If Not Now, Then When?
by Tim Biros for Minnesota Senate
Published Friday, October 29, 2010
There is a famous quote usually attributed to Albert Einstein which states that, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I can’t help but feel that Minnesota’s electorate is on the verge of matching that description -- if not already there. Year after year we complain that the capitol is too partisan, that the Republicans and Democrats care less and less about finding common ground and doing what is in the best interest of the citizens of this state, but rather, they worry more and more about making sure that the other party does not succeed. And yet every 2 years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, we continue to do the same thing “over and over again” at the polls. Why do we vote for the extremist candidates that the older parties serve up? It is clear by now that we are no longer voting FOR a candidate, but rather, we vote AGAINST the other radical candidate, and so the cycle continues and we are left with the same predictable results -- a lack of compromise leading to gridlock at the capitol, and even more polarized candidates in the next election.
Surely we all want this repeating cycle to end. Most Minnesotans want a strong third party, so I ask you, if not now, then when? What year do we collectively say, "Enough with the insanity. I will no longer vote out of fear." Do you really believe that the establishment parties will field more moderate, rational, candidates in the future? (Maybe, but probably not.) Do you believe that the Independence Party can really field a better slate of candidates than the current list including Tom Horner? (Maybe – but it would certainly be tough.) So I ask you again, if not now, then when? When do we change -- when do we come up with the courage to vote for whom we really want in office, even if there is the possibility of our least favorite candidate being elected, or do we just continue down the same road we have been on for years, believing that in the next election cycle things will somehow magically be different?
Twelve years ago we chose a conspiracy theorist ex-wrestler to be governor. Despite his big ego, most Minnesotans believe he did a pretty good job of governing our state (especially in the first couple years of his term) mainly because he was open, honest, and NON-PARTISAN. I worry that nothing will be accomplished under a Governor Emmer, while Democrats battle to keep him from gutting the schools, transportation, public safety, and everything else that makes Minnesota a special place. On the other hand, I can see equally fierce fights between a Governor Dayton and Republicans trying to prevent jobs from continuing to leave one of the highest taxed states in the country. It is up to independents and moderates from all parties to prevent either of these scenarios, and ensure a cooperative and bright future under a Governor Horner.
Jon Stewart is holding his rally in our nation’s capitol on Saturday. I say we moderates in Minnesota have our own kind of “Rally to Restore Sanity” at the polls three days later. If not now, then when?
Tim Biros -- Candidate for State Senate (District 34)
Published Friday, October 29, 2010
There is a famous quote usually attributed to Albert Einstein which states that, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I can’t help but feel that Minnesota’s electorate is on the verge of matching that description -- if not already there. Year after year we complain that the capitol is too partisan, that the Republicans and Democrats care less and less about finding common ground and doing what is in the best interest of the citizens of this state, but rather, they worry more and more about making sure that the other party does not succeed. And yet every 2 years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, we continue to do the same thing “over and over again” at the polls. Why do we vote for the extremist candidates that the older parties serve up? It is clear by now that we are no longer voting FOR a candidate, but rather, we vote AGAINST the other radical candidate, and so the cycle continues and we are left with the same predictable results -- a lack of compromise leading to gridlock at the capitol, and even more polarized candidates in the next election.Surely we all want this repeating cycle to end. Most Minnesotans want a strong third party, so I ask you, if not now, then when? What year do we collectively say, "Enough with the insanity. I will no longer vote out of fear." Do you really believe that the establishment parties will field more moderate, rational, candidates in the future? (Maybe, but probably not.) Do you believe that the Independence Party can really field a better slate of candidates than the current list including Tom Horner? (Maybe – but it would certainly be tough.) So I ask you again, if not now, then when? When do we change -- when do we come up with the courage to vote for whom we really want in office, even if there is the possibility of our least favorite candidate being elected, or do we just continue down the same road we have been on for years, believing that in the next election cycle things will somehow magically be different?
Twelve years ago we chose a conspiracy theorist ex-wrestler to be governor. Despite his big ego, most Minnesotans believe he did a pretty good job of governing our state (especially in the first couple years of his term) mainly because he was open, honest, and NON-PARTISAN. I worry that nothing will be accomplished under a Governor Emmer, while Democrats battle to keep him from gutting the schools, transportation, public safety, and everything else that makes Minnesota a special place. On the other hand, I can see equally fierce fights between a Governor Dayton and Republicans trying to prevent jobs from continuing to leave one of the highest taxed states in the country. It is up to independents and moderates from all parties to prevent either of these scenarios, and ensure a cooperative and bright future under a Governor Horner.Jon Stewart is holding his rally in our nation’s capitol on Saturday. I say we moderates in Minnesota have our own kind of “Rally to Restore Sanity” at the polls three days later. If not now, then when?
Tim Biros -- Candidate for State Senate (District 34)