> It is important to note that
> he promised that if he won he would revert back to the "Independent
> Party" aka Socialist Party.
. . . although he explicitly stated at one point that the fact that Minnesota's health plan strongly resembled "socialized medicine" was reason enough to oppose it. It might be possible that he shrinks more from the perceived connotations of the word on the part of the voters than the actual implications, i.e., it's just a rhetorical trick to position himself (how else could he win?), but he does have a queer notion that somehow "charities" can provide adequate coverage for uninsured children (see below).
The word is he'll be appearing on either Letterman or Leno sometime in the next few days (tonight, even?). I personally can't handle either of them for very long, but it might be a chance for others in the US to catch a glimpse of him in his present incarnation as the saviour of humankind.
--
/ dave /
PS - valuation freezes on home purchases at sale price-? read on . . .
--
Published Thursday, November 5, 1998
Where Jesse stands on the issues:
ABORTION
Supports abortion rights.
AGRICULTURE
Favors temporary moratorium on large feedlots while more research is conducted.
CHILD CARE
Proposes eventually eliminating state child-care subsidies; says parents should hire a neighbor or friend or turn to charities.
CRIME
Supports loosening handgun permit rules for noncriminals who complete gun-safety training and skills testing.
Urges community-based crime prevention, starting "in the home, where values are taught."
Supports Gang Strike Force; proposes decriminalizing drugs to sap the power of gangs.
Would crack down on violent and property crimes.
Opposes federal death penalty, but says Minnesota should have one as long as life sentences allow parole.
Says Minnesota should consider new approaches to dealing with prostitution, including possibility of legalizing it in red-light districts.
EDUCATION
Supports the eighth-grade basic-skills testing program and would deny diplomas to students who can't pass them.
Would keep Profile of Learning, but says it was adopted too quickly. Wants to create a task force of teachers, parents and others to see how it's working.
Says eligibility for education tax credits should be expanded to include all families.
Open to the possibility of state takeover of failing schools.
Opposes merit pay for teachers; says it is political.
HEALTH CARE
MinnesotaCare is "socialized medicine."
Charities should help uninsured children.
Help employers provide health insurance by keeping their taxes down.
SPENDING INITIATIVES
Lower class size to 15 to 17 students in grades K-3. No estimate of total costs; promises to use power of office to persuade local officials to use current funds for class size.
Strongly in favor of light-rail transit system for Twin Cities, if surpluses allow.
TAXES
No estimate on total tax cut; promises to return all projected budget surpluses.
Unspecified income tax cuts if budget surpluses are projected.
Wants to "eliminate assessors" for property taxes, or change evaluation process; favors valuation freezes at sale price for homeowners; would allow married couples to claim homestead exemption for two homes.
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