
Indeed, they have done little more than generate an unsustainable national debt, which now exceeds $13 trillion.
The net result of Obama’s failed policies is that consumers are reluctant to spend, entrepreneurs are reluctant to invest, and employers are reluctant to hire to the degree necessary to spur economic growth.

Yeah Joe and Betty, it has worked out well; I can't wait for this summer of recovery to be over, as it means we will be closer to November!

Annual deficits
The largest annual deficit for President George Bush was during his last year in office ($455 billion in fiscal year 2008). The annual deficits under President Obama's first two years of fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010 were $1.7 trillion and $1.6 trillion, respectively. This is why the national debt is growing so fast. Obama said in December 2008: "Deficits don't matter." They do matter to the American people and the future of this country.

National debt is nearly $14 trillion
Nearly $4 trillion has been added to the national debt since Obama took office less than two years ago with a Democrat-controlled Congress. This is in contrast to the $4 trillion added to the national debt during eight years of the Bush administration. The Congressional Budget Office and others have warned that this is unsustainable, but the president and the Democrats continue to ignore these warnings.

And Betty McCollum keeps spending;

Another $26.1 billion

Speaker Pelosi called members of Congress back from August recess to pass this "emergency" jobs bill. Approximately $16 billion went to the states that had done the worst job of managing their Medicaid program, and $10 billion were targeted to save teacher jobs. Right! One caller last week appropriately called it a "snow jobs" bill.

The political arrogance, waste of taxpayers' money and abuse of power by this administration and Congress has been unprecedented. If people remember in November, we can make an unprecedented change of control in Congress.

2 weeks ago she was proud to spend another $26 billion to save the jobs of teachers. I am not against teachers, I just don't believe it will make a difference. Here is what Betty had to say:

"This is a jobs bill that will keep 161,000 teachers - including 2,800 Minnesota jobs - in the classroom rather than in the unemployment line," said Congresswoman McCollum. "This is a bill that prevents thousands of first-responders who are protecting our communities today from losing their jobs tomorrow."

That is great Betty, you bought a union by increasing our debt, but stole from the poor by taking $12 billion from the foodstamp program!!! I am sure the needy understand, in the meantime, their kids go to school hungry!!!

Financial-deform legislation

This legislation is another unnecessary new bureaucracy created by the same two members of Congress (Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Barney Frank) who chaired congressional committees that allowed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to fail. Their failure was the catalyst for the financial meltdown of 2008 and 2009. Get this! The new legislation excludes Fannie and Freddie from oversight by the newly created bureaucracy. Fannie Mae is now seeking a second bailout of $1.5 billion after 12 straight quarters of losses, and Freddie Mac is asking for $1.8 billion of additional bailout money.

Health-care deform legislation: $1 trillion

The president and the Democrat-controlled Congress passed this legislation against the will of the majority of the American people. Currently, an even larger majority of Americans want this legislation repealed and the president and Congress continue to ignore their wishes. And more insulting, Democrats voting for the legislation did not read it. Speaker Pelosi even said "We must pass it so we can then tell you what's in it."

Betty is as responsible as Barry Hussein and Pelosi for the increased National Debt and lack of jobs. She repeats the same sorry line as Barry and Pelosi; "We have saved or created XXX # of jobs". Really? I talk to SMB manufacturers and distributors every day, and they are terrified about what is happening. My business discussions turn political because these business owners don't know what to do! Do they invest, hire, borrow or save? They don't know, because there is always a new piece of legislation that is talked about, not to mention the Bush tax cuts; will they happen or not?

The problem with Betty McCollum is she has no original ideas; personally, I don't think she has the intellectual capacity to have an original idea. Before you say it isn't all Betty's fault, understand that Betty McCollum votes strictly along party lines at the rate of 98.4%. So yes, when Betty has stood alongside Kenya's village idiot and Pelosi for every single vote, she is responsible. Is Betty good for St. Paul? No. How has she helped St. Paul?

You can read my other posts about how she is anti-Jewish and supports Hamas, denies God, votes against the Pledge of Allegiance and in 2008 said Voter Fraud isn't a problem, yet it was during that election.

Betty, we can't wait to see you gone, along with the rest of the clowns that created this mess; only 39 seats to take Pelosi's gavel away. We will remember in November!

Comments From a Page About Betty McCollum (Where are your supporters?)

2010-08-20T00:26:00.000-05:00

Shout out to MadVoterInMN's army; thanks to Captain T, he forwarded me this nice little site tonight filled with almost 400 comments about Betty. Funny thing is, comments for Betty are as hard to find as Betty in MNCD4! Keep up the fight soldier!!! Here is the site...

http://www.topix.com/forum/us-house/betty-mccollum/TA45AU2628BMLNO2K

I am just sharing the ones that have content more than Betty rocks (brain dead liberal) or Betty Sucks (duh, no kidding). Besides, I have found that most liberals can't spell (see below)...

Sandy wrote:
Go Betty. Tea partiers are just full of hate and selfishness.
McCullum is decent and will win again.
She has done a good job for the 4th district and the state.
See Betty McCullum for Congress. Betty cares about people.

Wanting a good sound sound balanced budget and fiscal policy and for my children and all the children in this country to be able to achieve their dreams without being saddled with insurmountable debt and intrusive government intervention and the selling of our sovereignty to foreign nations and standing up for the constitution is selfish? What's selfish is Betty McCullum only thinking of one side of the issue when a fair amount of people in her district don't agree with her. She only represents one side of the political spectrum and ignores and patronizes those that disagree with her, leaving us out in the cold. Also if she does such a great job for the 4th district, I challenge you to list her congressional accomplishments.

All the Republican candidate has to do is get her to debate. She is without a doubt the dumbest member of congress you have ever seen talk. Those of you who seen her debate the last time at Hamline University know what I mean.

Also, when was the last time you seen her here, or on TV? There's a reason for that.

It'd sure be nice to get someone in her seat who's not totally out of touch with ordinary average Minnesota citizens.

I have never participated in any political campaig, but what Betty and the Dems are doing is finally getting me motivated. I will do all I can to make sure she no longer represents my district. She most certainly does not represent me.

i see that betty really cares a lot--------- look at her career at the nsp schoolboard-- -- it doesnt make any difference because she cares more--- good luck she knew exactly what she was doing--- hanging out with bruce vento before he died-- nothing more than a social engineering liberal [socialist] just look at her voting record-- shes been on a mission for years

At least Betty slammed Franken for his pornography writing and views. I would still like to hear from her why she refused to say "Under God" when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Betty is qualified for the dem party. She dislikes america, does not use the word "god" in the pledge of allegiance. Her views are alingned w/ Rev Wright

I hope the 4th District can get some much needed change. McCullum is bad for Minnesota. She is more of the Obama status quo.

Just look at the Statistics in the 4th District.
Crime/Welfare/Highschool Drop-out rate/sex offenses/drugs.
We know why Betty McCollum is popular.
The Opposite of a Teabagger is a "Free Loader"

Betty start packing you bags! I have never worked actively worked in a campaign until now. I'm strongly leaning towards supporting Teresa Collett for Congress.

Now that ACORN is under so much scrutiny -- perhaps it will be harder to cheat in the next election.

McCollum is nothing more then obamas lap dog who looks at her constituants with disdain and thinks it drops herself a level to listen to us.
She needs to go she has done nothing but help increase the deficit by voting with obama and has done nothing to help create jobs.

McCollum never does what the people want, but only votes the way upper Dem leadership tells her to vote. We've got to get her out of office. You'd agree that she really is a lightweight if you ever witnessed any of her previous debates. Somehow she continued to get voted in.

Sandy wrote:
Go Betty. Tea partiers are just full of hate and selfishness.
McCullum is decent and will win again.
She has done a good job for the 4th district and the state.
See Betty McCullum for Congress. Betty cares about people.
Really? other than supporting everything the Democratic leadership has told her to support, and oppose everything her leadership tells her to oppose, what significant piece of legislation has she sponsored? She is a yes person, similar to Karth and Vento.
I attended a town meeting not to long ago and the woman refused to answer a single question as it related to the costs of the recently passed Health Care bill.
She is looking out for herself, and no one else, a typiclal politician.

GOOD BYE BETTY, GET OUT, WE CAN'T STAND TO LOOK AT YOUR UGLY PUSS ANYMORE. WHO NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT THE TERRORISTS, WHEN WE HAVE THE LIKES OF YOU HERE TO DESTROY US!

McColumn just knocked herself out of her seat!

Republicans don't need to lift a hand other than running someone as smart as a mentally challenged rock.

Real Clear Politics vs Mccullum

RCP: What are your thoughts on the “deem and pass” controversy?

McCollum: This is rules. And we have rules that have been used in this institution for hundreds of years. We have rules that both sides use. This is typical politics. When you think you might not get the vote, you want to change the rules. The Republicans want to change the rules.

RCP: Why doesn't the House just pass the Senate bill and send that to the White House?

McCollum: Trust me, no matter which of the different procedures that are available, at some point the Senate bill is in front of us. I don't think for a minute – for a minute!– that I'm not going to have an opponent that says I somehow didn't vote for the Senate bill. Of course they're going to say we voted for the Senate bill. The Senate bill is part of the reconciliation process, absolutely. Not one thinks that a fast one – I haven't spoken to one Democrat that doesn't think that they aren't going to get accused of voting for the Senate bill because it's part of the package.

Mccullum Deem and pass has been hundreds of years?

Thats what she said. NO SPIN THERE.

PELOSI DECLARES ALL POSSIBLE VETTING HAS BEEN DONE

Whoops!

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS FOR KIDS NOT COVERED.

DID YOU READ THE BILL MCCULLUM? Or did you say,
"Whatever you want Mr. Obama" and click your heals together and salute.

She is a committed liberal with views about america like Rev Wright.

She does not use the word "God" in the pledge of allegiance

Anyone who voted for Obamacare might as well not run in November! Betraying the trust of the voters is not going to get you reelected.

What has she done? Other than vote for what Nancy Pelosi tells her too. Seriously. What major legislation has she authroed? She's in the majority party, she's got no excuse for getting nothing of her own done.

Tim wrote:
No Sandy. Betty has not done a good job.
She votes almost exclusively along part lines.
Refuses to fill out questionnaires on hot button topics.
She is a lapdog for women’s rights.
Sees no end to the amount of money she wants to throw into liberal causes.
Was elected for no other reason than she is a Democrat.
Ran a ridiculous ad about guns in schools when she first ran.
Told me how unhappy she was with the amount of pay she was getting in the legislature.
She’s in the dough now though, not to mention all the other perks.
Go onto one of the voter education sites and read about Betty and read some of the transcripts from the record. She’s right there when you want to name a bridge or rename a post office. But she’s the mortal enemy of both Law Abiding and Hard Working Americans!
Thanks Tim, you hit the nail on the head. Betty has no idea of what REAL folks are looking for and need. She is one of the most self serving persons in a line up of taking credit for things and spending tax payer dollars. Every letter that I have written to her she replies and tosses in her own kind who are not the general voters she is suppose to represent. She has no realization of what she votes for. When asked about her voting for raising taxes on cigarettes she bragged about it as the tax would go for insuring more children without a hint of who would pay those taxes to keep the insurance on those children when they finally bankrupt the smoking industry. It's past the time to replace people who vote in things like this. Betty has been on a flying carpet for years and it's time to take that luxury away from her and put someone in office that is going to help us all instead of themselves and to hell with the people overall.

Betty is from North Saint Paul and people I talk to indicate she has damaged her reputation enough to make it difficult to win this fall.

About the only way for her to win is if the Republicans don't run anyone against her.

Agree with you on one thing though.... "Go Betty Go"... some place other then DC

Did you know:

The most recent 6 pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep McCollum do little to advocate for Minnesota:

7/23/2009 H.RES.499 : Congratulating University of St. Thomas Tommies baseball team;
9/24/2009 H.RES.771 : Supporting goals & ideals of a Nat’l Mesothelioma Awareness Day;
10/1/2009 H.R.3701 : Establish the More Books for Africa Program;
10/23/2009 H.R.3679 : Prohibit Federal Gov’t from awarding contracts, grants, or other agreements to …companies guilty of certain felony convictions;
1/26/2010 H.RES.990 : Express support for designation of Jan. 2010 as “National Mentoring Month”;
2/23/2010 H.R.4475 : Amend sections …of Am. Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 to reserve funds .for Indian children.

Additionally, she is a co-sponsor of H.R.4130 to impose a temporary income-based surtax beginning after 2010 on the net income tax liability of individual taxpayers, trusts, estates, & corporations to cover federal expenditures for the war in Afghanistan.

After ten years on the job, is it an unrealistic expectation that our Congresswoman be a leader to spear-head renewable energy initiatives, to actively propose ideas for getting American workers back to work, to champion initiatives for increased transparency & openness in government? Shouldn’t we expect more than authoring a resolution establishing Jan. as mentor month?

Betty McCollum is an avowed Marxist, rubber stamp for Obama and Nancy Pelosi. She must be defeated in November. An intellectual lightweight, she refuses to debate her Repbulican challenger Teresa Collett -- who as a constitutional law professor is eminantly more qualified.

Even though she represents St. Paul, which has a very large Jewish population, she is anti Israel and pro Hamas.

Even though she proclaims to be Catholic, she is divorced, pro abortion, anti marriage and even denied God when she led Congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, "forgetting" to say "Under God."

Even though rampant voter fraud was found in her district in the 2008 election, she denies that we have a voter fraud problem in Ramsey County!

The voters of MN CD 4 can do better. But we have to mobilize.

Join the Dump Betty McCollum FB page here http://bit.ly/bOWzUw .
Read more about Betty and her exploits in Congress at the MNCD4 needs change blog: http://bit.ly/aNeQtX

I can't add much more than what StPaulCD4Voter wrote, other than ask yourself is what Betty doing for our district good for us? Is voting 98% along party lines good? Is increasing the national debt $5 trillion in 2 1/2 years good for our kids?

Voting for failed stimulus, TARP, Obamacare, not finishing a budget (Betty McCollum is on the budget committee), Financial reform (notice the additional charges from the bank to have a line of credit, that is financial reform folks, banks are passing costs on to us); this is all part of the $5 trillion.

When was the last time Betty McCollum held a townhall? Talked to her constituents? Her challenger, Teresa Collett has asked Betty to debate 4 times before the election, and Betty hasn't responded. She is hiding, and it is unfair to the constituents of MNCD4; it is our seat, not Betty's, and we deserve to hear Betty speak and hear her views(though my understanding is after hearing her speak, you will feel dumber for having listened to her). How does Betty McCollum know what is going on in the district if she won't face her constituents?

What I find disturbing is Betty McCollum leading Congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, and omitting God. What an embarrassment to our district that our representative would put her beliefs before Congress like that. View the video here.

http://mncdneedschange.blogspot.com/2010/07/v...

Betty McCollum Has Ignored Teresa Collett's Debate Challenge

2010-08-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

Well Betty, it has been over a week since you were challenged by Teresa Collett to 4 debates, and your constituents still haven't heard from you. Nine days ago, I wrote about the challenge, and we are still waiting. It isn't your seat Betty, it is ours. If you aren't up to the debate, just say so. At least say something, instead of hiding. Yes or no, are both mono-syllabic words Betty. Even an intellectual lightweight can manage that. As Meatloaf sang in "Paradise By the Dashboard lights", What's it going to be Yes or No? Betty McCollum, your constituents are waiting.

Disclaimer - Not me in the video!!!

Betty McCollum, Congress's Intellectual Leader, Says Voter Fraud Isn't a Problem

2010-08-18T00:41:00.001-05:00

Thanks go out to another MN CD 4 voter for sending this to me. The Mad Voter Army is growing; if you have a tip on Betty McCollum that you think I should write about, please contact me.

This video is from a debate during the 2008 election when Betty ran against Ed Mathews.

Betty is asked if she "Would support a national law that requires voters to prove their US citizenship to vote". As you saw with her answer, they know Betty at her polling place. I find this oxymoronic since Betty is never in Minnesota, and we can't find her with a search party; secondly, OF COURSE they know you, you are a member of Congress!!!

See what we are working with here in St. Paul? Betty struggled with answering this question. It wasn't that hard of a question (future post coming on another topic that challenged Betty), but you can really see her working hard to get that hamster to spool up the energy in her head. Betty then delivers some nonsensical answer without even answering the question (and the audiences laughter at Betty and her facial reaction is priceless). I guess you could say she answered it through her denial of voter fraud.

I would love to see her debate Teresa Collett, but seeing Betty's challenge answering this simple question (this is the first time I have ever seen her debate) makes me doubt that Betty will accept Teresa's challenge to 4 debates. If you would like to see Betty debate Teresa Collett, please sign the petition here.

Betty, when I voted for Teresa Collett in last week's primary at my Inver Grove Heights polling station, they didn't remember me from when I voted for John McCain in 2008. I was pissed! I had to wait while they looked up my name, people were looking at me; it was embarassing! To help them out, I gave them my drivers license so they could look up my name; it worked pretty slick, and it only took a second.

Funny that Betty would say that voter fraud isn't an issue; she is an ACORN supporter, and voted against defunding ACORN. Remember, ACORN has been implicated in heavy voter fraud that favors the democrats. This was also the battle between Norm Coleman and the comedian Al Franken, which was decided by 344 votes! There is so much concern with voter fraud in Betty's district that Rep. Darrell Issa sent Secretary of State Mark Ritchie a letter regarding voter fraud in Betty's district.

Interestingly this took place in the 2008 election cycle, and what was revealed in June in a report done by Minnesota Majority? Voter fraud in Minnesota; namely in Betty's district.

Betty, the people working in the polling stations don't know everyone that comes to vote, and to ensure a fair election, we should prove our residency! As usual, you are out of touch with your constituents, as reflected by them laughing at you and your answer.

Again Betty, you have proven you aren't intellectualy qualified for the job you hold, and that you are in over your head. The people of MN CD 4 are on to you, and we can't wait to vote you out!

McCollum advances in Minn.'s 4th District | StarTribune.com

2010-08-11T10:02:00.001-05:00

McCollum advances in Minn.'s 4th District | StarTribune.com

Well Betty moves on, but go figure, Diana Longrie didn't run a campaign. So, Betty, take Teresa up on her challenge to debate, your constituents deserve it. So as a tribute, here are comments about Betty, from the Red Star Tribune, and non-supporting Betty (these are from the day after the primary).

Betty McCollum Is Stealing Our Money

Hopefully MNCD4 is waking up; this woman is the perfect example of taxation without representation! In 10 years, she has introduced 41 bills, and only 1 passed! The bill that passed? It was the renaming of the post office in New Brighton! Are you serious? She counts her accomplishments, which are really Nancy Pelosi's (if you can call them accomplishments; I call them screwing the taxpayers); Obamacare, multiple bailouts and stimulus. Betty is a hypocrite; she calls out Bush to talk to congress because they deserve it; well Betty won't even talk to her constituents with a townhall. She is also anti-Israel, voting for mutliple bills supporting Hamas. Is she anti-american? Well, she led congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, and she intentionally left out "under God". What? She is a Roman Catholic!!! Do a search for "betty mccollum" "omits under god", and you will see for yourself. Now Teresa Collett has challenged Betty; will she accept the challenge? MNCD4, Betty needs to go.

posted by exafsp on Aug. 11, 10 at 9:57 AM |

Bye Bye Betty!

What has Betty McCollum done in 10 years in office? Nothing other than being Nancy Pelosi's gopher gal; a rubber stamp for ObamaCare and the failed "stimulus" that has bankrupted our kids and grandkids. She's best known for omitting "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance when whe said it before Congress! It's time the voters of MN CD4 see what an airhead she really is. Rep Betty McCollum please accept Teresa Collett's challenge to have 4 debates between now and Nov. 2. MN CD4 voters deserve to hear the visions of the two candidates running to represent them in Washington.

posted by spcd4voter on Aug. 11, 10 at 9:31 AM |

Vote Betty...OUT!

Although there are so, so many richly deserving candidates for this distinction, if there's one member of Congress that really needs to be voted out in November, Betty "Do Nothing" McCollum needs to be on the short list for that. She has got her district either snowed or asleep for too many years and has done nothing to earn her keep. Seriously, can you think of anything she's done besides being a Nancy Pelosi clone? Here's hoping she gets caught in the tsunami that will be this year's midterm elections.

posted by noneof on Aug. 11, 10 at 12:20 AM |

viceroy712

In addition to Betty's voting records, I would have added that she is AFRAID to publicly debate, because everyone will see her for the vacuous airhead that she really is.

posted by noneof on Aug. 11, 10 at 12:05 AM |

Dear Betty

Well it looks like you want to become a career politician. Running for yet another term proves it. And it looks like your on your way back. Im wondering Betty, if many of those people that will vote for you in Nov. could see your voting records and do you think they would vote for you at all even if they did? Well Betty I could think of some issues that will bring you down and those who put you there will be the one's insisting you be remove by the end of your next term. Betty there is place any more for career politicians..

Teresa Collett Challenges Betty McCollum to 4 Debates!!!

2010-08-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

Betty McCollum, you have been called out by Teresa Collett!!! Are you up to the challenge, or are you going to hide in Washington? Your constituents deserve to hear you debate your challenger so we can make an informed decision. Put your big girl clothes on, and debate Teresa. This is part of the political process Betty, and you OWE it to your constituents. This is our seat, not yours. You also OWE us townhalls, but you don't do those.

If you want to see Betty debate Teresa, sign the petition here.

Here is Teresa's message to Betty:

Dear Congresswoman McCollum:

Congratulations on winning your primary in the Democratic Party. As your Republican opponent, I am formally challenging you to publicly debate me six times during the upcoming weeks until the general election on November 2. Voters in Minnesota s 4th Congressional District deserve to see the candidates for U.S. House of Representatives debate their ideas for addressing the issues facing our nation. With national unemployment continuing to hover around 9.5% and our national debt approaching unsustainable levels, Minnesotans are looking for realistic answers to our problems. Voters deserve the opportunity to see and hear our competing views on the growth and direction of the federal government. Political debates are a time-honored way of enabling the American people to choose their leaders wisely, allowing them to hear firsthand what each candidate proposes and why. Refusing to debate suggests contempt for the voters and a sense of entitlement to public office. The seat you currently hold in the United States House of Representatives is the people s seat, and they have a right to know what they can expect from the person who holds it. I look forward to your agreement to engage in debates.

Sincerely, Teresa Collett