EckerNet.Com

On the MN House floor today, while discussing the massive tax grab, otherwise known as HF 2800, Rep. Shelley Madore (Apple Valley – D) gave a very impassioned speech on her reasons for voting to override the Governor\’s veto of the bill. In order to justify her vote, she apparently felt the need to grab the moral highroad…through less than upstanding methods. She stated…

The bridge went down on August 1st and a gentleman from my district died. He left four children and I went to their funeral…I went to his funeral. And I stood there with his family and I looked them in the face. And what you\’re asking me is if his life is worth a nickel a gallon? I\’m telling you it is. Those four children will never have their father come home. He was trying to get home to his family to have dinner. That\’s all he was trying to do on the bridge that day. And I will vote for that, as I have publicly stated for the last two election cycles, I will vote for this today. Thank you.

source – At time 01:57:30 in the house floor session (2/25/08) video.

Shelley, why do you feel the need to use another man\’s gravestone as a bully pulpit? Especially when it\’s not true.

Here are the facts :

1. NOBODY in Shelley Madore\’s district (Apple Valley) lost their life to the 35W Bridge Collapse.
2. All indications are that no amount of money would have saved the 35W Bridge, if in fact it fell due to a design flaw
3. The 35W bridge was not being neglected due to lack of funds, as maintenance was being done on the bridge when it feel.

Facts #2 and #3 are just inconvenient for Shelley Madore, as they destroy one of the central DFL talking points about that disaster.

However, it\’s particularly distasteful that Rep. Madore has to capitalize on the death of another person in order to justify her votes. Instead, she should just be honest with her citizens by admitting that she has never seen a tax she didn\’t like.

Rep. Madore, it\’s bad enough that you follow the lead of your inner-city liberal buddies and vote against the interests of your own district time and again. However, it\’s just plain revolting and despicable that not only do you use a man\’s grave as your soapbox, but then use his body to shield yourself from criticism.

[Crossposted at True North and at Madore Watch]