In a democracy, the majority vote should determine the winner. Because Hillary won the popular vote, she should be the next president. It’s only logical. Would Hillary have won had the election been based on the popular vote? I’m not so sure. Here’s why. First, there are the fraud and dead voter problems. Dead people shouldn’t vote. But radicals in the Democrat Party … [Read more...]
Privilege explained
When the subject of being part of a privileged group comes up many people become defensive. Their response is, “I’ve worked hard for what I have, I am not privileged.” Yes, many privileged people do work hard. I think I have worked hard and am also privileged. The point is that other people may work as hard or even harder and never realize the same “success.” As we know many … [Read more...]
2016 was an eventful year
Last week Viet “Henry” Long stopped into Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s (SMIF) office. He was confused about a of couple checks he had received from the Foundation. They were not big checks, totaling only $2,500, but both were indeed for Henry, who co-owns Magic Ten Nails in Owatonna. Henry took over ownership after the 2010 floods, when the previous owner decided … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our worst day may be somebody’s best day
As we approach the holidays, it presents an opportunity for us to reflect on our past, present, and future. And, reflection can often help us revisit what is most important in our lifelong journey. About 20 years ago, when I was fresh in the newspaper business, I worked at a large daily newspaper with over 250 employees. One particularly memorable day, a sales manager … [Read more...]
Want to govern effectively, Mr. Trump?
As Mario Cuomo said, politicians campaign in poetry but have to govern in prose. Now we have a president-elect who campaigned in tweets...but still will have to govern in prose. Donald Trump showed great skill as a campaigner, steering his campaign past a slew of professional politicians who underestimated him at every turn. Now the test is whether he can govern — that is, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Fake news legitimizes real news
Last week, we published a commentary by Lee Hamilton titled “Fake news is a danger to democracy”. Quoting Hamilton: “Our representative democracy depends on ordinary people making sound judgments about politicians and policy. This is hard to do at the best of times. Issues are complex. Being able to sort out what matters and what’s a diversion takes knowledge and … [Read more...]
Letter about Stan Gudmundson commentary…
To the Editor, Holy Lucifer! I read Col. Stan Gudmundson’s column in your December 12 issue. I thought for sure he was writing about Dante’s Inferno. Upon rereading, it became clear that maybe he was scape goating atheists for his own confusion on his own immortatlity. We all know we will die sooner or later, but the real question is how have we dealt with our lives … [Read more...]
Letter about Voting freedoms of Minnesota…
To the Editor, I’m glad I live in Minnesota. I have only been here a little over two years. But it feels like I moved back to America after living in Wisconsin. I decided to look into the voting laws here recently and want to share. I love all the new freedoms after living in a state that is controlled by restrictive voter laws put in place by corrupt politicians that pick … [Read more...]
Fairness and integrity are essential in the election process
As I take a look back at the 2016 election, two issues should be examined to assure future free and fair elections. First, we should have a constructive and bipartisan discussion about the benefits of the Electoral College. We are in a time of instant information and communication. When our forefathers drafted the Constitution, it was a time of very limited communication. … [Read more...]
Why fake news is dangerous
Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” He was talking about why education matters in a representative democracy, but it’s a safe bet that had he known about fake internet news, he’d have said the same thing — except maybe with more pointed words. Our representative democracy depends on … [Read more...]