John Kline was conspicuously absent from the VFW in Cannon Falls last night, skipping the chance to address veterans face-fo-face at the Goodhue County United Veterans Organizations "Candidate's Forum." My theory is that he didn't want to have to explain the disconnect between his rhetoric and his votes.
Why would a former Marine officer serving in Congress not vote to support funding for Veterans Affairs? I don't know; you'll have to ask him yourself, but since action speaks louder than words maybe you already know enough about how little he cares for the honest, working Minnesotans in his adopted District.
Kline's opponent, former State Rep. Shelley Madore was certainly there, joining candidates at all levels from Governor through county offices to meet with vets and their families and talk about needs and priorities. Her record in the Minnesota House shows a dedication to Veterans that you might expect Kline to want to counter for such an audience, considering either his startling votes on spending for Veterans Affairs or the fact Madore's "35 Cent Tour" is gaining traction with the media and the voters.
Republicans, following President Bush's lead, led this country into an economic quagmire pursuing wars of choice while protecting big banks and special interests, but that's no reason for Kline to dodge his military family constituents. Leaders get out and talk to voters, and if necessary explain why they made bad decisions, but Kline evidently lacks the commitment to the veterans in the district to face those tough questions.
True leaders don't sit back and spout ideology when the chips are down, they roll up their sleeves and take ownership of the challenges and problems. They lead by example, not by talking points. The men and women who put on this country's uniform deserve the respect of all of us, but a former officer couldn't be bothered to attend their forum?
The November election will be a choice between a marine officer who voted against defense department funding and now deliberately dodges veterans and a former legislator who's visiting every community in the district at every opportunity to make sure her constituents know how hard she works.
The choice for voters is increasingly clear: Kline's content to sit at home, while Shelly Madore continues to show she'll do more.
Why would a former Marine officer serving in Congress not vote to support funding for Veterans Affairs? I don't know; you'll have to ask him yourself, but since action speaks louder than words maybe you already know enough about how little he cares for the honest, working Minnesotans in his adopted District.
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| Former MN Representative Shelley Madore: Cannon Falls VFW Goodhue county United Veterans Organization Candidate Forum |
Republicans, following President Bush's lead, led this country into an economic quagmire pursuing wars of choice while protecting big banks and special interests, but that's no reason for Kline to dodge his military family constituents. Leaders get out and talk to voters, and if necessary explain why they made bad decisions, but Kline evidently lacks the commitment to the veterans in the district to face those tough questions.
True leaders don't sit back and spout ideology when the chips are down, they roll up their sleeves and take ownership of the challenges and problems. They lead by example, not by talking points. The men and women who put on this country's uniform deserve the respect of all of us, but a former officer couldn't be bothered to attend their forum?
The November election will be a choice between a marine officer who voted against defense department funding and now deliberately dodges veterans and a former legislator who's visiting every community in the district at every opportunity to make sure her constituents know how hard she works.
The choice for voters is increasingly clear: Kline's content to sit at home, while Shelly Madore continues to show she'll do more.
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