I don’t know a single Minnesotan that is happy with the proposed 2012-13 state budget. Most of the people I know vote; or at least they claim to vote but also to “know” some people who refuse to participate in our democratic political system.
The “chicken or egg” question is: are politicians all corrupt and thus stealing the power away from the people who vote them into office or are the people simply getting what we deserve by not paying enough attention and giving this power away?
The Bush Foundation In Commons project hosted a forum last week as part of the “Citizen Solutions” series. 50 + people came together and worked in mock representative style to create a balanced state budget. The majority of this group of strangers came to a balanced budget via a mix of spending cuts and increased taxes.
Actually, there was only one participant who refused this balance and was not willing to increase taxes.
It is possible that the Citizens Solutions group was of a homogenous political mind due the fact that they were all willing to spend time on a Saturday in a political discussion exercise. But, poll findings for the past several years have also been reporting that a majority of Minnesotans want a balanced budget comprised of the same mix the In Commons group proposed: spending cuts and increased taxes.
Our state budget is complex. There are unfunded mandates, complex relationships with lobbyists of special interest groups, regulations, and watch-dogs all vying for funding and agendas. Even with all the moving parts of our state government the cry for deliverables like the balanced budget on deadline seems reasonable. Compromise seems reasonable too.
Yet, when I talk to my fellow Minnesotans face –to-face about our political points of view, I more often than not give up on the conversation if it becomes a shout fest. My assumption is if someone I know and choose to engage in conversation feels the need to shout at me then any further dialogue on the topic is moot.
My experience is that once the shouting begins the listening stops.
I am grateful that there are still people willing to run for public office. It seems to be a degrading experience for the candidates and their families. The carrot at the end of this experience is the power and control of our society.
Our democratic process is worth all the shouting and I will make more of an effort to listen and stay engaged even if the volume is uncomfortable.
