Regarding the move to force early elections in Mpls.-- Dennis Plante asks: > SO WHAT if we don't hold public elections until 2005??? Think > for a moment > about the amount of manpower (both elected and private) that's currently > being dedicated to this issue. Aren't there more pressing issues to > dedicate the energy to??? > > Where does common sense enter into it??? >
[MH] You forget Dennis, this is a political issue. And I dare say it's only the politico's (the politicians and wannabe's) that even give a rip! Do a legitimate, unbiased random phone survey of voters across the city and tell them how much time, effort, public and private dollars will be spent to 'rectify' the current situation (inadequate voter representation?) in order to assure adequate voter representation- explaining the incremental votes expected- in a couple of wards, relative to citywide vote totals, and see what the voters really think about forcing 'early' elections. A survey of voters in the specific wards involved would be interesting, however, voters and taxpayers citywide would foot the bill, therefore the survey should include voters citywide. Also add in an estimated cost for all the lost productivity as everyday political business- important business, is put on hold while politicians and wannabe's campaigns to raise funds in order to win the election. It's stuff like this that explains why so many people are turned off to politics in general, and just figure 'less is more' in the political arena-- and vote (or not) accordingly! After all the time, effort and money is spent to hold this special election in Mpls., what significant net changes (in policies/ programs/ taxes) might city residents, voters and taxpayers experience, given the impact of a few hundred (a thousand maybe?) incremental votes due to several changed ward boundaries? What is the cost per incremental vote involved here; the tangible benefit to residents citywide? Some will say it's the principle of the thing. However, I think voters and taxpayers are more interested in the practicality of the thing; and are of a mindset that says, "Don't waste my time and my money on political principles that hold no practical, tangible net value to me, my family and my neighborhood. And that includes things like a net gain/loss for a given party on the City Council as a result of this proposed special election-- it doesn't translate as a net gain per say to city voters/taxpayers overall! It only matters to the politicos and their respective parties. Politicos-- Take note, and GET REAL, and take care of practical everyday business-- like how to eliminate the state budget deficit in the most 'practical' manner... and, then deal with it again at the local level... deal with the little things like figuring out how to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in city pension shortfalls over the next decade (without tripling the cost to taxpayers by bonding), and-most importantly, make the contractual changes necessary to rectify the problem as we move forward; and, still keep libraries open, police and fire on the street, etc., etc. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
