Rep. Kline Upset With Using Democracy For Workers

Representative John Kline (R-MN) has been an out-spoken opponent of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Kline has framed this issue as one of protecting us from tyrannies that use secret ballots. “There are sacred principles that epitomize American democracy,” wrote Rep. John Kline (R-MN), attacking EFCA. He's even gone so far as to introduce a 'secret ballot protection act'. Yet now that the National Mediation Board (NMB) is proposing a rule change to the Railway Labor Act (RLA) to make elections more democratic, John Kline has decided democracy isn't all it's cracked up to be...

The AFL-CIO has petitioned for change that could possibly have a big impact on companies with non-union workers. The proposed change would overturn an old rule in place for decades (1934) that counts those employees not voting in union elections as “no” votes. Under the new proposal, those who don't vote would simply not be counted at all...just like in any other official election in America...Can't get more democratic then that!

Rep. John Kline issued a release that called it a radical proposal that adds “to a troubling perception that federal agencies have embraced a culture of union favoritism.” Hmm...interesting take...so if we extend that to CD2 voters, then can we say...everyone who doesn't vote is a 'no' vote for Kline...if that's the case my wish has come true! Really that's radical...not the notion of counting only those that cast votes.

By his stance on this issue, Kline shows us that it's not really democracy he's supporting (can you say union-busting?). All along John Kline has asked that voting being more democratic, but now that Kline has an opportunity to support a truly democratic voting method, he opposes it.

The proposed rule change doesn't count a vote for one side or another when it's not cast. This rule change will go a long way to help Americans revive the economy and rebuild the middle class, by empowering workers to bargain for better wages and benefits. But it would seem that instead of democracy, John Kline shows us he supports greedy CEOs and anti-union front groups while tearing down those would want to bargain fairly for better wages.

A Penny for Kline’s Thoughts

How Representative John Kline makes decisions:

War Heads: Must do it now…fast, hurry up, no time to waste, don’t think about it, now is the time for action…

“The failure to take action sends a loud and clear statement to the world about America's commitment -- or lack thereof …”

Health Tails: Stop, Slow down, push the reset button, let’s rethink this, please start over, don’t be rash…

“It’s not too late to start over. It’s not too late to do better,”

John Kline's Fabrications

Congressman John Kline, like many other GOP fear mongers, likes to promote fear and distrust of government among his constituents. Just like the GOP talking heads Russ Limbaugh and Chris Baker, Rep. Kline is willing to ‘spin the truth’ and yes…dare I say, lie, in promoting fear if it will get people to support or oppose legislation.

During last month's staged public forum where all the powerpoint slides were queued up by his staff in order of the ‘random’ questioned asked, Kline on several occasions told the audience they should be ‘afraid of the Democrat Health Care Reform’ and incited them to be ‘afraid’ of the out of control government. Although in defense of Kline, this is a new stance for him. John Kline was AWOL on the issue of out of control government the whole eight years prior during the Bush Administration in which Kline supported Bush 97% of the time!

John Kline's latest ‘spin’ is fabricated to crush the hate crime legislation. Kline charges that even to speak about being opposed to a sexual preference at church would make it a crime under the new bill. But unless Kline is totally ignorant of the law (always a possibility), then he knows as well as everyone else that his claim is totally false. Brian Moulton, chief legislative counsel for the Human Rights Coalition, said this language makes "exceedingly clear" that the kind of thing talked about by Kline, Pence and others is "just not possible under this legislation."

So why would Kline be oppose to this legislation? Partisan Politics? Always a possibility with Kline as he always puts politics before people! Or perhaps he's a racist? Certainly his staffer who yelled ethnic slurs is a racist and still on Kline's staff!

During the Bush year, we’ve all learn to take the oppose of what was said to us as the truth (Operation Enduring Freedom, Blue Skies Initative)…now we need to do the same under Kline's rule…Read about the details here at PolitiFact.com

Kline Seeks Incentives for Underperforming Teachers

Rep. John Kline(MN-CD2) believes that teachers aren't doing thier jobs well. So he introduced a bill that would establish a Teacher Incentive Fund. The bill, which Kline introduced Wednesday with Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., would provide seed money for states and schools to reward teachers for improving student academic achievement, according to a statement released by the House Education and Labor Committee. His bill is grounded in the faulty reasoning that teachers are underperforming now and therefore will do better if they have an incentive.

Most teachers would like and are entitled to more pay for the important responsiblity of education our children. In Minnesota on average teachers make $45,000 a year, so obiviously they didn't get into teaching for the pay! But Kline's Bill implies that more money would make teachers better performers which would mean they aren't performing now!

Most of us have had teachers that made a real difference in our lives. They encouraged us to learn, provided us with knowledge, resources, inspiration, and a life long love of education. But under Kline's Bill how would this be measured and quanified? Besides insulting teachers, with this bill Kline wants to introduce another "Leave no child behind' bill that is problematic because incentives can't effectively be measured.

It's more of the same we've come to expect from Kline...lack of vision but plawenty of grandstanding...

Kline's Sickness

Rep John Kline's health care report is getting a second opinion being by the Alliance for A Better Minnesota where they show Kline:

• Votes against health care for children
• Opposes the public option
• And has taken big bucks from the health industry to be their lackey.

What they forget to mention is Kline receives really great health care...provided by the government-tax payers. In addition, up to 75% of his premiums are subsided while ours keep going up....

What's not to understand, Kline receives better health care provided by the government, and Kline doesn't want the rest of us to have what he has!.....did I mention that Kline receives lots of money from his friends the pirates private health care industry?

"John Kline has spent his years in Congress blocking any reform to our broken insurance system. It is clear that he'd rather keep up this sick scam than advance any real agenda. Share this information with your friends today and fight back against this sick scam, the time for real health insurance reform is now. "

'Dr. No' John Kline

Rep. John Kline is still voting NO on everything...if we followed his lead, there would be no schools, no streets to drive on, buses to ride on, air to breath, water to drink, and certainly NO Health Care!...er...well except for his tax payer -super funded- government provided health care...

"As soon as members of Congress are sworn in, they may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The program offers an assortment of health plans from which to choose, including fee-for-service, point-of-service, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In addition, Congress members can also insure their spouses and their dependents.

Not only does Congress get to choose from a wide range of plans, but there’s no waiting period. Unlike many Americans who must struggle against precondition clauses or are even denied coverage because of those preconditions, Senators and Representatives are covered no matter what - effective immediately.

And here’s the best part. The government pays up to 75 percent of the premium. That government, of course, is funded by taxpayers, the same taxpayers who often cannot afford health care themselves "

Yeah that's the ticket...Kline gets only the best government based care...meanwhile the rest of us can read his lips...NO.

Recent House Votes
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (331-83, 18 Not Voting)The House passed this bill that would extend by 13 weeks unemployment benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5%.Rep. John Kline voted NO......

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (217-190, 25 Not Voting)The House approved this $4.66 billion bill that funds the legislative branch for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill also includes a continuing resolution to fund government operations after the current fiscal year ends on September 30, as this is the only one of the 12 annual appropriations bills to have been completed.Rep. John Kline voted NO....

Rep. Kline and The Party of NO

While President Obama's characterizes of Republicans as "the party of no", we in Minnesota have learned that the 'party of no mascot' is Rep. John Kline. His voting record alone shows Kline's inability to work across party lines. So it comes as not surprise when suddenly the Rushpublican'ts decide to 'rebrand' their tarnished and whacked image.

Take note when they say "The Republican congressional leadership is also slated to travel the country and attend town-hall meetings as part of the new effort".

Does that mean we'll see John Kline in another town meeting. That would bring his attendance up to....let's see...ah yeah....two!

If this was a serious attempt then Rep. John Kline would meet with the voters in open public forums instead of controlled screened telephone meetings (which as far as I can tell has happen only once!)

Additionally, John Kline would have a voting record the shows his genuine support of long-term solutions to current problems instead of long-term complaining, partisan obstructionism and finger pointing. As an example look at his vote record from just last week where Kline voted NO on each of the following bill that passed:

Congressional Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 - Vote Passed (233-193, 7 Not Voting) The House passed the conference report for the 2010 fiscal year budget resolution.

Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - Vote Passed (249-175, 10 Not Voting)The House approved this bill that would provide local jurisdictions with funds to prosecute hate crimes.

Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (357-70, 7 Not Voting)The House passed this bill that intends to place new restrictions on credit card companies.

The Party of No and it's mascot John Kline can try and rebrand themselves is like putting lipstick on the pig...but it's still a pig...