How should we change our political process?
My general response usually comes down to encouraging more citizen involvement in seeking and supporting qualified candidates for public office at all levels.
Chuck Slocum
Recalling the year that ‘brainwashed’ became part of our political debate
In the ’68 election, George Romney was a good presidential candidate who spoke the truth, got into trouble for it and self-destructed long before Election Day.
Though problems mount, there is an effective way to offer a hand-up to youngsters
Oprah Winfrey, based on her own experiences, said “a mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
Christopher Columbus: Not the man we learned about as schoolchildren
In the places that Columbus landed, natives were forced into slavery and punished with flogging, loss of limb or death if they did not perform to such expectations as collecting enough gold each day from the mines.
At work together, sharing the home turf
With both spouses suddenly working at home, there is a new dynamic.
2020 campaigns must not ignore America’s annual deficit and long-term debt
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the annual deficit will remain above $1 trillion through the next decade unless current plans are changed.
So many young people could use another caring adult, but there are too few mentors
The parents of half of Minnesota’s kids say they’d welcome an adult mentor to help their children succeed, yet only about one in three has such a person available.
Advocating less partisan, more civil deliberation and aboveboard lawmaking
Minnesota has a deep civic ethic when compared to most states. We have the ability to manage the many aspects of honorable self-governance for many years, but we must be vigilant.
Looking to 2020, let’s hope voters are inspired to turn out
Strategists and academic experts are now bracing for what Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist, has called “a voter turnout storm of a century.”
We all must consider how to help people in despair find healthy lives
“Suicide is preventable in the vast majority of cases, according to Dan Reidenberg, the executive director of Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (SAVE).
France’s Notre Dame lessons for Minnesota tourism
In our state, not unlike France moving forward at this defining moment in its history, we must continue to plan our work and work our plan.
The $22 trillion red-ink question: How do we get on a sustainable path?
There are few lawmakers in either major political party who are advancing solutions that would gradually pay down the debt.
Duane Benson: ‘Benny’ was effective, genial and thoughtful throughout his purposeful life
Have you ever known a person you chose to contact annually at Thanksgiving time just to tell them how you appreciated the friendship? I have. We called him Benny.
What would it take to create a Minnesota Republican resurgence?
Undeniably, Republicans have a statewide problem in that the election indicates the party held only its base and decidedly lost the centrist, independent voters who had supported Republicans in significant numbers in recent years.
Minnesota needs to bring new energy to preschool efforts
Roughly half of Minnesota kids are not fully prepared to succeed when they begin kindergarten, and too many of them never do catch up.
Americans must grapple with the continuing growth in U.S. spending and debt
For the last decade or so, I have become increasingly concerned about the federal debt, now estimated to be $21.13 trillion.
What Minnesotans are thinking: Surveying the surveys as Minnesota’s primary election approaches
How Minnesotans are feeling, on everyting from Russian interferance to the Gov. Mark Dayton.
Thoughts about America and our 4th of July celebration
There remain large inequalities of income and wealth in America, but the goal of America is upward social mobility and opportunity for all.
‘The Politics of Problem Solving’: Four big topics Americans need to discuss
Here’s hoping that a group convened by No Labels can help lead the way through an open, reasoned bottoms-up gathering to discuss the important stuff.
In tribute: Barbara Bush’s telling moment with me
We judge character by the best intentions and most noble acts. On that count alone, I have a vivid memory from nearly 40 years ago that came to me as I learned of the passing of Barbara Bush.
