We Need More of This

My good friend Hal Kimball who is running for State Senate is SD 18 (Hutchinson, Litchfield, Annandale et. al.) wrote a great open letter to both Speaker Kelliher and Rep. Emmer about what the focus should be this election cycle.  I think he hit the nail on the head with his pledges.  I hope they really take a look at this letter, and that other candidates/elected officials follow his points. 
This is the type of bi-partisanship that is so desperately needed in St. Paul. 

Dear Speaker Kelliher and Representative Emmer,
Congratulations on your hard-earned and well-deserved victories at your respective party conventions over the last two weekends.

As the campaign for governor enters a new phase, I’d like to encourage each of you to remain focused on the critical issues facing our state and engage in the kind of substantive and spirited debate Minnesotans deserve regarding your ideas for the future.

Two years ago, the Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman was a boon for political consultants, spinmasters and negative ad peddlers, but both candidates, with their heavy reliance on the politics of personal destruction, provided a grave disservice to the people of Minnesota. That’s not a path we can afford to go down again. Our state faced great challenges in 2008. Now, the stakes are even higher and all candidates owe those they seek to represent an honest conversation and real, workable solutions for Minnesotans.
Across my district, I’ve met countless people concerned about finding jobs, paying for health care, keeping their small businesses up and running and providing their children with every opportunity to succeed. These are bedrock principles across Minnesota and we once led the way in each of these areas. Today, sadly, we’re struggling on every front—and we’re losing the race for the future.
Unfortunately, at a time when we need the very best from our candidates and elected leaders, many of the people I’ve talked to in Wright, Meeker and McLeod counties have lost faith in the ability of government to do anything. Liberal, conservative, or something in between, Minnesotans have grown frustrated with the same old promises, the same old tactics and the same old results at the Capitol. That’s why I’m making the following pledge to voters in my district. I hope you’ll join me in taking these principles statewide:

I will tell the truth.

I will not promise things I know I can’t deliver.

I will not take my marching orders—in this campaign and after taking office—from interest groups of any variety. I will do what’s right without regard to politics.

I will acknowledge that government is not the enemy of the people, but there’s also not a government answer for every challenge we face.

I will never forget that our ideas must be paid for. Tax cuts and/or program expansions need to be offset with spending cuts and/or revenue enhancements.

I will always remember that my opponent is a good person who wants the best for Minnesota. Our debate must remain focused on who has the best ideas for achieving our shared goal.

Again, congratulations on winning your respective endorsement contests. I look forward to seeing you both on the campaign trail and I can’t wait to work with you starting next January so we can move Minnesota forward.
Sincerely,
Hal Kimball
DFL-endorsed Senate candidate, District 18