Why I'm Running for Governor

PAID ADV -- This page is prep & pd for by the Carney for Gov Comm, 4232 Colfax Ave., So., Mpls, MN 55409

Short, Sweet, and Simple -- Our Minnesota Republican Party has become “unrepublican”.

Here in Minnesota we can return to a respect for the process of “...a republican form of government”. We need independent minded Legislative candidates of all parties, or no party – people who will deliberate and work together -- people who are not dominated by Big Money or Special Interests. We need innovative solutions for things like transit and housing, and a Governor who will work with everyone.

I'm asking for your support, some money, and your vote. If you're interested in running for the Legislature, please call me: (612) 824-4479 – Bob Carney Jr.

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Bob Carney Jr. speaking at a transportation hearing

First -- We need smart, creative, independent minded people in the Legislature -- people who will work together, and who aren't controlled by caucuses and special interests. If you think you're that kind of person, and qualified to run, please call (612-824-4479) or e-mail me. If you know someone else who is, please ask them to contact me. I will work with qualified, independent minded people of all parties, or of no party. A Legislature with 201 smart, creative, independent minded people, from all backgrounds, is far more capable of finding the best solutions for Minnesota than any one person. My first goal is to recruit and elect that kind of Legislature.  Will you help us do this?

"A Minnesota Republican State Legislator's Contract with Voters" (written in 2006 and almost unchanged) is open to all. This isn't a policy agenda, it's a process based contract. As I see things, people who subscribe to this are the real Republicans -- people who don't are something else, and I think they should call themselves something else -- something that describes them. I will work with people who agree with this contract, whatever party (if any) they choose to caucus with. 

Some people think I have a little bit of an attitude problem. Disclosure: they're probably right.

Second -- We need a Governor for all Minnesotans, someone who will work with everyone, and won't try to force feed Minnesota with the agenda of any Party -- or Special Interests -- or Big Money. I am respected by many Minnesota leaders, in all parties, and I am willing to work with everyone. As Governor, JOB ONE is to help the Legislature agree on a budget and a tax system that serves all Minnesotans.

Please understand two things.  First, my "Governor's Contract" says I won't veto on economic grounds if total spending increases at or below the cap of two percent above inflation.  However, based on our current budget situation, unless spending is cut significantly, we face a large 2012-13 deficit even at the cap.  I would consider tax increases in the short term, but I'm not willing to commit in advance to anything above the cap.  Second, on non-economic issues I am a social conservative.

"A Minnesota Republican Governor's Contract with Voters" (also written in 2006 and also almost unchanged) is open to all. This contract is intended to restore the Governor to the proper role in a "...republican form of government..." a Governor for all the people -- a coach more than a player on tax and spending issues. Again, people who subscribe to this are (in my view) the real Republicans.

I'm interested in doing video interviews with other candidates, of all parties (or of no party) to discuss the contract; the interviews would of course be put up on youtube.com

Regarding social issues, please see my "Stop, Look, Listen" proposed Constitutional Amendment. I see this as an alternative to a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage; and a more general solution to the problem of judicial activism.

Third -- The Republican Party needs help, and I'm going to provide it -- like it or not. The word "Republican" means something -- it is rooted in "...a republican form of government". The Legislature is the "first among equals" of the three branches. Governor Pawlenty has postured in the role of a parent of a Legislature cast as 201 unruly teenagers (sometimes DFL Legislators have made this look easy.) Here's the reality -- there has been a huge wrestling match for the last eight years over the growth of Government. We need to debate this question as we go forward. But unallotment is being used as a "choke hold".

I'm sorry to say this, but here's what I see as an emerging "Big Money Republican Marketing Plan" for this year: a Republican Governor, with 1/3 + 1 "boots on the ground", will enforce zero spending growth at the State level. It is fundamentally unrepublican for the Executive to try to take over the proper role and authority of the Legislature. This must be stopped. Primary elections were introduced by Progressive Republicans in the early 1900's to take away control of the political process from Party Machines and Big Money. I intend to run in the Republican primary this year to try to do exactly that.

When I launched republicancontract.com in 2006, one of my first articles was: How is the Minnesota Republican Party becoming un-Republican? You can see in this article the root of most of what I'm saying this year. There is one change: In 2006 I was saying we should favor Democrats for Congress (I exempted Congressman Ramstad) due to the need for Checks and Balances. This year, I strongly prefer Republicans for Congress -- for the same reason.

I am writing a book on unallotment. For now, I refer you to two "open letters" I've written, the first is a 6/24/09 Letter to Governor Pawlenty, the second is a 10/5/09 Letter to the Legislative Advisory Commission.  The entire records of pleadings for my lawsuit is online at republicancontract.com.

Regarding possible impeachment of Governor Pawlenty if he and the Legislature can't work out a compromise that undoes the unallotments, I refer you to three documents at the upper left of the home page: a Citizens' Petition for an Impeachment Investigation; an Article: State's budget is a puzzle that can be solved -- by: Bob Carney Jr., published on the Star Tribune op-ed page 1/13/10, and a primer: Impeachment in Minnesota -- background.

Fourth -- The economy has fundamentally changed. People in the public sector, and related sectors (non-profits), need to get ready for not just freezes, but pay cuts and job sharing. All forms of Government must focus on "producers" -- teachers, road and bridge builders, nurses, people providing direct services. We need new and transparent ways of auditing, to systematically eliminate unnecessary bureaucrats and supervisors, and to adjust compensation for those that remain. It is fundamentally unjust to think that government employees, and companies government contracts with can continue with pay increases, job security, and unsustainable pension plans, when both total employment and wages in the private sector are shrinking. Governor Pawlenty is right to say that ten percent average annual increase in State spending for forty years cannot be sustained. But the two percent rate for the last eight years is an over-correction.  We also need to do the adjustments in a way that minimizes the negative impact on total employment.

Rethinking the economy -- At this point, I've only gotten as far as the title of a book,... it's "Choking on Blessings: the Economic of Abundance." Here's the nub: the fundamental long term consequence of the industrial revolution has been to so vastly increase the capacity of humans to produce things they need, that the real economic problem now isn't scarcity -- it's abundance. In a post-industrial society, scarcity of the necessaries of life is not a natural economic phenomena,... is actually something artificial... something that we, as a society, manufacture. That's about as far as I've gotten so far. This won't be a main focus of the campaign, but it's percolating. I'll add this: "European Style Socialism" is a legitimate rap on the Obama Administration and the Democrats at the national level -- it's something I do not want. However, I don't see the Republicans at the national level offering a solution that gives proper weight to events of the last hundred or hundred and fifty years. The full dinner pail and laissez faire simply isn't any kind of a complete and adequate solution to the economic challenges we face today. So,... a title, a paragraph, it's a start," Carney said.

Regarding auditing, I made the Minneapolis Internal Audit a central part of my campaign for Mayor. An Editorial Counterpoint -- Minneapolis needs more audits -- published on the Star Tribune op-ed page 10/29/09 shows some of the challenges we face.  Also see the Draft Internal Audit Report of a "blue ribbon panel" last fall on Minneapolis Internal Audit, and my Written comments on the Draft Internal Audit Report.  Watch the one minute video "Mayor Rybak leaves the BET".  Given the Minneapolis Internal Audit history, I'm frankly amazed Mayor Rybak is running for Governor.  Prediction: if the DFL nominates him, you'll hear much more about Minneapolis audit problems.

Fifth -- We need to empower both citizens, and the Legislature, to control state spending, and to keep the Governor on the sidelines (where coaches belong) if the Legislature stays below a TAX and VETO CAP approved by the Citizens every two years.

Sixth -- We need to acknowledge something has gone very seriously wrong with this country's ability to create private sector jobs. Frankly, I haven't heard good plans from anyone about how to correct this. It is a huge challenge. I am advancing two initiatives. The first is a new kind of transportation system I call the sky-bi. This is an elevated, enclosed, all season system of skyway routes for bikes, segways, electric scooters and wheelchairs. The system would connect Downtown Minneapolis to the Greenway, the U. of M., and commuter routes that come in to Downtown (see the map). I am also working on a new, earth-sheltered building design that can be configured for many different uses, including combined residential and small business, and can include small neighborhood parks. Both systems are designed to enable higher density without more cars, and to reduce housing costs.

The map shows my initial proposes routes.  A 10 minute video about the sky-bi is at the top right on the home page.  My ten page sky-bi report is also available to read.

Seventh -- The Minnesota Political Contribution Refund ("PCR") program is a central element in Minnesota's unique approach to attempting to regulate money in politics in a way that does not infringe on free speech rights. Governor Pawenty's announcement that he has used unallotment to "eliminate" this program for the current biennium is in my judgment both illegal, and a body blow to our entire system.  Our system is designed and built to prevent Big Money and Special Interests from dominating state politics, and the Legislature in particular.

If you're not familiar with the PCR program and Minnesota campaign finance laws, here's how they work together: As a Minnesota taxpayer, you can contribute up to $50, ($100 for a married couple), to a State campaign (Legislature or Constitutional offices), or a recognized State party (Republican, DFL, Independence, Green) and receive, according to State Law, a Political Contribution Refund for the full amount. This promotes political campaigns that are financially supported by individuals, not special interests, lobbyists, and so forth. All taxpayers can also designate up to $5 to go to a recognized Minnesota political party, on either the income tax form, or the property tax refund form. The eligibility of State candidates to receive both PCR-eligible contributions and public financing (from the income and property tax forms) is contingent on a willingness to agree to spending limits. This system seems to me to be immune from challenges related to the recent Supreme Court opinion that corporations can exercise free speech rights supporting or opposing candidates.  Here's why: no one is forcing candidates and political parties to take PCR-eligible contributions and money from the tax form check-offs.  But if you do take, you must agree to the restrictions that come with it.  That's fair and Constitutional.

The PCR program, and the whole system of campaign finance, is designed to help independent minded candidates -- people who shun machine politics. My recent lawsuit on this was dismissed -- I am appealing. I will continue to do everything I can to prevent the Governor's unallotment from destroying a vital part of our campaign finance system in Minnesota. I hope you, and the Legislature, will help me in this effort.

Regarding the pleadings in my case, and Chief Judge Gearin's Order to Dismiss, please see Documents related to the PCR Lawsuit, on the home page.

The Complaint filed 7/24/09, and the Plaintiff Motion for Preliminary Injunction, dated 9/10/09 both have useful background information about the Minnesota campaign finance laws, and the Political Contribution Refund program.

Regarding an analysis of Judge Gearin's dismissal of my case, please see my 1/18/10 News Release: Moderate Progressive Republican candidate for Governor Bob Carney Jr. will appeal "unallotment" lawsuit dismissal -- calls for expedited Supreme Court review -- "if Brayton goes, I should go too".

Eighth -- A lot of what I've been thinking about and working on in recent years falls into a category that I think is properly described as "political entrepreneurship" or "social entrepreneurship". These terms are both "google-able". Even if I'm not elected, I expect to make valuable contributions to the political process this year. One of these may be establishing a new kind of political involvement -- a person who combines Michael Moore, journalism, and political candidacy -- challenging other candidates and elected officials to discuss issues and answer questions, with an option for Citizens to elect a person who is both asking tough questions and offering his own answers and solutions. Another is obviously inventing and business organizing related to the systems I am advocating for transportation and housing.

Here's a brief essay on political and social entrepreneurship, as I use these terms.

My sky-bi plan, and the one I am working on for a new kind of earth sheltered structure, (see Sixth, above) are examples of political entrepreneurship or social entrepreneurship projects.

As another example, here is Episode One of "RT and me", from last year's widely rumored but seldom seen "Mayoral" campaign.  If Mayor Rybak is actually endorsed at the DFL convention, you can expect to see this continued:

Ninth -- I am an independent business person, and I have some serious cash flow problems related to a refinancing that was canceled by Wells Fargo, related to one of my business projects. I am gaining some real world experience of problems that are in many ways similar to what  millions of other Americans are going through. I disclosed this situation briefly in the first news release I sent out related to this campaign, and in more detail in a January 25, 2010 news release. I will be speaking from a perspective that not many candidates share on some of the financial problems people in Minnesota and the U.S. are facing today.

Regarding disclosure, see my January 25, 2010 news release: Moderate Progressive Republican candidate for Governor Bob Carney Jr. discloses information on his financial situation: "under pressure, but far from 'under water'"