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Please answer the question, Mr. Minnick

by Ron Nilson
| February 4, 2010 6:22 AM

Published: February 4, 2010

Maybe this rhetoric is to be expected today, maybe this is politics today; but I don't remember as a child when our president and other politicians were asked a question, that they wouldn't answer it. Am I the only one who notices that when a tough question is asked of our leaders, they start to dance like Michael Jackson? When the dance is over and the long rambling has stopped, you find yourself saying, "He or she never answered my question." They are elected by the people, they are accountable to the people and they come to the people to speak. Shouldn't they answer the questions posed? Don't they either need to answer the question, or be honest and say "I don't know," or maybe even say, "My answer will get me in trouble, so I am going to talk in circles until you go away."

It's time for "We the People" to say, "Answer the Question!" and not let them continue on until they do. Last Saturday, at a public forum at the Coeur d'Alene Senior Center, our local legislators answered many questions from the crowd. I'm proud to say that, first, they showed up; and, secondly, they answered everyone's questions, directly and to the point.

After our local legislators left the stage, Walt Minnick came to the stage. He gave a short message about what is happening in Washington and joked about everyone getting the message from Massachusetts. Then he opened it up for questions.

One tough question was, "Why are you using our tax dollars to send out personal political campaign literatureft" Mr. Minnick's response was, "It only cost $20,000," and he went on to say how much he has done to help all Idahoans and this brochure gives specific cases. But it only had his picture and his information on the brochure.

Then, my question: "You have said publicly (Post Falls Rotary, August, 2009) that you support the Free Choice Act. If creating jobs is one of the most important things we need to do to get this country back on track, explain how this would help in creating jobs?" He started out by saying jobs are our No. 1 focus and that he supports this. He then stated that he doesn't think the Free Choice Act will come before the House, and if it did, it would have to be modified. Then Walt looked for the next question.

Before he could find someone to ask another question, I said "Mr.

Minnick, you never answered my question." It was obvious he was upset and went on to say he didn't appreciate that I had misstated his position, that he had answered my question, and that he was not going to talk about it anymore.

I felt like I was in the twilight zone. Where was his answer?

The "Employee Free Choice Act," better known as "Card Check," is one of the most harmful pieces of legislation to ever be proposed by our government.

Big labor unions spent heavily during the 2009 election and are pushing Congress to approve this law. Union membership has been declining - currently about 7.5 percent in the private sector - and they hope this law will change the rules and reverse that trend.

The U.S. Chamber strongly opposes this legislation and we know that they represent 300,000 businesses. The Chamber states that there are three problems with Card Check: 1. Eliminating the private ballot 2. Government arbitration and control 3. Harsh new penalties for businesses.

Visit: www.uschamber.com/issues and see for yourself. This is why most business leaders in Idaho have come out in strong opposition to this legislation.

This is why those who understand this legislation oppose it.

Except, Walt Minnick! Why?

Maybe the answer lies in closely examining Mr. Minnick's PAC fund and to whom he is responsible as a result.

HERE's AN ANSWER: Eight of Mr. Minnick's top 11 campaign contributors are from Union-based organizations.

Walt, when answering my question, just say, "I owe this support to the unions."

Ron Nilson owns Ground Force Manufacturing in Post Falls.