RE: [Mpls] Progressive Minnesota Endorsement Results

[Michael Hohmann]

"Progressive," a very subjective word.  Just what is a "progressive"?  It means one thing to one person and something else to another... therefore I'd say it's meaningless political jargon.   Blind support of unionism surely cannot be considered progressive, or can it?  The union's share of private-sector workers fell to a record low of 9% last year, while its share of government workers reached 37.5 %.  The total number of union members slipped to 16.3 million nationally in 1999.  In the private sector we are seeing the largest layoffs being implemented in years, and employees are asked to share larger portions of pension and health care costs in efforts to maintain earnings and jobs.  In the public sector, such cost sharing efforts are largely dismissed as unacceptable, strikes are threatened, and the tax surplus is touted as the solution to everyone's cash shortages.  Businesses must be profitable in order to maintain and create jobs, and to pay taxes.  It's a two way street.  We can't have our cake and eat it too; it won't work.   It's cool to bash business interests for the repressive exploitation of workers, and bash anyone suggesting that tax surpluses are NOT surpluses, but merely the over collection of taxes due to a strong economy in recent years.  'Privatization'... Oh God!  The other day it was suggested on this list that the government (state/local) had no mission or goals, thus how can it function effectively.  I'd suggest the way it functions effectively is to identify priority programs/services, establish appropriate budgets based on sustainable annual tax receipts, and make modifications based on need and a consensus of our elected leaders (according to voter/taxpayer intent)-- be they legislators or city council members.  Sounds pretty status quo maybe?  However, if budgets are dramatically increased now, using the 'surplus', what happens next year when there is no surplus to maintain the spending?  That old phrase, "what is the proper role of government?" comes to mind.  The alternative results in a 'slash and burn' operating mentality, that simply results in more layoffs and union strikes over time... more hardship all around.  Consensus and sustainability seem to be the keywords too often missing in ongoing budget/election discussions.   Look at the fiscal situation Minneapolis currently finds itself in-- too much money going out and not enough coming in; basic services deteriorating, property taxes increasing.  Another list member referenced two neighbors moving out of the city, voicing dissatisfaction with elected leadership or lack thereof, saying something to the effect that soon only the wealthy and those too poor to leave will live in the city.  This is reality folks!  These issues affect the city housing stock, business conditions, jobs/wages, schools-- the works.    So you tell me-- what's the 'progressive' thing to do?   Michael Hohmann, Principal Michael A. Hohmann and Co. (MAHCO) 4100 Ewing Ave. So. Minneapolis, MN 55410-1021 612-922-1490 http://www2.visi.com/mahco ~Market research, financial analysis, business plans and writing~   -----Original Message -In Part ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of David Brauer Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 10:24 AM To: Mpls list Subject: RE: [Mpls] Progressive Minnesota Endorsement Results  snip  ... So Doug Kress, who sounds like the perfect liberal social-services advocate, big on many of the right issues, loses PM’s endorsement in some part because he leaves the door open a tiny crack for privatization? Wow.   I tell you what – I am no fan of privatization; I believe in most cases it is a lot of snake oil and cynical union-bashing. BUT would I rule it out categorically, in all circumstances, forever? No. I think Doug Kress was being honest, prudent, skeptical – and progressive.   I don’t think “progressivism” is synonymous with doctrinaire unionism. Jim Niland, god love him, sold out the taxpayers of Minneapolis -- and the city’s progressives -- by voting for corporate welfare to Block E, all for a couple of hundred Hotel & Restaurant Worker union jobs. It wasn’t worth the price.   The city’s progressives better wake up and realize if they’re going to be sold out by candidates on the left, it will be over Big Union issues. Our union brothers and sisters need to be held to the same “corporate welfare” accountability that we claim to hold everyone else to. ...     David Brauer King Field – Ward 10