RESPONSE - Marty
John Marty (marty@Free-Net.Mpls-StPaul.MN.US)
Fri, 28 Oct 1994 14:21:48 -0500 (CDT)
QUESTION #3 - October 28, 1994:
Today, Minnesotans feel government is less relevant to their lives and are
having a hard time seeing how the benefits associated with government are
worth the costs. As the chief executive of Minnesota's state government,
how will you demonstrate the importance of state government to the citizens
of Minnesota. In other words, where are the costs resulting in clear
societal gains? Suggested issues you might address include information
infrastructure, public education, health care, etc.
John Marty:
A government for ordinary people:
People know government isn't working. People know government is
shortsighted and too partisan. People have been sold a bill of goods that
government can never work.
But under Arne Carlson, government has worked just fine for those with
money and power - Harv Ratner and Marv Wolfenson of the Timberwolves and
All Checchi and Gary Wilson of Northwest Airlines.
I believe that government can work just as well for ordinary people. That
government could make prescription drugs affordable for seniors and make
our tax system fair for working families.
Because Gov. Arne Carlson has ducked out on two televised debates this week
alone (KMSP and KSTP), the public has had little opportunity to hold
Carlson accountable or to compare our proposals. With only one network
television debate scheduled (this coming Monday on WCCO), most people will
never get a chance to compare our ideas. Here is the case I want to put
before Minnesotans.
* An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Government policy is to pass off major problems - health care, crime and
education - as unsolvable. This cynical thinking has us paying a fortune
for $30,000 prison "cures" while labeling child care and anti-truancy
programs "too expensive".
As governor, I will have every state program reviewed for its effectiveness
and return-on-investment to taxpayers.
I will run Minnesota like a business - an efficient business. We will
continue programs that save money for taxpayers; we will cut those that
don't work.
The wealthiest 4% of Minnesotans will pay their fair share in taxes, which
will raise $1.2 billion for highly targeted, smart investments in reducing
crime and welfare and in improving education.
Through the "ounce of prevention" savings, we will deliver $600 million in
property tax relief to homeowners, renters, farmers and seniors in just the
first four years. As the payback on prevention initiatives grows each
year, we will get Minnesota off the tax-and-spend treadmill that has
existed under both Democrats and Republicans for the past 30 years.
* Take away the extra clout of big-money lobbyists and contributors.
Give me one term as governor, and I well put the big-money interests out of
politics.
It's big money that killed health care reform. It's big money that has
abandoned family farmers. It's big money that makes our tax system so
unfair to working people.
That's why I fought against incredible odds to take big money out through
campaign finance reform and government ethics legislation. That's why I've
run my campaign with no special interest money, nothing over $100 from
anyone and no money for PACs or lobbyists.
* Education will be our top priority.
Minnesota's elementary, secondary and higher education systems are slowly
deteriorating and, unless we act now, it will be too late to stop it.
Why? The state has frozen the school funding formula for the past three
years. Carlson has vetoed higher education, driving up tuition and
reducing quality.
When I take the oath of office as governor, I will make sure that all
Minnesota families have the opportunity to send their kids to first-rate
institutions of higher learning, whether it be Mankato State, Macalester,
Mesabi Community College, a fine technical college, or the University of
Minnesota.
As governor, I will redirect Minnesota's resources to education, so that we
will be the smartest, safest and most productive state in the union.
* A better future.
I am an optimistic and tenacious person. Without those strengths, I would
never have won passage of tough campaign spending limits and a ban on gifts
to elected officials.
When my wife, Connie, and I look into the faces of our children, Elsa and
Micah, we know beyond all doubt that our best days are yet to come. Carl
Sandburg, the great American poet, understood this so well. Sandburg
wrote:
"I see America not in the setting of a black night of despair ahead of us.
I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun, fresh from the burning,
creative hand of God. I see great days ahead. Great days possible to men
and women of will and vision."
The future we create for our children is within our own hands and hearts.