A Deadly Sin or Two

By Katie Sanders, Interim Communications Director, February 15, 2012 at 2:30 pm

Here’s my confession: I cultivate both pride and parochialism regarding Minnesota. I grew up here, listening to the broadcasts of farm reports while I ate breakfast at our kitchen table. I miss the farms. Although I have been “back” in Minnesota for a decade; I still struggle with the changes that took place during my 15-year absence.

I joke to my husband that I apparently brought him to Minnesota to witness the demise of the state whose values I loved. So many of those values I returned here for are presently on scarce display. Values like funding for libraries, family farms and public education. Who ever likes watching something you love struggle?

I miss cooperation. I’m not so naive to believe that things at the state capitol were all wine and roses during my youth. I realize the Minnesota Miracle was hard fought and hard won. Yet, at least there was an understanding of pulling in the same direction for the welfare of the state. Let me say that again: The welfare of the STATE. Not the: “either my idea/or your idea” we witness today in LGA spending, bonding bills or the entire 2012 state legislative session.

Instead, Minnesotans created the atmosphere and cooperation that led us to the unanimous conclusion that we would graduate our children from the finest public schools the country had to offer. We supported small businesses and farmers because we invested in their shops and products—in short, our own communities.

Contrast that with today’s proposal by the dominant party in both the house and senate to (mal)adjust the state constitution by circumventing the Governor rather than work with him on issues concerning Voter ID; worker’s rights and the anti-marriage amendment. Each of these issues deserves to be vetted and carefully considered (and heard) by people we elect to do this work.

I want there to be a tangible benefit this session: Movement toward the good of all the citizens of the state, not just the ones who already have everything. That gets accomplished when people participate in the exchange of ideas—also known as democracy.

I know I have echoes of, “Why can’t we all just get along.” I realize we are a different generation with different demands, but I’m not sure why cooperative civil discourse got lost along the way. I guess we chalk it up to another piece of collateral damage in the larger “death of the commons.”

Posted in Fiscal Policy | Related Topics: Government Policy  Minnesota Legislature  State Budget  LGA