List,
I loved reading Dorie Rae Gallagher and Robert Lilligren's posts
about respecting candidates running for office in Minneapolis.
As a candidate myself this year, I'm glad to know that others DO
respect the effort of putting oneself out there to run for office,
even if one disagrees with positions on issues. It is truly
frustrating when other candidates, and even voters, attack the PERSON
running instead of debating ISSUES, or discuss an opposing candidate
in the negative rather than supporting one's own candidate's virtues
in the positive. It is unbelievable to me at times how much mud-
slinging there is, and I wonder where this is coming from, especially
in a city that so prides itself on progressive politics and where so
many intelligent people DO pay attention, do vote, and do discern mud
and fluff from true substance.
Running for office is hard, and often thankless work. Even more so,
I think, for the lower, "Bottom of the Ballot" positions as voter
awareness is lower, media attention scant, volunteers in shorter
supply, and money is much tighter. Remember, too, that we often have
an image of the "slick" politico we see on national TV ads, one who
is polished, and says things in pithy sound-bites, and who looks the
professional part. For the most part, folks running for office at
the municipal level are just regular people who happen to be involved
because of an issue near and dear to their hearts, or because they
have been involved in neighborhood politics, or simply because of a
desire make things better. Very few political jobs in Minneapolis
pay very much money, and glamour may or may not be perk of the job.
I have a new respect for ALL candidates who run for office, however
kooky or different their views, because each voice add depth and
tenor to the debate. Likewise, I have a greater respect for our
Democratic process now that I'm a candidate. Even though Park Board
issues are often under the radar for most folks, I am
spirited by the ideas and energy I hear from residents about how our
parks could be better, what they revel in as they use are parks, and
how they question the way things are sometimes done. While many
might say initially, "well, I don't know very much about our city
government, or how the parks are run," often residents have an
anecdote about something that has worked in their neighborhood, or a
thought about why something could be done this way, instead of that.
Not every politician is going to take every idea to heart, but it is
all important in the discussion of how to govern, and how, hopefully,
best to lead.
Thank you, too, to this fine List for debating in great detail the
issues before our fair City. The movers and shakers are present
here, and if they aren't posting, they are lurking. Or they should be.
Here's to Democracy and Minneapolis politics at its BEST!
Tracy Nordstrom
East Calhoun,
Candidate for Minneapolis Park Board
Tracy Nordstrom for Parks!
www.TracyNordstrom.com
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
612.386.6257
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