From complaints about crashed cars to the role of mileage reimbursements on state vehicles, DFL and Republican leadership has demeaned the value and the effort of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFB). Despite a series of serious campaign finance offenses committed by both entrenched parties, they continue to file a series of cheap complaints. This largely meaningless political drivel is intended to divert attention from real campaign finance evils involving the laundering of special interest money through the entrenched political machines. “They remind me of ‘Grumpy Old Men’ who would rather spread viscous gossip and cast spurious innuendo than further the work of the people,” says Independence Party Chair, Jim Moore, “They really need to look in the mirror and ask themselves what they want their legacy to be.”
The attack against the CFB goes beyond harassment. There is currently a concerted effort (by those who routinely attempt to skirt the rules) to reduce funding, increase fees, and limit the ability of the CFB to do its job. These games highlight the ugliest of political intentions.
The latest charge by Ron Ebensteiner that the board is “political” makes him the grandest “crank” of them all. (Although it is just a matter of time before the DFL anoints its own “grand crank.”) Recently, Ebensteiner himself had an indictment reinstated against him for his action in the American Bankers Insurance (ABI) scandal. ABI admitted to authorities that it made illegal corporate contributions to the DFL and Republican parties to ensure a Democrat or Republican Governor were elected over a tough Independence candidate, Tim Penny. Whether it is the ABI scandal, House Minority Leader Matt Entenza’s ties to the 21st Century Democrats, or Governor Pawlenty’s illegal commiseration with the Republican Party in producing “independent” campaign ads during the 2002 campaign, the hidden message has always been “get all the money you can and circumvent the rules in any manner possible.”
The two entrenched parties, in their continued pettiness in filing frivolous complaints and lobbing charges of bias, are working hard to discredit an organization which does very good work on behalf of clean politics in Minnesota. “I’m disgusted by the public relation games that are going on,” said Jim Moore, “These parties need to clean their own houses before attacking the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.” He added, “By the way, is there any progress on the state budget?”
Released 2/25/05
Prepared and Paid for by the Independence Party of Minnesota, PO Box 40495, St. Paul MN 55104 (651) 487-9700