Posted by Terry McCall on 11/05/09 06:57 AM [Newer: Bay Buchanan's Article from Rep. Mark Buesgens] [Older: Student Town Hall w/ Rep. Ron Paul & Rep. Michele Bachmann]

Minutes - Campaign for Liberty & RLC Meeting
Wed. November 4, 2009
Attendance - 17; Guests 3

I.Greeting - New guests: Brad Johnson, SD35 Chair; Rep Mark Buesgens HD35B
First Meeting: Emily Reese; Nathan Schmitt and friend

II. Invocation - Thank you Harold Schudlick

III. Pledge - Thanks Greg O'Connor

IV. MN GOP Health Care Coalition: Greg reported on the progress of this group of business people and health care providers. Greg represents small business on the coalition. He's preparing a white paper on Health Care. The first meeting was presided by a Dr from the Mayo Clinic. The group is looking at possible solutions to issues like health insurance. Only 3 or 4 providers are allowed to offer insurance in MN. This type of government restriction must be changed to allow greater competition and lower costs.
Don Lee suggested that the group look at what the state of MS has done on this issue.

V. Election Results: Brad Johnson reported that Conservative candidates did well in Scott County. Unfortunately the 3 Conservative candidates for school Board in ISD 196 (Dakota Cty) did not win. The closest one came within 600 votes. Mpls candidates did not fare well although Kris Broberg gained about 25%. There was a spirited discussion of the Congressional race in NY23 which appears to be a wake-up call for GOP Nat'l.

VI. Audit the Fed - HR 1207 & S604: Go to campaignforliberty.com to get the latest on this important effort. Two Senators are trying to water down the language in S604. Sign the petition and submit it to our 2 Senators.  Rep Mel Watt(D) is trying to strip HR1207.  Our job here is contact especially the Democrats on the committee to demand that the original language remain in the Bill.  You can find their names on the C4L Home page.  Contact them.

VII. Other business:

weselectthecandidates.com: Harold gave an update on the progress. He has presented at 3-CD's and about 6 BPOUs. The basic thrust of this program is to raise awareness of the importance and responsibility of the delegates to make the selection of candidates. Sign up at the site. Request the presentation at your BPOU. It's 10 minutes for liberty.

Resignation of Janet Beihoffer: The CD full committee will meet on 11/12 to select a new CD2 Chair.  Rep John Kline's choice is Mike Lindsey who has served as Deputy Chair and has treated Ron Paul people fairly at the last 2 conventions. Brad suggested that Mike would only serve until the 3/20/2010 Convention when the body will elect the new chair. Bonn Clayton, a former chair of CD2 and CD3, is also seeking the position. Those present who sit on the full committee will request that the role only be filled until the next Convention (e.g. we select the candidates). All agreed that Janet has done a good job. We thank her for her service to CD2. Janet was one of our first guest speakers.  She has done especially great work in developing the CD2 GOP poll watching campaign.

Josh Regnier and Michael Neitzel have formed a group born out of frustration over some votes taken by our Congressman, John Kline. A discussion followed about some ways
to address the concerns. They will formulate this further and meet with Rep Kline's staff.

MN CD2 Republican Liberty Caucus

VIII. Special Guest - Rep Mark Buesgens (R) District: 35B: Mark was introduced by Brad Johnson. Brad gave a challenge for all to stay involved as many of our SD35 C4L'ers have been. Speaking on the theme of delegate responsibility, Brad's goal is making sure that all elected delegates show up or at least that all positions are filled by alternates. The SD35 Chair role is the first elected position that he has held in the GOP. He sees the importance of our focus being on where we agree rather than on issues that divide.

Rep Mark Buesgens gave a stirring address about the battle that we are in for the sake of our children and grand children. This is a long term fight and one that he has led during his multiple terms in the house. Mark is one of the true heroes for Liberty in the legislature. He has a Barry Goldwater quote in his office and he has used it on the house
floor. It's in Latin but translates to, "Don't let the bastards grind you down!" Mark reminded us that we are the power of the party. Power does not reside in Washington nor in St Paul. It's right here, where free people associate and plan to re assert Liberty.

Mark's first house run was underfunded against an incumbent DFL'er who'd beaten a relative of the richest family in Scott county. It was Mark's focus on what could be done along with hard work and a passion for our principles that carried him to victory. We can't allow the specter of whom or what opposes us to prevent us from action. Our job has only started, and as one of Mark's mentors says, "A job begun is only half done."

Rep Buesgens mentioned the fight going on in the house today over eminent domain. MN was one state to up hold property rights, however one key loop hole in the law is that public service companies (e.g. Utilities) are exempt. Thus people's land can be taken by large entities with the help of government. Mark reminded us that the framers
debated whether the Declaration would read, Life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness, or
Life, Liberty, and Property. The protection of a man's property is critical to freedom. Thank you Mark for all that you do for Liberty. We love your passionate persistence.

Norann Dillon: Norann dropped by to announce that she has filed papers to be a candidate for Senate in SD43 (Plymouth and Minnetonka). Interestingly once she filed she received a call for Sen. David Senjen explaining that there will likely be a "big name" candidate running against her for the endorsement. 'Pity the fool', as Mr T would say. They obviously don't know Norann! Her web site DillonforSenate.com will be up soon.

Respectfully submitted,

Terry McCall - CD2 Campaign for Liberty