Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Governor Dayton Targets Minnesota Jobs


Mark Dayton was sworn in yesterday as Minnesota Governor. In his inaugural speech, he championed creating more jobs for Minnesotans. He spoke of working together to solve the states' financial problems and stated he is governor of all the people, not just those who voted for him. Since he won by a small margin, that was a reasonable appeal. I didn't vote for him but will give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he does.

I don't understand politics. I don't understand Minnesota politics. Mainly we tip toward the liberal side in state politics, yet we have sent Michele Bachmann to Washington. Dayton is the first Democrat governor in twenty years and the electorate gave him a solidly Republican legislature to work with. Last term we had a Republican governor and a Democrat legislature.

Something tells me all will not be peaceful. However, we have a budget deficit similar to California. We have a 6.5 billion $$$ deficit. Match that with a smaller population than California and it is proportionately similar. We have to fix it. States can't print $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Californians who are coping with floods, mudslides followed by snow in southern CA which will soon enough be followed by firestorms, have decided to recycle. They resurrected Jerry Brown who was governor decades ago. This is a progressive state known for supporting "green" technology and they recycled their governor. Is that innovative? I don't know. I am a Minnesotan who humbley recalls we sent a boa-clad wrestler to our state house a few years back. The only similar thing Californians did was terminate Gov. Gray (Davis) and replace him with an actor.
Can't disparage them for that. Another California actor did pretty well for himself in the White House in the 80's.

Good luck to all the Governors and legislators and leaders out there. I hope they remember to say their prayers and proceed carefully. We need all the help we can get.
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