Gary Hoover wrote:
It seems to me that the political dialogue is so tightly managed by
the DFL (would be joined by the Republicans, but so far not in Mpls
local politics) that there is no hope of a candidate winning on the
basis of social justice and/or environmental justice concerns.
I predict that one of the DFL mayoral candidates will win. I predict
that no matter who wins, that Mayor will be shackled and hobbled so
that even if he or she works for real change it will be an uphill
battle all the way. If a very long-shot Green or independent
candidate should win, look for political sabotage or assassination
from those who feel entitled to rule. Even a DFL mayor who works for
real change will be brought to toe the party line.
The general theme that emerges from these comments is that the DFL
tightly manages the political dialogue so that everyone toes the party
line. As someone who is a part of the DFL, I am not even certain what
this might mean. I hear just as many people saying the exact
opposite..."Why do we always fight each other?"..."Why can't we be
organized like the Republicans?"
I am certainly not saying that the current political dialogue is ideal,
or that every important issue is discussed to its fullest extent, but
the assertion that some "DFL political machine" is stifling debate
appears baseless.
I challenge those who believe that the DFL has a stranglehold on the
political dialogue to provide some sort of evidence. The fact that DFL
candidates win in Minneapolis is not enough.
I challenge those who think we should be more disciplined (and therefore
have more of a stranglehold) to answer the concerns of others such as Gary.
David Weinlick
Armatage
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