Myths & Ideology Undermine Business

Who figured voters would have a pro-business DFLer on the ballot in the Second District?  Incumbent John Kline's got to be worried, because as I pointed out back in early July, former State Rep. Shelley Madore is just that.

Shelley's winning message for the primary was wrapped up in her "35 Cent Tour" highlighting that the imbalance of federal tax dollars is undermining job creation and business investment, the facts tell the tale. While the state averages 77 cents back for every dollar we spend in federal taxes, the Second is only getting back 35 cents - which moves the burden for key projects in the community onto other revenue sources, such as property taxes.

Among the myths about John Kline is that Republican ideology has just got to be good for the business climate here by favoring lower taxes and fighting pork.  Here's the thing:

In "How does Minnesota stack up in business taxation? Pretty well, it turns out" by Sharon Schmickle yesterday at minnpost the facts and figures indicate our effective tax rates for businesses are somewhat less than Wisconsin, Iowa, or South Dakota, and substantially less - approaching HALF - the effective rate in North Dakota.

Factor in that North Dakota's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country right now.

I'm not about to tell you that there's no waste in government spending. There's waste in virtually every business, too, and controlling it is essential to efficiency and - ultimately - success.

But if lowering taxes and keeping federal dollars out of the state or the District is the secret to creating jobs, why have 10,900 manufacturing jobs moved from the Second District to China?  That's the worst record for any Congressional District in the state.  Our population is growing, but we're shedding jobs on John Kline's watch, and he's not doing anything but throwing political double-talk at the problem.

And if sounding reasonable meant a Representative was good for the District, Kline would be just fine: his rhetoric is polished, and persuasive. But the fact is he's quietly voting for his ideological theory, not the people of the Second District.