I think you are posing the right questions and a productive approach to engaging
the suburbs in a dialogue about what is best for the region. This probably
isn't the only way for sanity to prevail at the legislature as local aidcuts are
made, but it certainly is an attractive way to begin.
I fear you will turn out to be right about the degree of resistance being
exponential to the excellence of a proposal to rationalize government, but I say
-- take heart! Forty years ago a group of men got together and conceptualized
The Treaty of Rome. They had a blueprint in mind for creating a United States
of Europe. They knew that creating a central bank & monetary policy and a
common currency was fundamental, but they didn't start there. They mapped out a
series of baby steps over the course of 30 years before they even reached the
issue of "borderless" countries (for trade purposes). All this was preparatory
to creating the common currency which will lead to the need for a Central Bank.
Once they have that, they have the de facto United States of Europe, whose
number of consumers will nearly match the number in the United States. (Whoever
has the biggest consumption rules world markets.)
My point in telling this story is that Rome, er the United States of Europe,
wasn't built in a day, and neither will a more regional government entity. But
the advantages of getting there should make the journey worthwhile. We need
some leaders whose visions beyond their parochial interests and whose minds can
grasp the driving forces of the future and what's at stake if we keep doing
government the way we've always done it.
Barbara Nelson
Burnsville who has heard far too much suburb-bashing on this list
Once and future Minneapolitan
--
Barbara Nelson
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn."
� David Russell
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