In recent weeks I’ve quietly followed the DeLaSalle High School playing field debate from the sidelines, curious to see how each side maneuvered to support their positions. Personally, I find the whole debate ludicrous and increasingly comical (or is it tragic?), as everyone participating in this debate knows the “residents” are interested in preserving the park land on Nicollet Island only because they happen to live there. Of course, they live on the island thanks entirely to the largesse of the park board and the city, which awarded them rights to live on the island in 1980s, not to mention the taxpayers, who ultimately support all park land. They don’t want to be bothered with the noise, traffic and commotion that go along with youth athletics, and some have publicly stated they’d rather not see “inner city kids” on the island. All of a sudden it dawned on me why the Democratic Party has lost the support of substantial portions of the middle class; that this debate about a playing field for kids is capturing the essence of why the party has been losing ground across the country the last 10-15 years. Much of the party’s elite, those with resources and influence, have grown comfortable and accustomed to special privileges; they’ve lost touch with one of their primary constituencies: The middle class. The core value is no longer the greater good, it’s preserving your own good. The same people who complain vehemently about Governor Pawlenty cutting education funds out of the budget, have declared war on the most diverse urban Catholic school in the region; rather than invest in improving the education of future generations of leaders, they are in a life-and-death struggle to protect their own privileged enclave. I can’t imagine that any “average Joe or Jane” would vote to preserve the convenience of a privileged few over building a ball field for kids. To the Nicollet Island “residents” I offer this compromise: If we must preserve the park land and deny these kids a playing field, let’s preserve it completely…..and move all island residents off of the public land they currently enjoy at taxpayer expense. Regards,
Peter Surmak Linden Hills DeLaSalle Parent 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
