To the Editor,
As someone who has just ran for State Senate, I appreciated Lee Hamilton’s letter asking the question of why politicians run for office. For me the motivation was simple: to help my neighbors. This was an extension of what I have done my entire adult life, from running a homeless shelter to providing humanitarian aid, I have always strived to help others. As a farmer, I saw our neighbors struggling to make their farms profitable. And as a new father I saw the lack of support for new families. The better question to ask is why do politicians stay in office? If it is not to help your neighbors, why continue to run for re-election cycle after cycle? In 2022, Sen. Miller blocked bi-partisan legislation that would’ve used the nine billion budget surplus to provide historic investment in our schools, infrastructure, and public safety programs. Rep. Greg Davids supported Sen. Miller’s partisan obstructionism. Time and time again our politicians have blocked legislation that would’ve helped struggling farmers, that would’ve helped new families, and that would’ve directed more resources to our rural communities and schools. Why do politicians continue to stay in office long after they have demonstrated that they are not interested in helping our communities? Power and prestige are strong motivations to stay in office, but our communities deserve better. It is dependent on all of us to keep engaging in the political process and to demand more of our politicians.
Dan Wilson
Rushford, Minn.
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