Mr. Brauer asks a reasonable question: If you plan to spend more money on something, where do you get it from? Mr. Graham responds that "You either tax more or you spend less on the favorite projects of your buddies and political benefactors. It does not matter what the source, you just do it, because it is the first obligation of the CMs and the Mayor. In fact I believe it is the ONLY obligation of the Mayor.
Because Mr. Graham has long been both a resident of and an advocate for Minneapolis neighborhoods with disproportionately low income and high crime, and because we just had what seems to be a particularly senseless double murder (as opposed to the "sensible" murders that happen at other times?), I understand and empathize with his broad brush response. But it doesn't really answer Mr. Brauer's question, unless Mr. Graham really would countenance and endorse Mayor Rybak stripping NRP of all its funding and entering into a partnership with Basim Sabri, provided that those things guaranteed additional revenue that could be used to support public safety. Britt Robson Lyndale ----- Original Message ----- From: "gemgram" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 7:54 AM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Vigil Sunday for N Mpls murders > David Brauer writes, "I'm sorry, but this still avoids the second question. > If you make the top > priority - cops - a more sizable top priority, it has to be paid for." > > David misses the point (as a great many do)! It is not "making" it a > priority. The FIRST obligation of the City government and part of their > oath is to enforce the laws and provide for public safety. It is not a > matter of "making" it a priority, it already is THE priority, it is a matter > of prioritizing all other city functions after adequate public safety is > fully funded. > > The problem has been that some so called leaders just do not understand > their OBLIGATION and duty so they enter office because it sure sounds like > fun and being cool rather than having an understanding of either their > obligations or the duties of their offices. It is the reason we have so > many who are just not qualified for their jobs. We have popularity contests > that elect someone cool rather than someone who will do the job that > Minneapolis needs. > > I hope that answers David Brauer's question. You either tax more, or you > spend less on the favorite projects of your buddies and political > benefactors. It does not matter what the source, you just do it, because it > is the first obligation of the CM's and the Mayor. In fact, I believe it is > the ONLY obligation of the Mayor. Everything else is just his using the > bully pulpit. Other than controlling the police department and appointing > the Chief, what other obligations do we have under the "Weak" mayor system? > > Providing equal protection for poor impacted communities is not just mere > obligation, it is justice! > > Jim Graham, > Ventura Village > > >"Do not so firmly follow a belief that it blinds you to justice." > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
