If you are in favor of gun rights, Senator Al Franken is not your man.  Mr. Franken co-sponsored and voted to limit firearm magazine capacity and to establish regulations for assault weapons.  He voted in favor of requiring background checks for all firearm purchases and against authorizing reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms (twice).  Franken voted against prohibiting the U.S. from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty and favored a treaty with Russia to Reduce and Limit Offensive Arms

Franken voted to surrender American gun rights to the U.N., a constitutional right that he decided we should give up.  If you  want a Senator representing Minnesota votes and hell bent on giving away your second amendment rights, Franken is your guy.  This is Minnesota after all, where up to four million hunters take part in the whitetail deer season each year.  Many others hunt bear, wildfowl, and small game, while some own guns for personal protection.  Sorry Franken, you don't represent our interests and have to go.

When it comes to fiscal responsibility, Franken has a horrendous record.  He voted against prohibiting consideration of bills containing earmarks (pork) twice.  He voted against a resolution that signaled disapproval of President's authority to raise the Debt Limit, a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution (three times), and to increase the National Public Debt Limit.  Franken also voted twice to increase the debt ceiling and voted against ending the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP - the greatest pork package in American History).

Franken doesn't understand economics when endorsing yet higher and higher taxes on the rich.  He voted for a minimum 30% tax rate for high-income taxpayers.  The rich are responsible for investments in capital that increase jobs.  Minnesota's history of higher taxation is already a burden for prospective businesses, and adding more is certain to deter future investment.

Senator Franken favors alternative energy over oil, providing subsidies where possible, and penalizing oil.  He voted to repeal the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel, to Amend Energy-Related Tax Credits, and against repealing the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax.  There is no viable alternative fuel now and the government's attempt at finding one has proven disastrous (Solyndra).  Franken voted to repeal tax deductions for major integrated oil companies while extending tax credits and other incentives to alternative fuels.  The Ethanol Excise Tax is a subsidy to encourage continued production of this known inefficient fuel.

Franken voted against approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project The Keystone Project would result in 20,000 jobs, bring in cheaper oil from Canada, and result in cheaper/safer transport of oil (versus truck or rail).

Mr. Franken believes the US failed to lead by refusing to sign onto the Kyoto accords (Sep 2008), even though this accord would place additional penalties upon carbon sources, driving up costs immensely for coal and fossil fuel producers - which inevitably would be passed onto the consumer.  Moreover, to add insult to injury, many countries not forced to participate would gain a considerable economic advantage, as their emissions would not be penalized.  In the end, the pollution would simply shift to another part of the world, yet into the same atmosphere.

Like most Democrats, Franken loves regulations.  He voted against prohibiting the EPA from Conducting Aerial Surveillance of Agricultural Operations, against the Disapproval of FCC Regulation of Internet and Broadband Industry, and against the Statement of Opposition to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules.

Senator Franken failed to represent voters when he voted for the Patriot Act Extension.  With the abuses already seen under this administration, why would he vote to extend those rights?

He also sold out his constituents by voting against prohibiting the Use of Funds to Carry Out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).  Everything President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid said about the ACA is an outright lie.  Why keep a plan that is far worse than what existed?

In Mr. Franken's own words, "I'm proud to have supported the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, by President Obama.  These reforms will help Minnesotans stay healthier longer and make sure they get the care they need if they do become ill."  The facts do not support his statement.

Mr. Franken remains steadfast in his support of ObamaCare, the failing, and sinking Titanic of the Obama camp - his signature achievement.  It started with lies and will end with a thud after the elections next year when several millions of Americans lose their health care and get substandard ObamaCare or face a penalty.  Senator Franken sold out his constituents by supporting this act that was shoved down the throats of Americans.  Stay on the ship Franken and sink with it.

In deciding whether to vote for Senator Franken we must look at his actual voting record, as well as his personal record.  In 2005, he was fined $25,000 for failing to insure workers and in 2008; he owed $70,000 in back taxes and $25,000 in workmen's compensation.  Senator Franken has publicly ridiculed imprisoning drug abusers and maximum sentences.  Finally, if you are conservative and pro-life (should be one and the same), Mr. Franken is like almost all Democrats, Pro-choice.

Sorry Al, you're not good enough, we don't like your record, and gosh darn it, we don't like you as our representative.