Fighting for Marriage -- 1 man 1 woman on May 13, 2013

Spent the day between 11 and 3:30 mostly standing on Capitol steps, sometimes in the rain,  holding Vote NO signs that Don Dickerson gave me. 

First the positive.  Met some wonderful people.  One was a dignified well-spoken black lady from St. Louis.  She had come to stand with us for marriage and live her faith.  She had recently traveled to Delaware and Rhode Island for the same reason.  Despite the uphill battle we were facing she was cheery and positive.  She had the kind of courage that gives others courage.  I will always remember her.  The saints do walk among us.

At one point a parent asked me to go help someone on our side being badgered.  She said they were even attacking kids so she took her kids and left.   I tried to enter a conversation with one of the badgerers but she would not talk to me.  A couple of Christians were there and patiently let her talk.
Nearby another clever gay marriage proponent was quoting the bible,  but a sharp Christian lady brought up Revelations on her digital phone.  The passage that says "... they shall be as fools."  Shot down the clever one I thought.

As usual, our side was well behaved. The other side not so much.  Some insults were sent my way, and a "shame on you!"   The other side really believed that we were horrible discriminators and haters.  One snied guy said he'd been discriminated against since he was young and was glad this bill was "in your face!" 

The other side kept up a steady drumming so that the event sounded like a pagan ritual.  Many of them smoked cigarettes and other things I did not recognize.  No one was going to reason with these people.

Some on our side spoke of the real consequences of passage.  Some said they would have to leave the state.  Some said they would die rather than submit.  Some were willing to go to jail to support traditional marriage, even risk being accused of discrimination or hate crimes for their views.  Some said small businesses like flower shops and cake shops would be targeted if they refused business to gay couples.  An amendment to protect them had failed.

For me, gay marriage will always be an absurdity under Natural Law and God's Law.

The legislation passed in the Senate 37 - 30.  Lucifer is laughing.

One other quick note.  The St. Louis lady pointed out that a small group of black legislators in the Illinois House are the ones preventing gay marriage there.  I'll pray for them.

Why is it the left opposed Voter ID?

I think the answer is pretty obvious...

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=gh5pe6jab&v=0012Q4V8GYbFiSNIaHKhoirivhniJtXm4x4kqhxgSLejPRodzmtD8eJ17mlfGEwEwtonWXLLI_Usxqk58OazhxsBOTU1nr7h8MYu8WCeq24B56Mx-SVSz1bAw%3D%3D

This is admittedly anecdotal, but seems to be yet another coincidence that somehow always seems to go in the left's favor.

Also consider that the current occupant of the White House won the popular vote by about 2 million votes. But I'm sure that none of the 20 million or so illegal aliens estimated to be in the country either did not vote or voted for Romney...

Please vote for Gina Bauman for District 41 Senate

As this election draws to a close, the occasional should of, would of, could of, runs through my mind, but one thing I do know is that I enjoyed knocking the thousands of doors, and meeting many kind people in the district. As a candidate it is all about going out to meet the people at their doors to introduce yourself, listen to their concerns, and sometimes try to convince them that you are not like "all the others", but instead truly wish to serve in order to make that difference.

It seems we are told every election year that THIS is the most important election of our life time – well this time it REALLY IS! As I have seen walking throughout the district the empty houses, the people out of work, and being told of their struggles of trying keep their home, I believe more than ever that elected officials on all levels of government need to be more aware of how they affect and impact the lives of all of us as they make decisions when they vote. Whenever I have voted as a New Brighton city council member, I have always understood that I am a representative of the people - not of government - and will continue to do so as your senator.

By now most of you have made up your mind on who you will vote for, but to those who are still vacillating, I am asking you to consider the vast differences between my opponent and me. (Please visit my website at http://ginabauman.com).

Unlike my opponent, I do not believe we need to pass more legislation that would give government the right to be in our lives 24/7. (Remember we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July – not Dependence Day.) I pledge to not be an election year senator, and I will be conscientious and hardworking while representing all of the people in District 41.

I am calling out to you - in New Brighton, St. Anthony, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, and Precinct 2 in Spring Lake Park, please go and vote for me, Gina Bauman, on November 6th so you can have a senator with leadership and vision towards a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.

Six Facts You Need to Know About Connie Bernardy

Dale Helm, the GOP HD41A candidate for Minnesota House, points out six things the Connie Bernardy campaign is either hiding from or downplaying to the electorate in his post at the Fridley Patch. Dale pretty much lays it out in simple terms and I don't have anything to add other than my recommendation that you check it out before making your decision.

http://fridley.patch.com/announcements/6-facts-you-need-to-know-about-connie-bernardy

As in the senate contest, this district has been under DFL control for several years to the detriment of the people. Dale Helm will be an excellent representative if we have the good sense to elect him to the office.

Gina Bauman vs Barb Goodwin - Miscellaneous Considerations Before Voting

In the prior posts of this series I have presented a summary of the reasons that support the fact Gina Bauman is by far the superior choice to represent SD41 in the Minnesota Senate. In doing so I touched on some of the more dominant issues in play, but there are other issues and factors that deserve your consideration.

Voter ID
Gina Bauman believes that it is a fundamental right have our vote count equally and not be canceled out by ineligible voters. This is why she is a strong supporter of the Voter ID Amendment. While implementation of the amendment will not cure all of the problems it will drastically shut down one of the easiest accesses to voter fraud (multiple voting in different polling places simply by having someone, who could easily be a political activist or operative, vouch for the voter). Many of the same people who are vehemently opposed to this simple and fair safeguard of one of our fundamental rights have had no problem enacting laws to require ID to purchase over-the-counter items, get a library card, dispose of grass clippings, access government programs, etc.

This is a curiously hot-button issue for Barb Goodwin. She has on several public occasions vociferously denied that voter fraud exists in Minnesota in spite of the nation-leading number of convictions and the growing mountain of evidence that we have a real problem. She has been one of the most vocal and aggressive opponents of even allowing the people to vote on the matter and actively supported Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s totally inappropriate attempts to stop the measure or cause confusion by voters through a convoluted rewording of the ballot question.

Goodwin angrily dismisses the suggestion that apparent cases of voter fraud has favored her party - she wouldn’t even discuss the matter when I brought it up at one of her town hall meetings. She has also made the ridiculous claims that the measure constitutes a poll tax (to her credit, this is the first time I can remember her coming out against any tax, even a ficticious one) and that an ID requirement will disenfranchise minorities, the poor, the elderly, etc. She conveniently ignores the fact that quite the opposite has occurred in states where voter id was implemented and people came out to vote once they had at least some assurance their vote would be accurately counted.

I also find it interesting that Goodwin made a considerable effort to poll her constituents to build political cover for her waffling and eventual controversial vote for the Vikings stadium but did not appear to make any effort to check with her constituents regarding voter id even though many independent polls and studies suggest a majority approval across the state.

Gun Rights
Gina Bauman, an NRA member and Minnesota Concealed Carry holder, supports your 2nd Amendment rights to buy, sell, and posses firearms for any lawful purpose without bureaucratic red tape and increased costs. Gina has earned an NRA rating of "AQ", the highest rating for a person who has not yet held the office she is seeking.

Barb Goodwin has earned an NRA rating of "F", the lowest rating assigned to public office holders (after talking to her at public events I believe she has only a vague awareness of which end of the barrel the bullet exits). She earned her dismal rating with a legislative history of opposing or obstructing legislation intended to enhance or further protect gun owner rights and supporting legislation that eroded these rights. She also has been an advocate for "animal rights" groups and causes that often try to put undue restrictions on hunting and sports use of firearms. As with many issues, it is clear that Goodwin will vote to protect our gun rights only to the extent that the DFL leadership so decrees, and the record of the DFL on this issue has not been good.

Suitability and Temperament for the Job
This is probably the most intangible factor of those I have looked at, yet is one of the most important. Our senator must be able to come up with her positions on complex issues after listening to and taking into account the sometimes conflicting views of her constituents and then articulately and effectively advance them through the legislative process. This is an area in which Gina Bauman excels and Barb Goodwin falls short.

In her seven years on the New Brighton City Council Gina has had to deal with many difficult and potentially divisive issues and in doing so has earned the respect of most of her constituents, whether or not they fully agreed on her stand on particular issues. Gina has done this by seeking out common goals within issues even if there is not initial concensus on how best to achieve the goals. Once goals are identified she is very good at promoting and defending her views on the means to achieve them while engaging in often passionate but respectful debate with her colleagues. She has been on the winning side as well as the losing side of 4-1 or 3-2 votes but always voted on principle and clearly articulated why she voted as she did. Over time most of the commonly agreed on goals were implemented and resulted in better city government and lower taxes.

Through her actions and demeanor Gina has gained the respect and the trust of most of her constituents, even those that vehemently disagree with her on particular issues or general political beliefs. Gina can and does vigorously fight for her position but always remains respectful of those who disagree with her. She clearly articulates her positions in a strong manner as a result of doing her "homework" and enters discussions armed with facts and supporting evidence. This is an important quality for an elected official. It is difficult for a legislator to be an effective advocate for the people they represent if they do not have the respect of their colleagues, the people they represent, and a good command of the facts supporting their position.

Barb Goodwin has not been an effective representative of the people of her district and has frequently been a source of embarrassment. Based on her performance in candidate forums and town hall meetings, I do not get the impression she has deep knowledge of or or has done her homework regarding even simple issues. When confronted with a question she doesn’t know how to, or would rather not, answer she invariably either reverts to the standard DFL talking points or attempts to belittle the questioner.

It is apparent that Senator Goodwin has anger management issues, especially when it comes to people who disagree with her or question her actions. As a long time conservative active in local conservative politics, as well as Gina Bauman’s Campaign Chair, it is well known that I disagree with Senator Goodwin on most issues and have expressed my views on this blog and in the local media. After the LWV candidate forum, Goodwin approached me and started angrily ranting about my published letters to the editors in some local newspapers. When I asked what specific problems she had with my views she just uttered an angry insult and walked away. This is no way to treat a constituent, regardless of whether of not they agree with you.  This was not an isolated incident as I have heard about, as well as have witnessed, similar behavior towards others at town hall meetings and other public events.

Her angry demeanor also showed itself in the candidate forums during this campaign. Watch some of these on cable or the internet and note how even on what some of us conservatives would consider softball questions she begins by relatively calmly stating her position but often builds up to an angry rant that frequently blames the Pawlenty Administration, the Tea Party (she has a real disdain for these good folks) and the GOP in general for legislative results that did not go her party's way.

In Conclusion:
Our country and our state have been through some hard times over the last few years, much of it brought on by the actions and inaction of politicians that put party over the people and political power over good policy. Here in SD41, our current senator clearly is not up to the job and has become a parody of all that a politician should not be. She simply has not earned a return to office and has represented the district and constituents in ways that warrant her ouster.

Gina Bauman has a public service record of respectfully listening to and effectively advocating for her constituents. She will bring long absent integrity, dignity, and respect to our district as well as effectively represent our interests over those of any political party or special interest groups.

I urge you spread the word to those who do not pay attention to political details to check out the records and qualifications of the candidates and make an informed decision on election day and join me in voting for Gina Bauman as our new senator for SD41.

Gina Bauman vs Barb Goodwin on the Issues - Life and Family

Issue: Life and Family For those of us who believe in the protection of human life and the preservation of traditional values there is a distinct difference between the candidates.
Gina Bauman	Barb Goodwin
Gina is strongly and proudly pro-life. She acknowledges that until Roe vs Wade is overturned state government cannot prevent abortions, but there is a lot it can do to discourage them and stop the promotion and taxpayer funding. Supports the protection of traditional marriage.	Clear record of a pro-abortion stand. Endorsed by pro-abortion groups such as NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Fought against the protection of marriage amendment and actively mocked pro-traditional marriage supporters on the floor or the Minnesota Senate by actually introducing an amendment to prohibit divorce. She even demanded and got two role call votes that were, other than her votes, unanimously rejected by the rest of the committee (which included some very liberal and gay-issue proponents). See the video at http://youtu.be/m3C56zpMd2Q.

For those of us who believe that it is the duty of government to protect innocent life and traditional values Gina Bauman is the only choice here. Not only has Barb Goodwin embarrassed our district with her on-floor antics in the State Senate, she also has a history of supporting the most radical pro-abortion groups and positions.

Goodwin's downright condescending attitude toward the pro-life, family values, and faith communities goes far beyond civil political disagreement and is downright appalling. To see more of this for yourself, check out an extended one-on-one interview she did with the group "Atheists for Human Rights". You can view the video at http://www.atheistvoices.com/pages/goodwin.html. Warning: If you are a Christian (especially a Catholic) or supporter of pro-life organizations (especially the MCCL) you should rightfully be offended.

If you don’t have the time or find the video to be too much, you can view a complete transcript courtesy of Mr. Dilattante (a very talented writer and blogger) at http://www.mrdilettantealley.blogspot.com/2010/10/transcript-of-barb-goodwins-appearance.html.

Gina Bauman vs Barb Goodwin on the Issues - Health Care

Issue: Health Care Health care costs continue to rise at a much higher pace than general inflation. If nothing is done the situation will only worsen, especially with the looming imposition of Obamacare and the associated tax increases and mandates that will inevitably lead to rationing and a sharp decline in the quality of care.
Gina Bauman	Barb Goodwin
Recognizes that we have the best health care in the world and that the problem is one of insurance and finance rather than availability. A primary reason that health care costs have increased at a far higher rate than general inflation is government interference in the free market and provisions in the tax code that discourage privatized portable coverage. Supports market oriented means of lowering health care costs by cutting the excessive regulation of health insurers and health care providers that are primarily driven by social engineering and have driven competitive pricing out of the health care marketplace. Opposes Governor Dayton’s attempt to establish an Obamacare health care exchange without the consent of the legislature and opposes the forced imposition of Obamacare on Minnesotans.	Has publicly stated that health care in the United States is not as good as many other places in the world. Supports Governor Dayton’s attempt to establish an Obamacare health care exchange without the consent of the legislature and favors the forced imposition of Obamacare on Minnesotans. Stated at a New Brighton candidate’s forum that society should be working toward a government mandated, single payer universal health care system.

This is a critical issue on several levels. If Barb Goodwin achieves her stated goal of a government run single payer health care system (which realistically is also the ultimate goal of Obamacare) not only will the availability and quality of care decline - our privacy, personal liberty, and economic well being will also be very negatively impacted.
There are extremely few, if any, things government does that is done as well or as efficiently as the private sector. Do we really want the government in control of our health care? As far as I'm concerned Goodwin's stand on this issue alone is more than enough to disqualify her from consideration.