Our tax dollars are going to THIS?
It’s our favorite time of year: Golden Turkey time!
Minnesota’s government wastes a LOT of money on silly things. Each year, American Experiment gives out the Golden Turkey Award to the best one.
Here’s a bit about each of the nominees:
$250 Million to Free Food Fraud — The Minnesota Department of Education allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to be stolen by fraudsters at nonprofits like Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition, who said they were providing meals to needy children. The fraudsters bought luxury cars, boats, houses and trips. Worse yet, a lot of the stolen money left the country and will never be recovered. MDE is nominated for a Golden Turkey award for its lax oversight of the free food program. Read more about the free food fraud.
$6,000 Grants for Self-Love, Strippers and Dancing in the Dark — The Creative Support for Individuals grant fund handed out $6,000 grants to help “Minnesota artists and culture bearers sustain their practice and stay relevant and connected to audiences.” You know, the audiences that disappeared when the very same state government shut everything down. And when we say handed out grants, we mean it. The Arts Board distributed $3.1 million to 525 grantees. Judging by the winners, it’s hard to imagine they turned anyone down. Click here to read more.
$1.3 Million to Pay Kids to Go Outside — Most kids used to play outside voluntarily. Now we need a state program. the Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside program, which awarded $1.3 million to 153 organizations in 2022. Nominations are currently open for another round of grants in 2023. Clearly, we have money to burn if there is a state grant program to encourage children to play outside. Click here to read more about the program.
$20,000 to Promote Outrageous Home Remedies for COVID-19 — Forget about ventilators, masks, test kits and vaccines. During the height of the pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz’s Department of Health spent $19,700 on the real solution to COVID-19: sauerkraut. The grant also funded a video seen by a mere 17 people titled Traditional Ways of Health and Wellness: How to stay healthy during Covid-19 and beyond, as well as “wellness bundles” full of herbal teas, dried sage, dried sweetgrass, and immunity supporting lozenges. Learn more about this program.