TODD ON THE ISSUES

Minnesota has a spending problem, and the ever-growing government is encroaching on our livelihood and our freedoms.
Excess taxes collected go toward more government bureaucracy to which we must answer.  Meanwhile, our families are struggling and our children are being taught that capitalism has failed.

It doesn't have to be this way.  Government should restrain its appetite for spending and stop the erosion of our rights.

STATE BUDGET

When the state of Minnesota collects more taxes than it needs, it sees those funds as a piggy bank for implementing their own personal wish list of pork projects and social initiatives.
Last year, Minnesota spent an $18 billion one-time surplus and grew the government by 40%.  This should have been returned to the taxpayers, not used to enable numerous new political initiatives.



CORRUPTION AND FRAUD 

Wherever large amounts of money exist, grifters will go after it.  Witness the Feeding Our Future scandal, which was an unnecessary government program run amok.  It is generally understood that a significant portion of any government program will go toward bureaucracy, waste, and fraud.  As Royce White has said, "If you agree that government is corrupt, why would you want to make it bigger?"  The solution is smaller, less intrusive government.

CRIME AND POLICING

The state of Minnesota (and Hennepin County in particular) has sent a message to criminals that they are safe from aggressive prosecution, especially if young.   Police officers are threatened with legal action if someone gets hurt when protecting the public.  We need to send a strong message that criminals belong in prison and police officers who risk their lives are heroes to be rewarded.                      

EDUCATION

Our local schools need to concentrate on the core competencies of reading, writing, math, and science.  Parental input should be sought on curriculum and their wishes honored on how their children should be educated.  The state needs to stop meddling and eliminate their social mandates, especially with respect to critical theory and racial divisiveness.

SOCIAL ISSUES

This state has joined the national trend of legalizing traditional moral evils.  Abortion may be legal, but it should have limits imposed to protect the unborn.  Our status as a trans-gender refuge state for minors is misguided and will put the state at legal risk as these victims change their minds and learn that they've been abused.         
  

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

We cannot become a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants (as some have proposed) without risking a moral hazard.  While it is compassionate to care for immigrants as we are able, blanket unlimited support invites more people to come, and Minnesota will not be able to afford it.  We need to defund non-governmental organizations that are enticing and bringing large numbers of illegal immigrants into our country.