Is Duluth too far gone down the road of socialism to be brought back to the middle?
That really is the question. If you look at local politics and the current state of the City of Duluth, you have to ask yourself, “is Duluth too far gone?” I mean from the sense of recapturing the potential of this once great city. Let me explain.
Duluth has always been a city that has leaned to the left politically. The DFL has always had a stronghold on local politics. Only rarely has anyone of a conservative nature been elected to public office on a local basis. And, even with those rare occurrences, conservative elected officials have been, for the most part, neutered as they were one voice in a chorus of liberal points of view.
Today, we have a different situation. The DFL of old is now on the ultra-left wing of political approaches. Nationally, you have elected officials such as Sanders, AOC, Talib, and others who are openly socialists and support legislation such as the Green New Deal, which would be absolutely catastrophic to our way of life in the United States. Locally, we have past and present elected officials that support people like AOC. Our current Mayor Emily Larson and past Mayor Don Ness among this group. So, back to the question, is Duluth too far gone down the road of socialism to be brought back to the middle?
Here is a tweet today from Mayor Larson:
“This month, guidance on colleges, schools & youth activities are coming into focus. As a parent I am appalled that our kids & young people are learning that the constructs they have come to rely on are crumbling under the weight of our country’s leadership ineptitude. [sic]
As a leader I am frustrated for students & staff at all levels of eduarion [sic] who have to adapt beyond measure. It is ridiculous to think that teaching & learning can happen with the constantly changing variable & stress of a global pandemic which has spun out of control.
As a citizen, I am horrified & angry at the total mismanagement of this pandemic response by the president. He has chosen to abdicate all responsibility & demonstrated that American lives, our economy & our children’s education are somehow negotiable. Or worse: disposable.
The only way this ends is at the ballot box. VOTE. Like your life depends on it. Vote. Like kids education matters.
Emily Larson, Twitter
Vote. As if you care about health & safety. Vote. With belief in something else entirely: A country & leader who believes in us. #89Days #ElectionCountdown (4/4)
Is Mayor Larson simply using her current office as a potential stepping stone to higher office? Are current city policies adding to our quality of life or simply accelerating the local political landscape to an even more socialistic point? Why voice her opinion on national politics when local issues that are under her control are not being addressed? Where is that leadership? The DNT ran a fluff piece this past week about the Mayor running 6-7 miles in the morning and taking nightly walks with her husband, but really didn’t talk about what she has been doing in-between these time frames. It was, however, a great PR piece.
I find it ironic that the Mayor criticizes any other elected official as to abdication of responsibility. Can you name me one solid recommendation the Mayor has made as to solving and mitigating the current budget crisis? I’m not talking about laying off employees. I’m talking ideas over and above the one obvious step that has been taken. And, there are many who believe this was a misstep in mitigating the current budget issues. Why layoff people in positions that could generate cash flow (inspectors) while keeping high-paying administrative positions that we don’t need (sustainability officer)?
Approaching problem-solving today, in the same manner, we did six or seven months ago is also a sure-fire way to ensure disaster. The Spirit Mountain Task Force? Really? A task force is how the issue of Spirit Mountain being a drain on city taxpayers should have been approached years ago. Now a task force is put together and we are going to wait 6-7 months for recommendations? That is too long. And, too late. On top of this being the case, a local group of business experts volunteered to assist the Mayor with these types of issues two months ago. She turned this offer of assistance down flat from the business community and even stated that the offer was an insult. She could have had recommendations for Spirit Mountain on her desk weeks ago. Too late and too long no longer work.
So, let us know what you think. Is Duluth too far gone to the left to get things, from a political sense, back to the middle? If we want the City of Duluth to realize the great potential we possess, let’s hope not.