I loved the code words! Experience in helping small businesses and bring good paying jobs to Eden Prairie? Was that when she worked for the Associated Builders and Contractors trying to break unions or was that her experience as a paid lobbyist for the debt collectors association? The triumphs and challenges of public school as a parent? What does that have to do with the funding formulas for public education?

Another GOP'er wanting to squeeze more dollars from the state budget and dumping it on the taxpayer through referendums and levies.

Just not impressed.

Jenifer Loon has a great website that answer many of these questions. You can check it out at: http://www.jeniferloon.com

Or you can catch her around town. She has had a number of public appearances, she goes door-to-door every day, and has had several open houses.

Or just e-mail her or give her a call.

About overriding the governor's veto, Jenifer did take a public stand against the override. The following is from her letter from last February:

Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure is inadequate and woefully in need of investment — a fact reinforced by numerous non-partisan studies and reports. The controversy has centered on how to craft a proposal to begin to address our transportation needs that is sensitive to the tax burden borne by citizens, particularly during tough economic times.

The DFL-crafted transportation bill that passed on February 21, 2008 contains numerous tax increases. It raises the gas tax by 5 cents a gallon in September, with an additional 3.5 cent hike to become effective until transportation bonds are retired. Those of us living in the seven county metropolitan area can be assessed a 0.25 percent sales tax increase for transit projects — no referendum required. Other counties can also increase their sales taxes for specific transportation projects — but only if citizens support such a move through a referendum. License tab fees would also be raised, and again, metro country residents may pay an extra $20 excise tax on new vehicles.

We need to address the congestion in the metro area, and make our state’s roads and bridges safe. However, I am frustrated by policies that treat Hennepin county and the western suburbs as an “ATM” for the rest of the state. Approximately 60 percent of the taxpayers impacted by the metro area sales tax increase in the bill live in Hennepin County—the same county that is at the bottom of the transportation funding distribution formula. Addressing this flawed formula to take into account highway usage was not part of the transportation package. Furthermore, it is fundamentally unfair to grant citizens outside the metro area referendum authority over a sales tax increase, while denying that right only to taxpayers residing inside the seven county metropolitan area. I oppose the transportation bill in its current form.

I'd like to offer you every opportunity to personally visit with me about the topics most important to you as you weigh the views and qualifications of the candidates in this race. Therefore, I will be hosting several "Meet the Candidate" open houses throughout the coming weeks. I hope you'll be able to stop by and visit with me about transportation and other important matters facing Eden Prairie and our state.

Thank you for your time and interest. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or to share your thoughts and opinions. I look forward to talking with you and to earning your support.

Sincerely,

Jenifer Loon
Candidate for Minnesota State Representative
District 42B
http://www.jeniferloon.com

I hope that answers your questions!

You may be also interested to know that most Minnesotans -- not just Republicans -- oppose a hike in gas taxes. According to a KSTP/Survey USA poll, most Minnesotans opposed the gas taxes and other taxes in this bill.

As you can see, at a time when most Eden Prairie families are really feeling the pinch of tighter and tighter budgets, Jenifer is the only one in this race who believes that government needs to tighten its belt as well. Jenifer -- not her tax and spend liberal opponent -- will be the clear choice to represent the views of Eden Prairie families in the legislature.

The main issue, the fact that Jenifer Loon was a professional paid lobbyist for the debt collection industry and worked to break unions had been ignored.

How does working as a lobbyist that advocated for debt collectors to be even more intrusive help us out?!

And while a person might be opposed to unions, it is quite different to actively work to break them.

Not my kind of representation.

Here is some relevant information on privatizing IRS debt collection and Jenifer Loon.
On private collection agencies collecting unpaid taxes:
http://tampabay.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=2788
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/CutYourTaxes/NewIRSTacticPriv...
2007 comments by National Taxpayer Advocate on Privatizing IRS Debt collection:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/20/pf/taxes/private_debt_collec_olson/index...
Most recent commentary on privatizing IRS debt collection:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5351530&page=1

An interesting quote from the 2006/2007 President of ACA International:
The future of our industry holds great promise as well as many challenges. Though they have been discussed many times before, I will use my last opportunity here to emphasize once again the critical importance of three key components to our industry’s continued success: Membership involvement in the politics of Washington, active state and regional units, and member commitment to higher standards of professional practices.

First, we all need to develop and maintain personal relationships with our elected representatives in Congress or we may be legislated right out of business. ACA International has many resources available to guide you through this process. All members need to support ACPAC, ACA’s political action committee, with annual contributions.
https://www.acainternational.org/collections.aspx?cid=10563

Jenifer Loon’s own words:
ACA has the opportunity to educate these new members of Congress on our industry and demonstrate that debt collection is vital to a sound economy.

Fiscal conservatives understand that everyone pays the price for uncollected debts through higher prices for goods and services. By taking the time to learn more about the governing philosophies and priorities of these new members of Congress, in addition to seeking out common ground, we can broaden our base of support across party lines.

The common sense adage that “there is no such thing as an unpaid debt” is one that defies party affiliation and embodies the reality of our financial markets and economic system.

ACA’s government affairs initiatives have grown tremendously over the past four years. By encouraging our members to be in frequent contact with their legislators, we have been able to achieve many long–sought successes for the industry. The 110th Congress will bring new challenges as we continue to work to relieve the industry of undue regulatory burdens and prevent harmful or unnecessary new proposals from being enacted.

However, while many of the players in Congress have changed, our playbook for effective grassroots action will remain largely unchanged. As always, ACA encourages industry members to meet your legislators, get to know their goals, let them know who you are as a business owner and employer in their state or district, and invite them to come and see your business. It is through these actions that relationships with elected officials are created and government affairs success is borne.
http://www.acainternational.org/collections.aspx?cid=9640

SD42, you asked for evidence from SWD. I gave it to help out. Check out the first 2 links. Both have connections to Jenifer Loon. I also thought the quotes were informative.

As far as the new Vikings stadium, Jerry Pitzrick said when we talk to the developers, we need to keep our hands on our wallets.

Ok - You can’t answer my question about paying debts. You can’t answer my question about unions. And you don’t seem to understand Pitzrick’s position on taxpayer-financed stadiums. So far, you're zero for three.

Let’s try another issue: nuclear energy.

The question was asked whether or not the candidates support lifting Minnesota’s moratorium against nuclear power. Pitzrick chose not to answer the question. Actually, to be fair, none of the candidates answered it although Shari May said something about supporting nuclear.

The moderator requested, however, that the candidates stick around after the debate so people could have the opportunity ask them questions directly. So they were each asked about the nuclear moratorium again -- here are their answers:

Do you support lifting the moratorium on nuclear energy in Minnesota?

Shari May (R-42A): YES

Jenifer Loon (R-42B): YES

Maria Ruud (D-42A): I don’t know.

Jerry Pitzrick (D-42B) -- WOOPS! Jerry didn’t answer. Jerry didn't stick around like he was asked. As soon as the debate was over, Jerry shot out the door. I guess he can’t be bothered with silly things like talking with constituents.

The truth is that Jerry Pitzrick is a fraud. He is endorsed by Clean Water Action -- ever hear of that group? It's another far-left fringe group. Let’s see . . . Jenifer's opponent is endorsed by Clean Water Action, Progressive Majority . . . are you noticing a pattern here?

His literature uses terms like "independent voice" and "non-partisan". Yeah right! Didn't anyone ever inform him that you're judged by the company you keep?

Clean Water Action vehemently opposes nuclear energy. So it is no wonder why Maria and Jerry refuse to answer this question.

Read more about last night’s League of Women Voters debate here.

WW, you may not be a nuclear expert, but you are smart and practical.
Keep writing.

Yucca Mountain has some concerns, like earthquakes and transportation of the waste through populated areas. It is, so far, the best of some not-so-great choices. People should be reassured these concerns are addressed by our government.

Shooting the waste into space worries me more than Yucca Mountain. One bad launch can spread radioactive material over a large area. It would definitely solve the storage issue, but I would want more reassurance as far as safety.

I wonder about the use of the tides or hydrogen to create energy. There needs to be more research to make them cost effective and make hydrogen use safe.

As far as the political races, good luck to you and the candidates you support. I'll keep working for my candidates.

SD42webmaster, you are right again. We need the state to build a billion dollar nuclear reactor. Never mind the deficit our state and our country faces next year. Let’s build it in Eden Prairie and boost our local economy. No one else in the state will want it because they’re all wimpy NIMBYs (Not in My Backyard). Aren’t there a few buildings in Eden Prairie you would like to see replaced with something useful? Anyone who complains about it is not supportive of economic growth in Eden Prairie or Minnesota.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: CentralLion is crazy. But consider this: a person thought of as “crazy” by some, is called a “maverick” by others.

Now, SD42webmaster doesn’t want a nuclear plant. Oh, wait, not in your backyard. But you’d be okay with building it in someone else’s backyard. Right. The state of Minnesota has a land area of 79,617 square miles. How close should a nuclear plant be to your backyard for you to be comfortable?

By the way, what does a nuclear plant cost to build? I guessed at a billion dollars, but with our economy, the need for the latest safety features, the cost for waste disposal, etc. I think it could be more than that. Where are we going to get that money? Shall we borrow it? In this economy?

No, to find some extra money, let’s close down our social services programs. Let’s end unemployment benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid. If people want handouts, they should go to churches and charities, not the government. Is this what Republicans stand for?

No -- what I said is I don't want ANY powerplant in my backyard.

Of course I don't want a nuclear plant in my backyard! Who would? And I don't want a coal plant or a wind farm or a hydroelectric plant or a factory or an ethanol plant or a light rail line or stockyard or ....

So -- unless you are willing to close ALL power plants, factories ... or anything else we don't particularly want in our backyards -- your argument doesn't really hold water.

Try again.

Obama and terrorists:
Palin Accuses Obama of 'Palling Around With Terrorists'
Sarah Palin takes a swipe at Barack Obama for his ties to Bill Ayers, founder of a 1960s radical group.
Sarah Palin, using some of her strongest language to date to question the character of the Democratic presidential nominee, accused Barack Obama on Saturday of "palling around with terrorists."

Palin, speaking at a closed fundraiser in Colorado, was referencing Obama's ties to Bill Ayers, a founder of the 1960s radical group The Weather Underground. That relationship was examined in a front-page article in The New York Times on Saturday.

"This is not a man who sees America as you see America, and as I see America," Palin said. "Our opponent, though, is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect -- imperfect enough that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country. Americans need to know this. ... I think, OK we gotta get the word out. This is in fairness to the electorate we gotta start telling people what the other side represents."

The Times article she mentioned concluded that Obama and Ayers did not appear to be close.

Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan released a statement in response accusing McCain's campaign of launching "Swiftboat-like attacks in hopes of deflecting attention from the nation's economic ills."

He said the Times article made clear that Obama and Ayers were not close, "much less 'pals'."

Ayers' group took credit for bombings, including nonfatal explosions at the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol four decades ago.

Ayers now is a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He and Obama live in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood and served together on the board of the Woods Fund, a Chicago-based charity that develops community groups to help the poor. Obama left the board in December 2002, and he has denounced Ayers' past activities.

The McCain campaign has indicated it will step up its attacks on Obama's character and judgment in the final month of campaigning.

Palin, for instance, said on Friday that some of Obama's statements on America's foreign policy should disqualify him from being president.

"Some of his comments that he has made about the war that I think may -- in my world -- disqualifies someone from consideration as the next commander in chief," Palin told FOX News. "Some of his comments about Afghanistan and what we are doing there, supposedly just air-raiding villages and killing civilians. That's reckless."

She was referring to Obama's remarks last summer about Afghanistan in which he said: "We've got to get the job done there and that requires us to have enough troops that we're not just air-raiding villages and killing civilians which is causing enormous problems there."

Republicans lashed out at him at the time, though the Associated Press published a fact-check shortly afterward that showed, by their count at the time, Western forces had killed 286 civilians in the country, compared with 231 killed by militants in 2007.

The escalated effort to question Obama's character dovetails with TV ads by outside groups questioning Obama's ties to Ayers, convicted former Obama fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko and Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

McCain adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer followed up on both of Palin's remarks Saturday, citing Obama's Afghanistan comments and ties to Ayers in questioning his judgment.

"Apparently Senator Obama has no problem associating with someone like that, and somehow thinks that this unrepentant terrorist is rehabilitated," she told FOX News.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/04/palin-accuses-obama-palling-terr...

Obama Illegal contributions?
Republicans to file complaint against Obama
GOP alleges the Democratic candidate accepted illegal contributions
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27038128/
Smells like a duck, is a duck.

WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee plans to file a fundraising complaint against Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign Monday, alleging it has accepted donations that exceed federal limits as well as illegal contributions from foreigners.

RNC officials acknowledged Sunday that they do not have a list of foreign donors to Obama's campaign. Instead, the complaint is based largely on media reports, including one from a conservative Web site.

The complaint asks the Federal Elections Commission to audit Obama's campaign fund, RNC chief counsel Sean Cairncross said in a conference call with reporters.
Story continues below ↓advertisement

Cairncross said little is known about many of Obama's donors because the campaign is not required to disclose detailed information about people who give less than $200.

The Obama campaign, which is not accepting public funds, has raised more than $468 million. About half has come from small donors, a point of pride for the Obama campaign.

The Obama campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Obama/ Rezko/Ayers/Wright
The conservative Judicial Confirmation Network is running a TV ad tying Obama to not just Rezko, but William Ayers (now using cartoons to spread his ideas) and the bombastic Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"We don't know who Barack Obama would choose" as a Supreme Court justice, the ad says, "but we know this. He chose as one of his first financial backers a slumlord now convicted on 16 counts of corruption. Obama chose as an associate a man who helped to bomb the Pentagon and said he 'didn't do enough.' And Obama chose as his pastor a man who has blamed America for the 9/11 attacks."
Tony Rezko is not your typical middle American.
He’s Antoin Rezko, Muslim from Syria.
It is positively amazing, Guiness World Record worthy to note

How many times Obama’s path has accidentally stumbled upon Muslims.
His father and stepfather.
His half sister Maya , daughter of Lolo Soetoro, Indonesian Muslim.
All his college roommates were Muslims.
Both at Columbia and at Occidental College.
The same group of Muslims shepherded Obama on his grand tour of Pakistan.
His Kenyan relatives and those he campaigned for in Kenya-Raila Odingo.
And his financial patron-Antoin Rezko.
And that’s just the Arab Muslims.
The Black Muslims are another chapter.
As are ACORN and domestic terrorists.
Watch the video here:
http://www.theodoresworld.net/archives/2008/10/ad_about_obama_rezkoayers...

THE PRO-BARACK VOTE-FRAUD DRIVE
Posted: 4:34 am
October 8, 2008

SYSTEMIC corruption of our election process continues. Barack Obama and his old friends at ACORN and Project Vote are leading the way. This radical revolution is taking place in your backyard. And as I've reported before, this voter-fraud racket is on your dime.

On Monday, the two groups announced the wrap-up of a 21-state voter-registration drive targeting low-income people and minorities in such battleground states as Ohio, Pennyslvania, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

What's wrong with that? For starters, these two groups are militantly partisan outfits purporting to engage in nonpartisan activity. And their campaign comes amid an avalanche of fresh voter-fraud allegations involving ACORN in many of those same states.

ACORN has helped register over 1.27 million people nationwide. It gets 40 percent of its revenues from the taxpayers, with the rest coming from left-wing heavyweights like billionaire George Soros and the Democracy Alliance.

Lefty lawyer Sandy Newman founded Project Vote, a 501(c)(3) organization, to register voters in welfare offices and unemployment lines with the explicit goal of turning back the Reagan revolution.

The two groups are inextricably linked - and at their nexus is Barack Obama. Despite his denials of any association with the group, Obama's political DNA is encoded with the ACORN agenda.

As I've noted previously ("ACORN: O's Ugly Ally," June 26), Obama trained ACORN members in Chicago. In turn, ACORN volunteers worked on his Illinois campaigns and ACORN's PAC endorsed him in this year's Democratic primaries back in February.

And Newman hired Obama in 1992 to lead Project Vote efforts in Illinois. The effort's motto: "It's a Power Thing." Today, the Obama campaign's "Vote for Change" registration drive is running in parallel with ACORN/Project Vote, targetting the same sorts of people.

It's an all-out scramble to scrape up every last unregistered voter sympathetic to Obama's big-government vision. "Our volume," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe bragged of the voter-registration program, "is going to be enormous."

Quantity over quality. That's the ACORN way - and the fraud allegations keep piling up:

* Yesterday, Nevada officials raided ACORN's Las Vegas office after election authorities accused the group of submitting multiple voter registrations with fake and duplicate names. Among the bogus monikers: names of former Dallas Cowboys players.

* Lake County, Ind., election officials this month rejected thousands of registration forms ACORN had turned in from its drives this summer. On a conference call yesterday, GOP officials noted that up to 11,000 of the applications were no good - tying up election officials and jeopardizing the voting rights of untold victims whose identities may have been stolen.

In what seems to be ACORN's standard operating procedure, vote canvassers had pulled names and addresses from phone books and forged signatures. According to a local paper (the Northwest Indiana and Illionois Times), "Large numbers of voter registration forms bore signatures all in the same apparent handwriting style" and "apparently the organization's canvassers broke rules to meet ACORN-set voter registration quotas to get paid." The fake registrants include dead people and underage kids.

* Milwaukee, Wisc., officials last month discovered at least seven felons employed as voter-registration workers for ACORN and another affiliated group. (State law bans felons from such work.) They also uncovered a raft of problematic voter-registration cards. The state GOP accuses the group of trying to get dead, imprisoned or imaginary people on the voter rolls. Fraud has plagued ACORN's Milwaukee chapter since the last election cycle.

* In Florida, in Orange County alone, ACORN workers turned in multiple, copycat forms for six separate voters over the summer. The Miami Herald reports: "One individual had 21 duplicate applications."

Election officials had flagged ACORN's negligent practices months ago. But it may be too late: In Orange, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, ACORN has signed up 135,000 new voters, nearly 60