Jim's post strikes me as a perfect example of just how silly the concepts of "left," "right," and "center" are, when used as political identifiers. Perhaps they always have been, but they sure seem to be getting sillier by the day.
One of Ed Felien's biggest issues in his race against Peter McLaughlin is Peter's wholehearted support for a public financing stadium deal. I know that Bob Velez is bringing up the same concern in Hennepin County district one (which includes part of Minneapolis, even if not wholly contained by our fair city, David). Now, is opposition to public stadium financing a "left," "right," or "center" ideological position? Well, Felien and Velez are Green Party endorsees. Two of our ten key values are "Social and Economic Justice" and "Personal and Global Responsibility." Spending taxpayer dollars on stadiums violates both principles. To tax the middle class and poor to build a wealth-increasing machine for the wealthy is profoundly unjust. And if the owners, players, and business owners who benefit from a new stadium want or need one so badly, they should take responsibility for it themselves. So - it's a left-wing political position. Eddie's a rabid leftist. But wait! Eva Young and others who would certainly not characterize themselves as "left of the left" agree! On closer inspection, one finds that opposition to taxes of all forms and for almost all purposes is a classic right-wing position. Hmmm. So maybe Eddie's a closet right-winger. But wait! Our governor, who sees and speaks of himself as the most centered of centrists (splitting the hair of the Republicrats, in my view) opposes public financing deals too! So Eddie's appealing to the "sensible center." I hope I've pointed out how this sort of weird geography of politics just serves to cloud and muddle the debate. Votes, in my opinion, should be cast for the individual whose ideas are similar to one's own - the whole principle of representative democracy. If you favor spending public dollars for private stadiums, Peter McLaughlin is your guy. If you think the county shouldn't be in the business of making more money for (it's official!) the wealthiest man in Minnesota, a vote for Ed Felien - and Bob Velez - would make more sense. No matter what your self-described position in the metaphorical road. Robin Garwood Elected Member, Minneapolis/5th District Green Party Steering Committee Seward P.S. I'm loathe to step into the whole Urban Ventures debate - I really wish it would go away and stop coming back - but I feel the need to point out that Jim really missed the point with his comment: "how do you fault a Church Organization for preaching their beliefs." It's not about faulting them for preaching their beliefs, Jim. It's about not FUNDING them to do so. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
