Our state constitution gives us self-government.  We are citizens, not subjects. Self-government is something we should value, but it requires effort and discipline on the part of the citizens.

…eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. – Andrew Jackson

This session, the DFL is in full control, and the taxes, regulations, fees, and intrusions are coming fast and furious. “Bright lines” and legal stability are out.  We don’t know what will be passed, but it looks to me like the Rule of Law is not a guiding principle of governance this session.  (Phil Krinkie outlines some of the more egregious bills that look like they will be passed this session in this posting.)  A key concept with the DFL is clearly control.

You can’t control anything without controlling people – Ronald Reagan

And control is what we have.  We have a bill that dictates that employers provide more time off.  We have regulations on how a day care provider can lay a child down to sleep.  We have legislation that will force hospitals to report to the state their nurse staffing.  We have a new “exchange” (HIX) that will give enormous power over all things medicine in Minnesota.  We have more energy mandates, and more fees on the water you drink.  The list goes on, and on.

If it moves, tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  If it stops moving, subsidize it. – Ronald Reagan

In the name of balancing the budget and closing a $600 million deficit, the DFL is raising taxes by $1.8 billion.  Tax hikes include beer and cigarettes, income taxes and services.  I’m not even sure about my numbers, because as far as I can tell, this does not include the many new fees – on insurance, licenses ,cell phones…..  Some say the total increase in taxes and fees might be as much as $3 billion.  Those who think that this will only affect “the rich” have a capacity for self-delusion beyond my understanding.  (..and that is only if they don’t move to Florida)

Self-government requires that changes in law are openly debated, and the legislative process give adequate time to allow objections to be aired and addressed.  Average citizens should be able to follow the legislative session and be reasonably informed about legislation he may not like.

That’s not what we have in Minnesota. There is a blizzard of legislation being considered in St. Paul this session, very little of it comporting with self-government or the Rule of Law.  There are bailouts, tax hikes, changes in liability law, proposals to change the definition of marriage, boondoggles, and threats to the integrity of voting.  There are literally hundreds of bills being considered, and the average citizen has little hope of following it all, much less participating in the process.  The DFL has the majority, and is in a mad rush to pass all their pet proposals while they can.

To add insult to injury, there is a proposal to give the legislators a pay raise.

Our reps have been writing patch blogs touting their work in St. Paul.  While I appreciate and applaud this communication, I would be happier if they detailed the substantial costs along with the supposed benefits.  It is easy to spend other people’s money.  It is easy to force businesses to give benefits that they have to pay for.  Politicians always flock around the ribbon cutting when state money flows, but are nowhere to be found when a large company closes its doors or moves to a lower-tax location because it’s taxed and regulated to death.

It’s time to pay attention.  Someone will pay for all this largesse, and its not “the rich”.