While Tony is correct that both union PACs and the Klodts contributed to City Council and Park Board campaigns, the similarities stop there. Before awarding PAC contributions to candidates, unions typically require completion of an exhaustive questionnaire and an in-person interview -- all with the intent of assuring that candidates share similar political beliefs and goals as the endorsing union membership. The same cannot be said of Klodt and its contractors.
As a matter of fact, the Klodts, and many of the individuals employed by Klodt contractors (who contributed the bulk of Colvin Roy's campaign receipts), strongly support politicians and political interests that sharply conflict with the DFL and labor. Paul and Kevin Klodt, as well as individuals employed by Klodt contractors (from Colvin Roy's contributor list), made at least twenty contributions to Republican candidates and interests between 2001 and 2004. The amount reported contributed during this period totaled $ 7,975.00. GOP recipients of this largesse included Pawlenty for Governor Committee, Norm Coleman's Senate Commitee, as well as the campaign funds of George W. Bush, Gil Gutknecht and John Kline. This information is available online at www.cfbreport.state.mn.us, as well as www.opensecrets.org. At the state and national level, companies working to influence government for the purpose of increasing their own profits tend to favor Republicans while union PACs favor Democrats. However, in Minneapolis, where Republican elected officials are as scarce as hen's teeth, these private interests put their money on the sure things -- the incumbents. Why would suburban Republican developers/contractors be giving money to Colvin Roy (a Minneapolis DFLer)? Answer this question and you begin to understand the issue. What is important is that we learn from our recent experiences and that we look to the future as a city. We need to carefully consider campaign finance reform, whether that includes public financing, or a host of more modest revisions such as revised reporting requirements or improved accessibility to campaign finance information. We have lots of work to do and we need to talk openly and honestly about our electoral process. Sonja Dahl Standish-Ericsson REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
