Banana Republic of Spring Lake Park
Monday, November 13, 2006
Doors Close....Doors Open
It has been a long, and ultimately disappointing 2 years. The headwind was too stiff to overcome. We just about have the campaign shut down and put away. As for the future, it’s way too early to tell. I have no idea what her plans are.
I knew it in my heart of hearts back in September. I wanted to be wrong. But too many dogs didn’t bark. Michael Moore, MoveOn, others. The bogeymen weren’t there to point to. The monsters stayed in the closet and under the bed, out of sight of a skittish electorate. With no one to point to the Repubs finally had to answer for the (too few) bones they have thrown the base over the years.
For those who wonder, no, I did not vote for the Governor. He gave me no reason to. He is the beneficiary of a robust economy that was not his doing. Like Congress, four years with little to show for it, unless you count cigarette taxes, commuter rail, Twins stadium, more money for education (without accountability) and a $1 billion surplus that he doesn't even consider giving back. He threw every fiscal conservative under the bus and then backed over them. And by fiscal conservative I also mean many Democrats.
I could say a lot about our local, statewide, and national leaders but it won’t change the results. Oddly I am not bitter about any of it. I am more of a hired gun than anything. I have run successful initiative and referendum campaigns, defeated school levy referenda (they hate me). I have also lost 2 house races and now a senate race. Just another day at the office in a way. Though I wouldn’t do any of it if I didn’t believe we were doing the right thing.
What I find amusing is the call for changes in leadership at all levels. The same folks who beat their chests in the next sentence of that post about politics behind a bottom up effort. Well, if it is bottom up then why bother with the leadership? People should just do something. Get a group together and begin to lead the fight at the local level. A lot can be done at the local level. Beginning with the demand for transparency of spending. Great work was done with the Iraqi papers, spearheaded by Hugh Hewitt. A similar effort could be done with the $33 (or is it $35?) billion state budget vis a vis the Porkbusters project. Sadly most local bloggers are content to sit in the chairs and provide rehashed analysis that others have already done. How much carping can you read about Nancy Pelosi? Moths meet porchlight – anyone care to walk behind the house?
I have watched too many people bitch about things but not do anything. First is easy. Second takes a little effort and sacrifice. Actually a whole lot. Writing letters and literature pieces, learning and doing graphics, managing lists, building and managing a web site, organizing events. I have done it all. Most don’t know how to do any of it. So they just want to be in charge - indian meet all of the chiefs. They go to bed at 10pm. I’m up til 1 AM. They play golf on the weekends or go fishing. I am doing the 9th iteration of a lit piece that may or may not even be printed. Such is the life of those who do. I have earned my right to bitch. But I won’t.
Right now I am of the mind that I have sacrificed enough of my family and my career. I will leave this work for whomever wishes to pick up the ball and run with it. Time to go back to school and get a degree. As soon as I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. :-)
Thanks to those who did sacrfice and help. To you I will toast you.
I knew it in my heart of hearts back in September. I wanted to be wrong. But too many dogs didn’t bark. Michael Moore, MoveOn, others. The bogeymen weren’t there to point to. The monsters stayed in the closet and under the bed, out of sight of a skittish electorate. With no one to point to the Repubs finally had to answer for the (too few) bones they have thrown the base over the years.
For those who wonder, no, I did not vote for the Governor. He gave me no reason to. He is the beneficiary of a robust economy that was not his doing. Like Congress, four years with little to show for it, unless you count cigarette taxes, commuter rail, Twins stadium, more money for education (without accountability) and a $1 billion surplus that he doesn't even consider giving back. He threw every fiscal conservative under the bus and then backed over them. And by fiscal conservative I also mean many Democrats.
I could say a lot about our local, statewide, and national leaders but it won’t change the results. Oddly I am not bitter about any of it. I am more of a hired gun than anything. I have run successful initiative and referendum campaigns, defeated school levy referenda (they hate me). I have also lost 2 house races and now a senate race. Just another day at the office in a way. Though I wouldn’t do any of it if I didn’t believe we were doing the right thing.
What I find amusing is the call for changes in leadership at all levels. The same folks who beat their chests in the next sentence of that post about politics behind a bottom up effort. Well, if it is bottom up then why bother with the leadership? People should just do something. Get a group together and begin to lead the fight at the local level. A lot can be done at the local level. Beginning with the demand for transparency of spending. Great work was done with the Iraqi papers, spearheaded by Hugh Hewitt. A similar effort could be done with the $33 (or is it $35?) billion state budget vis a vis the Porkbusters project. Sadly most local bloggers are content to sit in the chairs and provide rehashed analysis that others have already done. How much carping can you read about Nancy Pelosi? Moths meet porchlight – anyone care to walk behind the house?
I have watched too many people bitch about things but not do anything. First is easy. Second takes a little effort and sacrifice. Actually a whole lot. Writing letters and literature pieces, learning and doing graphics, managing lists, building and managing a web site, organizing events. I have done it all. Most don’t know how to do any of it. So they just want to be in charge - indian meet all of the chiefs. They go to bed at 10pm. I’m up til 1 AM. They play golf on the weekends or go fishing. I am doing the 9th iteration of a lit piece that may or may not even be printed. Such is the life of those who do. I have earned my right to bitch. But I won’t.
Right now I am of the mind that I have sacrificed enough of my family and my career. I will leave this work for whomever wishes to pick up the ball and run with it. Time to go back to school and get a degree. As soon as I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. :-)
Thanks to those who did sacrfice and help. To you I will toast you.
