Paul Wellstone...
 

Progressive hero or radical leftist? What do you think?

He died to early in my opinion, and the progressive agenda has stalled in his absence. if you feel the same www.wellstoneaction.com

never paid much attention to the guy, maybe cuz he's from minnesota and i'm here in texas.

i heard good things about him, but nothing bad (maybe that's cuz he's dead)

Re: Paul Wellstone...
 

Both. I think he was a man with vision and integrity, and I so admired him even when I didn't agree with him. I think most people would say that, whatever their political affiliation. Whenever I would get disillusioned and cynical about politicians, I would remember him and think that all was not lost. He died way too soon, and we've lost an icon and a truly compassionate person. After his death and the 2002 election I got seriously depressed. I voted for him in my first election I could vote in, and I was so proud to say I was from Minnesota and point to him. Sigh. I miss him.

Awesome, I hope you are as outraged by the current state of government both in the US and MN, Paul had the vision to stand for what was right, I don't think anyone has that anymore.

Oh puh-leeeeasse.

Minnesota is horrible in terms of taxing the hell out of business to the point that businesses up and MOVE, thereby removing jobs and forcing the taxpayers to make up the difference with income taxes, sales taxes, cigarette taxes, and soon to be highway tolls. If this is what you mean by "stand[ing] for what was right", along with nanny-state laws on seatbelts, fireworks, and changing lightbulbs, then maybe you should move here.

Wellstone was nothing special, and honestly the state is better off without a paragon of socialism in office. Local news stations are doing a great job of turning him into a martyr, though. :rolleyes:

Done and done, I have been, and always will be a citizen of MN. I find it almost humorous for a person to not think taxing toxic substances like tobacco is a good practice. One must not forget that MN has and the upper mid-west has a long history of progressive politics. In my opinion if you bash our political history you are demeaning women's rights, health care issues, and minority rights. Few people remember that, withouth Hubert Humphrey, there would have been no Civil Rights Act.

Why is it ever a good idea for the state to force "healthy living" beliefs on its citizens by means of taxation? You would be bitching up a storm if MN was run by Christian conservatives that suddenly decided that because sex is bad, you must obtain a permit and pay a $20 tax every time that you have sex or masturbate. It is none of the state's business if I smoke, and it shouldn't penalize those who choose to, as long as the substance is legal.

Oh? What do you think of the recently passed shall-issue handgun carry bill? Do you consider this "progressive politics" as well, or is Wellstone rolling around in his grave?

wait a sec...a conservative is complaining about regulating private behavior?

Not to hijack this thread by commenting on the original topic or anything....but i think that it's one of the greatest testements to Paul's character that he had respect from so many. Say what you like, seretogis, but Paul had nothing to do with those state laws...and it's really tasteless and uninformed to blame him for that.

Ps...you damn well better wear your seatbelt, since i don't want to pay taxes to cover the costs of scraping you off the pavement. Just a thought....

I see someone who understood Paul! He was a proud man who stood for his beliefs and couldn't be bought and sold by lobbyists in DC.