According to reports, GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer accepted $511,834 from the state of Minnesota through its system of public campaign subsidies. Meanwhile, Minnesota GOP Deputy Chairman Michael Brodkorb recently responded to Democrat Mark Dayton's complaint about Emmer's campaign tactics, saying, "Here's the deal: He or his family (should) give us a check for $851,000 and then we'll talk about cease-fire."
Emmer's campaign has suggested that both actions are needed to level the playing field with independently wealthy Dayton. Emmer has called government too big and inefficient; he has supported cuts to fire departments, schools and medical care instead of asking the richest 2 percent of Minnesotans to pay more in income taxes.
Now, the tables are turned.
The GOP has to face the situation many of us deal with daily -- namely, rich people having greater power to buy homes, send their kids to college and control the wages and benefits of others. Apparently, Emmer and the GOP believe they deserve a level economic playing field this campaign, and they believe the government and Dayton should give Emmer money to level that playing field. Emmer thinks he deserves the economic equity he has worked to deny the rest of us.
Debra L. Taylor
ADVERTISEMENT
Duluth
