23 February 2008
10.01 hours

Governor Tim Pawlenty
State Capitol
St. Paul, MN 55155-0001

Dear Governor Pawlenty:

IN YOUR RECENT VETO OF BADLY-NEEDED LEGISLATION to revamp the transportation network in Minnesota, you claim such was necessary to "protect the good taxpayers" of Minnesota--even with a deteriorating infrastructure of roads, bridges and transportation which was made all the more evident when the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis collapsed on 1 August.

As if that weren't enough, your very Department of Transportation has found serious deficencies in a number of bridges across Minnesota, the most blatant example being the US 61 bridge over the Mississippi @ Hastings--the busiest two-lane bridge in Minnesota, know--which has a deteriorating superstructure that's so bad, a 40-ton limit will likely be imposed on same. Until it collapses.

Once that happens, Governor Pawlenty--what will be your next patsy?

After all, you have this nasty little reputation for being a Zealot and True Believer (hard-wired, even) in the discredited socioeconomic theorem known as "supply-side" or "trickle-down," which suggests that, by keeping taxes all the lower, companies would be compelled solely from the goodness of their hearts to create REAL jobs for REAL people paying REAL money which, in turn, would be repayable as REAL taxes.

Not to mention the interrelated belief, perhaps based on the same flawed exponential maths used by those promoting the so-called "five reports" chain letters a few years back, which suggests that low taxes=jobs=socioeconomic stability--articles of faith held dear by the likes of pro-business groups such as the American Enterprise Institute, the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation and (all the more so) the so-called "Club For Growth," among others on K Street.

Of particular concern is the likelihood of your agenda and policies being influenced--perhaps even manipulated--by the Club For Growth, perhaps the most blatant advocate of such platitudes you hold dear. Come to think of it: 

• How do we know that your agenda, and those influencing same through the old whispering-in-the-ear game, isn't really being influenced by the Club For Growth or advisors working in their behalf (perhaps even in the guise of the "Taxpayers' League of Minnesota")?
• How do we know that your "real" agenda for repairing the transportation infrastructure based on keeping taxes all the lower isn't really based on "public-private partnerships" awarded more than likely to major campaign contributors expecting reward for Good and Loyal Service? Isn't this what they used to call "the spoils system"? What would be your preferred defence therefor?
• Are you not (un)consciously (un)aware of the clear and present danger such a mindset based on equally-defective and even discredited socioeconomic thought could pose upon the good name and repute of Our Beloved Minnesota, as manifested in the likes of:
• corruption;
• fraud and waste;
• inefficency;
• increased bureauracy;
• risk of mismanagement;
• discouraging transparency and oversight; and
• potential moral harm among all involved?
• What kind of influence, "talking points," "guidance," etc., are you receiving from the Club For Growth when it comes to such policies you hold dear as articles of faith?
• How do we know you're not resorting to, or likely to resort to, misadventures tending to moral debauchery or perversion (including use of sexual favours, heterosexual and/or homosexual) as an agency of coercion or co-optation? What lengths will you resort to to avoid attracting scandal as could cause moral harm to Our Beloved Minnesota as much as yourself as a byproduct of said misadventures?
• Is your real desire in keeping the fuel tax, etc., all the lower "to protect the good taxpayers" really nothing short of code to encourage wasteful and inefficent driving and commuting practices translating into more frequent fill-ups @ gas stations (the argument here, so to speak, being that more frequent gas sales will translate into increased tax volume while maintaining current tax rates)?

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AND ANOTHER THING OR TWO:

What would be your reaction if it just so happens that the major credit-rating agencies of Moody's, Standard & Poor's, Dun & Bradstreet and Duff & Phelps place all State of Minnesota debt securities and equities On Credit Watch because of your misguided Zealotry and True Belief in "supply-side" socioeconomic thought--with a subtle warning that they could reduce your state's bond rating dangerously close to "junk" status in the end?

And what will it take to convince you to consciously recognise that, sometimes, tax increases, no matter how severe you may deem them, may be all the more necessary to finance reconstructive efforts on the transportaion network--another high-traffic bridge collapse with substantial casualties? A significant and measurable traffic jam (with substantial tailbacking) on one of the Twin Cities' major freeways, with substantial waste of fuel, ensuing air pollution and frayed nerves?

And what prevents your acknowledging the involvement (howbeit subtle) of potentially weird, unwholesome and/or dangerous elements in excusing your discredited low taxes=jobs=socioeconomic stability argument and agenda, unaware all the while of the possible consequences far-reaching for Minnesota's good name, repute, honour and credit rating--consequences which can easily be exploited by Very Dangerous Persons and Elements of Society for potentially dangerous ends?

How do we know that you're not insane or otherwise mentally unstable?

How do we know that you're not an alcoholic, drug addict or sexual fiend?

How do we know that you're not suffering from such conditions as could affect your capacity to capably discharge the powers and duties of your office, as defined in the Minnesota Constitution?

Have you forgotten that the Legislature could have you removed from office for not just "treason, felony or other high crimes and misdemeanors," but also for incapacity to discharge the powers and duties entrusted you? Likewise with the voters, through the agency of a recall election?

Remember the old saying: "Nero fiddled while Rome burned." (If truth be known, it was more than likely that the Emperor Nero played the lyre while the Eternal City was going down in flame.)

  sincerely,
ILUDIUM PHOSDEX
(die egte artikel--aanvaar geen plaasvervangers)

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MEMO TO READERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE RESIDENT IN MINNESOTA: You are strongly urged to share this with not only Governor Pawlenty's office, but also with members of the Minnesota Legislature. Make sure they "get the message" that "we're as mad as h***, and we're not going to take it anymore," and then some.

Remember: "There is strength in numbers."