Tim Penny distances himself from past work with Cato Institute

Mpls (red)Star Tribune ^ | 9/8/02 | Patricia Lopez

[Valin]

In his quest for the governorship, Independence Party candidate Tim Penny has said that he would "keep pressure on Washington" to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare; that the federal government should pay its "fair share" of special education costs, and that light rail is a must-have -- all positions he says reflect his "sensible center" politics. But three years ago, when Penny was employed as a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, he helped write a federal budget proposal that called Medicare a "Cadillac health plan" that was "unjustifiably generous." On education, the proposal recommended eliminating funding for everything from HeadStart and school-to-work programs to college work study grants and the Direct Student Loan Program.

[Valin]

Note: Independence Party is an offshoot of the Reform Party. Started by Jesse (Gov. turnbuckle) Ventura, when he lost the ego battle with Ross Perot. If IMHO he does well in the upcoming election we could be seeing the start of a viable third party. (Not that I support them)

[Tuco-bad]

Tim Penny distances himself from past work with Cato Institute

No kidding.

The Cato Institute is funded by the super rich who want every federal benefit for themselves and want the rest of the population to starve.

[B Knotts]

You obviously know nothing about the Cato Institute. They want to cut most of the federal government down to Constitutional levels, so that everyone can prosper. That's what most on this web site used to advocate. My only major difference with them is on their "open borders" immigration policy.

[Reo]

Penny is getting a lot of buzz up in the North Central part of the state. Mostly one sees Pawlenty (Pubbie) signs, but the buzz is about Penny. Gut feel from this grass root is that Penny has far greater name recognition and the Pubbies and Pawlenty have a lot of work to do.

[Dialup Llama]

This third party would differ from the Democratic party in what meaningful way? Tim Penny is the second Democrat candidate running for gov.

[1tin_soldier]

The Cato Institute is funded by the super rich who want every federal benefit for themselves and want the rest of the population to starve.

If by "federal benefit" you really mean being able to keep that which you earned and if by "starve" you really mean work, I'd agree.

Kind of surprised to see a socialist out of bed so early.......

[frossca]

Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, said there is good reason to maintain some distance from such budgetary recommendations. Together, he said, the proposals "would have represented a decimation of the federal economic and social role in American society."

And this is bad because...

[Valin]

Can I get back too you on that? :-)

Seriously, I see this as an attempt to start a party that is more in tune with the pre-68 democrat party. A home for what used to be called the Scoop Jackson wing of the democrat party. It could be a place for those who have problems with the Paul Wellstone's..etc. of the modern domocratic party.

[revtown]

Penny is now running for Gov. So he wants the Feds to fund his state programs. Thus making it easier for him to balance the state budget.

The CATO institute wants to limit federal funding at the expense of states.

So Penny has put on a new hat, by distancing himself from CATO, he isn't the 1st politician to do so.

Its going to be a close race, Penny could win. He'll be better than Moe.

[Willie Green]

My only major difference with them is on their "open borders" immigration policy.

Cato extremists essentially advocate a "no borders" policy on both immigration and trade. Their transnational agenda will serve to undermine our economic self-reliance, national security, and Constitution.

[Dialup Llama]

>Seriously, I see this as an attempt to start a party that is more in tune with the pre-68 democrat party.

Certainly not. If Penny was promoting pre-68 budgets then I'd vote for him. But by boldly standing in the middle, he stands for nothing except for finding innovative ways to buy votes with my money.

[Valin]

Its going to be a close race, Penny could win. He'll be better than Moe.

Couldn't agree more.
While I am a Pawlenty guy, I would like to see Penny do well, if for no other reason than it would cause a graet deal of trouble in the DFL.(confusion too our enemies!).
I do have a feeling (based on nothing more than my gut) that Penny could win. IF he does..lookout boys and girls cause things are going to get real "interesting".

[jlogajan]

Political rule number 1 -- say whatever it takes to get elected.

[verity]

Politicians have iron-clad convictions. [sarcasm].

[The Great RJ]

While Penny has great appeal in more conservative southern Minnesota and perhaps other "outstate" areas, he may be too conservative to get the votes of the "Birkenstock liberals" and staunch union DFL voters in the Metro areas.

I predict a close race with no clear winner until the very end.

[Maceman]

The Cato Institute is funded by the super rich who want every federal benefit for themselves and want the rest of the population to starve.

That really sounds like a very accurate description of liberal Democrats in Congress. Never forget that while the richest people in congress are ALL Democrats, they march in ruthless lock-step any time they can conjure up an opportunity to force more and more paycuts (i.e. tax increases) on us hard working "masses" who are just trying to support our framilies and make ends meet. And I do mean me.

[Paleo Conservative]

The "Independence Party" sounds like the Democrat Party lite.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Minnesota sure can present a puzzle to the outside world. Penny clearly is a conservative, but runs as a DFLer (a leftist, statist, damn near Socialist version of the Democrat Party) and Norm Coleman, a Republican (and former DFLer)is now running to the "right" of Penny and Moe>
Zowie, what a Bizarro State, eh ?

[bat-boy]

Cato extremists essentially advocate a "no borders" policy on both immigration and trade. Their transnational agenda will serve to undermine our economic self-reliance, national security, and Constitution.

I agree with that assessment as it pertains to these two issues. However, I think in most other areas, the Cato folks are spot-on. Their handbook for Congress is online at http://www.cato.org/pubs/handbook/handbook107.html.

I find myself being in agreement with them on almost everything. Many, if not most, of their limited government stances are no different than those espoused on FR.

I do disagree with their stance on open borders. This is especially true with our present day welfare state. Where we once had folks coming to America willing to work hard, blend in, and make a better life for their families, now we are overwhelmed with people coming here to sponge off of us while at the same time not wanting to blend in with the rest of us.

As to their free trade stance. IMO, free trade only works when its free on both sides. This is not where we are at. Instead, we are hit with tariffs and all other sorts of fees when we trade with other countries. We should do the smae thing to them. For instance, if a country taxes our goods at 25%, then we do the same for any product that same country brings into the U.S. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander as they say.

[Tuco-bad]

. My only major difference with them is on their "open borders" immigration policy.

"ONLY" major difference.

Isn't that enough???

Didn't our "open borders" give us 9/11.

What's worse is their our "open borders" will give us worse terrorism than 9/11.

But then, "open borders" is good for business and the super rich.