Only lazy people who do not manage their government "employees"need fear government . This is especially true in Minneapolis. Remember, the most powerful, controlling people in Minneapolis government were simply voted out of office during the last election. Voted out by organized neighborhood and resident groups. One of the most powerful politicians voted out thanks in no small measure to Vicky's group. Unfortunately, some of the "New" elected people, fearing the same thing might someday happen to them, started attempting to limit that very "Citizen Involvement and Engagement" power soon after being elected. But in Minneapolis, like most of our great country, elections come far to soon for true consolidation of power. So another election year is upon us and the elected officials are a lot nicer to us and "act" like they are a lot more interested in what the residents and neighborhoods want. They are again "making promises". If the Minneapolis residents are not too lazy (and they think the present Mayor and Council are not following their direction, and "Keeping their Promises") they will again send a message by changing that "government".
Perhaps we need "List" members to post what promises were made before the last election, and by which politician. Then there can be comments on how well that politician kept the "promise" that got us to vote for them. We need an accounting. Not only for our dollars as Vicky keeps asking for, but more importantly for their promises to us. Should people with such bad memories that they do not even remember the "promises" that were so important as to be made to get elected ever be trusted to spend our money and run our government?
The "voters" are the end managers of the City of Minneapolis. The most important responsibility of that "Management" is to remove those elected employees that are not capable of doing there job. Part of their job, and why the "Board of Directors" hired them to begin with, was to "Remember and Keep Promises". How well have they done that job?
What were the promises that were made? If the politicians forgot something (like promises) we can't send them back to Somalia, but we can deport them from City Hall and send them back to private lives, where their bad memories can be forgiven or overlooked. I don't think the politicians actually meant to lie to us, but did they ever remember one of the promises they made to us?
Well my sermon is also ended, so all you folks enjoy this wonderful winter day in Minneapolis. And if you have time, and the inclination, during your Sunday walks in the great outdoors, say a little prayer for the Vikings in their quest to thwart the smelly cheese heads from across the river. I am afraid our pampered indoor carpet playing, sensitive, and spoiled Viking children will need all the prayer they can get.
Jim Graham, Ventura Village, Phillips Community, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis.
"The people are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."- Thomas Jefferson
"An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."- Gaius Plinius (c. 61 - 112 A.D.)
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