Creating Jobs: To spur economic growth, we will propose: funding applied research at the University of Minnesota and other higher education institutions that open doors to new industries; promoting innovation and new technologies that come from our educational institutions and add value to the entire state; and exempting businesses from the state sales tax on capital purchases.
Improving Infrastructure: The proposal assures that local communities have the infrastructure that businesses need to grow, compete and prosper, especially in the areas of transportation and technology. Examples include expanding the state broadband backbone to ensure that each Minnesota community, business and citizen has access to the next generation’s super highway and moving forward on a strong transportation network that can move product to markets and support worker access to jobs.
Investing in knowledge: Minnesota needs to be known as the knowledge state, and we achieve this through a trained work force. A vital element of a solid economic development plan is to coordinate state supported education and training programs that meet the needs of expanding businesses in every community.
“As a state we must recognize that for many communities adding one job to a local manufacturer or to the construction of a new home, which keeps local carpenters, plumbers and electricians working, is economic development,” Mulder said. “And lasting and thriving economic development calls for forward and independent thinking that brings new types of jobs and technology to people in every corner of the state.”
Posted Thursday, 15 July 2010 by Peter Tharaldson
Find websites and social media contacts for all of our endorsed candidates -- Mark Jenkins, Amy E. Smith, Tim Biros, and John McCallum -- here! Continue reading
Posted Thursday, 15 July 2010 by Peter Tharaldson
Graceville is a wonderful little town in western Minnesota. It's in the middle of that hump that sticks west into South Dakota. There's a beautiful lake, a hospital and nursing home, a thriving implement dealer and a high school serving three communities. There's a strong agricultural base of wheat, soybeans and corn. What does Graceville need more of to preserve its great quality of life? People. The current population is now 605, but in 1980 it was 780. Fifty years ago it was 1200 -- and a century ago it was bigger than Miami! Continue reading
...here's the operative quote: 'When underdogs choose not to play by Goliath's rules, they win.'
Jack Uldrich in "How the IP Can Win" Join the discussion
Posted Monday, 12 July 2010 by Peter Tharaldson Comments (1)
Of all my friends who are not supporting an Independence candidate for office this year, I have noticed a remarkable pattern. They are to a person voting against someone. This has always been a bad trait in our political system...but I strongly feel that it is now the foundation of the two party system. This year it has gone to the absurd. Case in point...a good friend from college has talked several times about the governor's race. He has a tendency to vote Democratic (was a Republican one time). In many conversations he has only talked about voting against Emmer. I have some Republican friends who think we must keep the anti-Christ in the form of Mark Dayton from getting in. Have these people gone off the deep-end? How can they rationalize this. Continue reading
Posted Friday, 02 July 2010 by Peter Tharaldson
Posted Friday, 02 July 2010 by Peter Tharaldson
Learn more about the Independence Party in the 2nd Congressional District!

The primary focus of District 2 is to bring Minnesota politics back to pressing issues, including health care, education, transportation, environmental preservation and economic factors, such as dependency on foreign oil.
We stand for government and political leadership that serves the highest long-term interests of our state and oppose partisan politics based solely on self-interest, extremism, or special interests.
Matt Entenza: pro-Ventura. The Ventura administration is praised by DFL gubernatorial candidate.
Horner leads on job creation with commitment to research.
"We're not going away." Tim Penny in MN Daily article.
Horner focused on future. Broadband key in Minnesota's vitality.
Popularity of two national parties at historic low.
Threat to two party system grows.
Horner showed up. Emmer and Kelliher skip debate on education.
David Gergen: How Much Government?
Horner "... be wary of the fish tales coming from St Paul..."