Liberal in the Land of Conservative

The following is a copy of a letter recently mailed from Bob Olson to the roughly 150 delegates to the CD-6 DFL Convention on April 26th. We thought you might like to see what he had to say.

Dear Delegate,

Congratulations on your election to the 6th Congressional District Convention on the 26th. This is an exciting time because we’re pulling together for a common purpose, to retire Michele Bachmann. The district needs it. The country needs it.

Looking to the convention, you want to know what defines me and what defines my opponent. That’s critical. You’re set on choosing the one who represents your concerns.

Despite what you may have been told, giving up core Democratic values does not make us more electable. If we trade away our values in search of victory, we act in fear. And we end up with neither values nor victory.

My name is Bob Olson, a tax attorney, community bank owner and the founder of the American Sustainable Energy Council. I’m ready to make the difference you’re hungry for, to be your representative in Congress.

Why me?

I have experience helping people pay for college, pay for their homes, and secure their futures. I know how to change the tax law to save middle class families being drowned by trickle down economics. I am the only candidate that has a plan to get us out of this mortgage crisis and fix this economy.

By eliminating our dependence on foreign oil, by leveraging sustainable energy technologies, we can create jobs, boost the economy, preserve our national security and save the environment.

We need a sizable infusion of loan guarantee funds for sustainable energy – like the REA in the 1930s and 40s – and tax incentives that benefit middle and working class people.

By making the right decisions now, we can end our dependence on oil, gas and coal in 15-to-20 years. We can move faster to a sustainable economy than we moved from the horse and buggy to the automobile a hundred years ago.

But only if we stand on our progressive values.

I’ve never wavered on these issues. I have been against this war in Iraq since day one – the best way to support our troops is to bring them home. I am pro-choice no matter who I am talking to. We do not have to compromise to elect a Democrat in Minnesota’s 6th District. Amy Klobuchar proved that.

Progressive means healthcare for all. It means giving everyone choices. It means giving the middle class a break from what benefits only the rich. It means human rights for all Americans.

That’s where I stand. Stand with me on April 26th and we can turn this country around.

Bob Olson

Dear CD6 Delegates,

As you already know, I personally have been calling each of you. Of the 139 delegates to our convention I have been fortunate to speak with 97 of you so far. I have learned of your concerns. I have learned what issues are important to you. I have received a lot of good advice. And I have answered a lot of questions.

Recently a few delegates have told me that our “opponent’s staff” have told them that their candidate is far in the lead. One said that the count was 118 confirmed delegates for Tinklenberg and just 21 for Olson. One delegate named a staff member who had told him a few weeks ago that “Olson has dropped out of the race.”

I believe that a member of Congress should feel compelled to speak out when they see things being misrepresented. It was their failure to do so during the lead up to the Iraq war that has brought us to where we are today.

When I have spoken with you I have asked each of you who are you are supporting. My impression is that those of you who are supporting Elwyn have been comfortable telling me that.

With 97 of 139 contacted, here are the results:

Olson 51%

Tinklenberg 32%

Undecided 17%

Please make your own interpretation of the numbers.

I cannot guarantee that you will make me your endorsed candidate at Bunker Hills on the 26th. But I will guarantee that if you do, we will use honesty and integrity to defeat Mrs. Bachmann in November, that I will have the backbone to represent all of your values in Washington, and that together we can change the world.

Thanks to all of you for 97, and counting, great conversations.

See you on the 26th,

Bob Olson

As a blogger in the 6th, I have become accustomed to the ever changing staff of Congresswoman Bachmann. For many of us, it's a sign of instability. A sign of weakness in our Congresswoman.

The same thing holds true for Bob Olson.

One staff defection can be expected.

Two defections are typical.

Three defections make me wonder.

Four or more in the span of 6 weeks is a significant problem.

His experience as a tax attorney and banker should resonate well with moderate voters in the 6th. Unfortunately, Olson has failed to really deliver a solid message to delegates and voters alike, a message grounded in the real problems across the 6th: Healthcare, the Economy/Mortgage crisis, Iraq, and Education.

It's easy to blame staff for these mistakes, and surely some mistakes have been made by paid and unpaid staffers.

However, staff cannot be blamed for a candidates failure to deliver a speech on message.

The buck stops...over there.

I have always been impressed with how MN-06 candidate Bob Olson sees politics holistically. For example, he sees the connection between the Iraq War, global warming, renewable energy, the deficit and the lousy economy. He believes that we need to get out of Iraq and make a statement that we need to stop our dependence upon foreign oil. He talks about the US spending $1.3 billion on foreign oil. We're spending $2.2 billion per week on occupying Iraq. Bob says we need to spend $30 billion per year on implementing creating a sustainable energy economy. Thirty Bs is nothing compared to these vast amounts we're currently spending. We can address global warming, our dependence on foreign oil while at the same time stimulate the economy and solving global warming.

Sounds great, right? Its also pragmatic.

I personally think that a strong progressive providing an alternative to cuckoo-crazy, fool-for-Jesus right wing Republican can do well.

Dear Friends,

Our campaign is coming off a great weekend in Washington County!

Even though we face a more experienced, better-known politician, our message of real change is resonating with audiences across the 6th Congressional District.

Ending the Iraq War, breaking our dependence on Middle Eastern oil, providing health care to every American and creating an economy that works for all Americans won't happen with more of the same tepid Washington politics that created this mess in the first place.

If we want to create real change, we must commit to shaking up the status quo starting right now.

As your next congressman, I will work to end the Iraq War—not fund it.

As your next congressman, I will never vote for an energy bill loaded up with giveaways to billion-dollar companies like ExxonMobil. By empowering entrepreneurs and farmers in the Midwest, we can end our reliance on dictators in the Mideast.

As your next congressman, I will ensure that health care is treated like the birthright it is. No American should ever have to choose between seeing their doctor or going to the grocery store.

As your next congressman, I will introduce a Working Families Bill of Rights to ensure that Congress pays as much attention to our friends on Main Street as it does to the barons on Wall Street.

We face a long, tough road to November. Entrenched special interests will attempt to block us at every turn, but I know that if we stand together and fight back we will not fail.

Thank you so much for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at info@bobolson.org or 763.463.9671.

Sincerely,
Bob Olson

Mr. Tinklenberg accuses our campaign of negative campaigning, citing numerous blogs and other casual media sources. The important questions and vetting of candidates is being done by loyal party activists across the 6th Congressional District.

Anointing candidates, squelching debate, and back room deals are not the staples of our party, the Democratic Party. If we continue this trend, we'll certainly lose this race in the 6th, regardless of who the candidate is, and we'll be 0-5 doing it "your way".

Olson: Bachmann's Fear-Mongering Fails Minnesota

For Immediate Release

Contact: Christopher Truscott

chris@bobolson.org

612.423.2582

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6^th Congressional District, released the following statement regarding Rep. Michele Bachmann's Wednesday night appearance on the O'Reilly Factor:

"In the wake of the tragic accident in Cottonwood, Minnesotans had a right to expect smart and compassionate leadership from those in power. That Michele Bachmann chose instead to go on the O'Reilly Factor and play along with O'Reilly's fear mongering is absolutely disgusting.

"It's true that we need comprehensive immigration reform, but it's important to remember, as John McCain reminded us recently, that we're all children of God. This serious debate must be handled in a manner consistent with the human decency that has defined our great state for 150 years.

"Countless number of lives were forever changed after that crash. Instead of scape-goating an entire class of people, it's time Mrs. Bachmann demonstrate leadership worthy of her office and the people of Minnesota."

Senator Clark outlined Governor Pawlenty's transportation "plan". It's simply a red pen. Pawlenty wants to bond for roads and bridges in need of great repair. Despite the fact that the state will be seeing possibly a billion dollar deficit, Pawlenty's "plans" are all revenue neutral, result in no increases in taxes.

That's not a plan.

I'll try to get some You Tubes up later today from the SD 19 "Breakfast of Champions" event in Buffalo yesterday. Both Bob and Elwyn delivered remarks yesterday.

Olson's speech had substance. Elwyn delivered a great speech, but he said nothing. Other than a few "Yes we can" chants from Elwyn, it was well delivered but devoid of any ideas or solutions.

My sense is that Elwyn thinks he has the endorsement sealed up. Labor was in full force for Elwyn in Buffalo yesterday. He'll obviously secure the labor vote, but what will progressives do? Will this be a repeat of 2006 where progressives support Olson and labor supports Tinklenberg, with the progressive voter winning out?

Dear Fellow DFLer:

Thank you for volunteering to become a delegate to your local party convention. You've taken the first big step toward ending Michele Bachmann's political career!

I'd like to invite you to call me directly at (763) 210-2009 so we can discuss the issues most important to you. You can also e-mail me at bob@bobolson.org or visit my campaign Web site, www.bobolson.org, for more information.

I'm running for Congress because I know we need to do more than simply change parties in power in Washington. We need to fundamentally transform the way business is done. Replacing one career politician with another isn't good enough if we want to break the stranglehold lobbyists and special interests have on our political process.

If we really want to end the Iraq War, provide health care coverage for every man, woman and child in America, break our addiction to Middle Eastern oil and deliver for working families, we need to do something bold and different.

I opposed the Iraq War from the beginning. I knew that the biggest threat was Osama bin Laden, not Saddam Hussein, and couldn't believe that so many members of Congress—Democrats and Republicans—were willing to believe President Bush and Vice President Cheney. As your congressman, I will work to end this wasteful war, not fund it.

Today 47 million Americans, and 9 million children, are uninsured. Ending this national tragedy requires a commitment to wage the good fight, not compromise with the special interests and lobbyists who have perpetuated this sin for decades. As your congressman, I will never vote for health care legislation that leaves millions of our fellow citizens behind.

As the founder of the American Sustainable Energy Council, I know we can end our dangerous reliance on Middle Eastern oil. By implementing the renewable energy technologies available in Minnesota and across the Midwest, we can dramatically improve our environment, create good new jobs and end our no-win alliances with anti-American dictators in places like Saudi Arabia. As your congressman, I will never put the financial interests of the Middle East ahead of what's right for Minnesota and America.

Over the course of this campaign, I've met too many people who are falling behind even though they're working hard and doing all the right things. I've also seen this in my work as a tax attorney and as the owner of St. Stephen State Bank. It's time to stand up and fight for working families. Michele Bachmann has done a great job representing ExxonMobil and Wall Street. As your congressman, I will introduce a Working Families Bill of Rights and spend everyday of my term advocating for those Mrs. Bachmann has forgotten.

The road ahead will be difficult, but doing great things is never easy. If we stand together and fight hard between now and Nov. 4, we can end Michele Bachmann's extremist brand of politics once and for all!

Thank you so much for all you have done to make this campaign a success so far. Please let me know if you have any questions. Again, you can call me directly at (763) 210-2009, e-mail me at bob@bobolson.org or visit my campaign Web site, www.bobolson.org, for more information.

I look forward to working with you and for you.

He does have some incredibly sound ideas about energy independence and prosperity without pump-price shock and he is as sound on transportation issues as El Tink - without any of the revolving door baggage that attaches to Tinklenberg on that front.

Before I post any thoughts or impressions I have - from never meeting the man but knowing a bit of what he stands for from reading his website - I will let his own campaign card from the caucus table tell everyone a bit about him.

Who is Congresswoman Bachmann working for? With more than $27,000 coming from her Financial Services PAC's, it's quite clear Congresswoman Bachmann supports her corporate cronies, leaving working and middle class Minnesotan's to fight for the scraps.

Bachmann Continues Assault on Working Families

in Press releases

Olson: Congresswoman’s Hostility Toward College Students ‘Inexcusable’

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, said Michele Bachmann’s vote last week against the College Opportunity and Affordability Act fits in with a “consistent and appalling” pattern of ignoring the plight of working families.

“It’s nothing new,” Olson said. “When given the opportunity to stand up for working families, Michele Bachmann has said ‘no thanks’ each and every time.”

Among other things, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:

Provide for renewed accountability in student loan programs;

Simplify the financial aid application process;

Increase college aid and support to veterans and military families; and

Provide equal opportunities to students with disabilities.

Bachmann was one of just 58 representatives to vote against the College Opportunity and Affordability Act. Last fall she was one of only 97 to vote against the College Cost Reduction Act.

Olson Promises Working Families Bill of Rights; Challenges Bachmann to Tax Debate

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, said he will introduce a Working Families Bill of Rights when he takes office next year.

“Michele Bachmann and her allies view taxes from the perspective of big business and the super rich,” he said. “Facing a recession? Cut corporate taxes. Want to stimulate the economy? Give the rich more. Working families are struggling? Defend the big oil companies. Bachmann-Bush policies are decimating the Middle Class, but nobody is fighting back. Our campaign is about forever ending that mindset.”

Olson, who owns St. Stephen State Bank and has practiced tax law for 35 years, said it’s time Congress extend the same tax benefits to working families that it grants to the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations.

Rewarding Investment in Families

“When an oil executive flies first class to a retreat at a fancy resort, his company gets to write it off as a business expense,” Olson said. “When a CEO buys 50-yard-line tickets to entertain a client—business expense. When parents invest in their families—nothing. It’s absolutely wrong.”

Olson said families making less than $100,000 a year in taxable income should be able to deduct on their taxes up to $10,000 a year of child-care and education-related expenses (supplies, activities, tuition).

Fair-Share Taxation

People who earn their income through work, Olson said, shouldn’t be taxed at a rate higher than people living off capital gains and dividends. Under Olson’s fair-share taxation plan, a teacher in St. Cloud would be taxed at a rate lower than Warren Buffet or George Soros. As it now stands, however, the typical public school teacher falls into the 25 percent tax bracket while many billionaire investors are in the 15 percent tax bracket.

“We’re not giving families something for nothing,” Olson said. “Nobody I’ve met over the course of this campaign is looking for a handout. But what I will do is ensure that government helps make it a little easier for you to do good things for your family. If it’s good enough for Bachmann’s supporters at the ExxonMobil PAC, it should be good enough for working families in Monticello, Big Lake, Oak Park Heights and Blaine.”

America can invest in working families when it stops subsidizing Iraq’s inept government and ends needless tax breaks to multi-millionaires and billionaires, Olson said.

“We’re going to end tax breaks for Exxon and we’re going stop spending billions of dollars on an Iraqi government that won’t take responsibility for its country,” Olson said. “That money can be put to far better use and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Issuing a Challenge

As a candidate in 2006, Bachmann regularly played up her brief stint as a federal tax attorney. Olson, on the other hand, helps small businesses and families navigate a tax code that’s increasingly stacked against them.

"Voters in the 6th District shouldn’t have to wait until the fall to hear where Mrs. Bachmann and I stand on taxes,” Olson said. “When the congresswoman is ready to debate, she can name the time and place. I know a neutral location is out of the question, but if the Jason Lewis Show works for her, fine. I’ll be there.”

This is a candidate who is not afraid of a challenge and is willing to meet Bachmann anywhere and at any time to prove that his ideas are more mainstream and make far more sense than the ideas of Michele Bachmann bought and paid for by her corporate sponsors.

Jobs in renewable energy

A useful element in rebuilding Minnesota’s economy

Minnesota’s economy isn’t doing too well these days. Our state lost 23,000 jobs in the last half of 2007, and it appears that the state’s budget deficit will likely increase from the gloomy forecast issued by the Minnesota Department of Finance last November.

There’s no magic bullet that will reverse this trend, it will take a combination of a lot of efforts to raise Minnesota’s economy to the kind of strength we enjoyed in the last quarter of the 20th century.

But one of those is relatively new and fascinating – financial opportunity and the development of jobs in the renewable-energy industry.

According to an analysis by the Blue-Green Alliance and the Renewable Energy Policy Project, Minnesota could develop about 18,400 new “green” jobs in manufacturing, construction, management, maintenance and financing of wind, biomass, geothermal and solar power projects. According to the analysis, Stearns County’s share of this growth could be around 1,200 jobs.

- Heighten public awareness about the job-creating potential of solutions to global warming;
- Use existing economic development tools to expand investment in clean energy and green chemistry;
- Accelerate green building, energy efficient retrofits, and related spin-off industries;
- Create more investments in green jobs, including those related to fuel-efficient vehicles; and
- Reform trade agreements so they include binding labor rights and environmental standards.

The analysis points out that Minnesota already has 450 firms that “are currently active in the industrial sectors that could provide the component parts” to reduce emissions by 15 percent worldwide.

Here in Minnesota, we’re ahead of much of the country when it comes to developing the kind of energy standard that can create these new jobs. Last year’s approval of a standard that will require utility companies to have 25 percent of their energy mix come from renewable sources by 2020 was a triumph of bipartisanship.

The Legislature also ordered the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to develop a strategy to maximize the economic benefit to citizens from the renewable-energy standard. Since then, DEED has produced promotional materials and traveled to trade shows to educate potential manufacturers and investors in renewable energy.

Greater energy independence, more jobs, a cleaner environment and bipartisan support—it’s hard to argue with benefits like that. Maybe renewable energy won’t solve all of our state’s economic troubles, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.