Tuesday,  November 23, 2004

 

more photos from No Thanksgiving

press release

We are here, in front of the Governor’s mansion at Thanksgiving time to say NO THANKS to Pawlenty’s attacks on poor and working Minnesotans.  With the recent election, and the stunning defeat of 13 House Republican seats, it is clear that Minnesotans have rejected the Pawlenty and Republican budget cuts that are devastating poor, working, disabled and elderly Minnesotans.  Minnesotans have sent a strong message of “NO THANKS” to Pawlenty’s “no tax” agenda, that protects the richest in this state at the expense of the poorest! 

 

In the last budget year, Pawlenty and House Republicans carried out an anti-poor, anti-worker, racist, sexist agenda that resulted in the wholesale slaughter of Minnesota health care and welfare programs.  A $4.5 billion dollar deficit was balanced on the backs of poor and working Minnesotans!  Minnesota schools, libraries, towns, and public services have suffered massive cuts. Minnesota workers are told to bear the pain and pay with layoffs, wage cuts and increased health care costs!  Pawlenty, claiming to be the “no tax” governor, in his latest outright racist move, wants to rob Indian nations of 25% of their casino earnings, which is way more “tax” than any corporation pays.  Meanwhile, the richest in Minnesota have been enjoying tax givebacks of enormous proportions!  

 

The time of luxurious gifts to the rich at the expense of the rest of Minnesota must come to an end!  Why should we be stressed over where our next meal will come from, while the rich are wondering when they can buy their next diamond necklace? Minnesotans across this state have said ENOUGH is ENOUGH !  The upcoming legislative session is a new budget year, and a $1 billion dollar deficit is projected yet again.  This year the Governor must listen to the people of Minnesota! We say TAX the RICH!  If the state has money problems, go to the people who have the money, not those of us who have none!

 

This year at the state Capitol we will again be working on legislation to undo the worst cuts to welfare and health care by closing corporate tax loopholes. 

WE are here to tell Pawlenty that he needs to STOP protecting the RICHEST in this state and start to be the governor of ALL Minnesotans.  WE say NO Thanks to Give-Aways to the Rich!  We say NO Thanks to corporate tax loopholes!  We say NO Thanks to cuts to health care and welfare!  We say NO Thanks to job cuts, layoffs and wage cuts!  We say NO Thanks to attacks on the poor!