If James White had his way, the phrases "blue state" and "red state" and "liberal" and "conservative" would be banned from the legislative vocabulary.
"I think the state, I think the nation is way too polarized," says the mortgage banker and father of five from St. Paul. "We need less shrillness, less name-calling, less anger."
White took that message to the state Capitol this week as part of a campaign called "Minnesota's Watching." Scores of Minnesotans, from many different backgrounds, are attending legislative meetings and talking with lawmakers ? all with the goal of getting citizens' voices heard in the political process.
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| James White, outside the Minnesota state Capitol. |
White said he decided to participate in part because he is Roman Catholic and Minnesota bishops have spoken out about the state budget. He also is a member of Progressive Minnesota, one of the many organizations behind "Minnesota's Watching."
In addition, White depends on public transportation because he is visually impaired. A genetic condition caused him to begin losing his sight when he was in his 40s. Now, unable to drive, he takes a bus to his mortgage banking job in Vadnais Heights. Recently, Metro Transit announced that his route is one of several slated to be eliminated due to budget problems.
"Then I'll have to depend on somebody from the office coming to pick me up," he said. While he could manage, many bus riders would have no options if their routes are cut, he said.
The solution, White said, is a "stable source of funding" for transit, perhaps in the form of a small increase in the sales tax.
Twenty years ago, he probably would have spoken out against any tax increase, White said. Back then, he was an active Republican from a strong Republican family. But losing much of his vision ? and other life experiences ? have taught him to be less dogmatic.
"I like the idea of personal responsibility, being accountable," he said. "But you also have to realize that things do happen to people and sometimes they need help.
"I think we need to all get together ? both Republicans and Democrats . . . We have to look at the common good and those things that hold us together as a society."
White believes some "sensible tax hikes," fairly distributed, would stop most of the proposed budget cuts to transit, renters' credit, MinnesotaCare health coverage and other programs. He says he's not the only person who feels that way.
"I talk to a lot of people," he said. "People are aware of these cuts. They too have children, they too have elderly parents or grandparents in a nursing home. They drive, they use the parks."
White spent Tuesday morning visiting some state legislators in their offices. He said he was encouraged by the experience.
"You can make a difference," he said. "They do pay attention."
 |
| Some of the participants in "Minnesota's Watching" head over to the state Capitol to observe lawmakers. |
For more information on "Minnesota's Watching," contact Lori Williams at the Minnesota AFL-CIO, 651-227-7647 or 1-800-652-9004.
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If James White had his way, the phrases “blue state” and “red state” and “liberal” and “conservative” would be banned from the legislative vocabulary.
“I think the state, I think the nation is way too polarized,” says the mortgage banker and father of five from St. Paul. “We need less shrillness, less name-calling, less anger.”
White took that message to the state Capitol this week as part of a campaign called “Minnesota’s Watching.” Scores of Minnesotans, from many different backgrounds, are attending legislative meetings and talking with lawmakers ? all with the goal of getting citizens’ voices heard in the political process.
|
| James White, outside the Minnesota state Capitol. |
White said he decided to participate in part because he is Roman Catholic and Minnesota bishops have spoken out about the state budget. He also is a member of Progressive Minnesota, one of the many organizations behind “Minnesota’s Watching.”
In addition, White depends on public transportation because he is visually impaired. A genetic condition caused him to begin losing his sight when he was in his 40s. Now, unable to drive, he takes a bus to his mortgage banking job in Vadnais Heights. Recently, Metro Transit announced that his route is one of several slated to be eliminated due to budget problems.
“Then I’ll have to depend on somebody from the office coming to pick me up,” he said. While he could manage, many bus riders would have no options if their routes are cut, he said.
The solution, White said, is a “stable source of funding” for transit, perhaps in the form of a small increase in the sales tax.
Twenty years ago, he probably would have spoken out against any tax increase, White said. Back then, he was an active Republican from a strong Republican family. But losing much of his vision ? and other life experiences ? have taught him to be less dogmatic.
“I like the idea of personal responsibility, being accountable,” he said. “But you also have to realize that things do happen to people and sometimes they need help.
“I think we need to all get together ? both Republicans and Democrats . . . We have to look at the common good and those things that hold us together as a society.”
White believes some “sensible tax hikes,” fairly distributed, would stop most of the proposed budget cuts to transit, renters’ credit, MinnesotaCare health coverage and other programs. He says he’s not the only person who feels that way.
“I talk to a lot of people,” he said. “People are aware of these cuts. They too have children, they too have elderly parents or grandparents in a nursing home. They drive, they use the parks.”
White spent Tuesday morning visiting some state legislators in their offices. He said he was encouraged by the experience.
“You can make a difference,” he said. “They do pay attention.”
|
| Some of the participants in “Minnesota’s Watching” head over to the state Capitol to observe lawmakers. |
For more information on “Minnesota’s Watching,” contact Lori Williams at the Minnesota AFL-CIO, 651-227-7647 or 1-800-652-9004.