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• Education - The Great Equalizer

  Education is the bedrock of A Fair Chance.  If we are to maintain our standing in our country and the world, people of all ages wanting to better themselves should have educational avenues available to them.  A quality education is imperative for individuals to compete for good jobs and for us to compete collectively in a global economy.

  However, schools can’t do it alone.  Parents need to take responsibility for, and have interest in, their children’s education.  But let’s be honest, we need reasonable class sizes and current technologies to teach to the needs for tomorrow.  To give our children A Fair Chance parents, teachers and schools need to be accountable to ensure that they are meeting the educational demands of today.

• An Economy That Works For All of Us

  With a strong economy those that want to earn a sustainable living can and people are self-sufficient. The average person buys cars and homes which fuel the economy.  They’re secure enough to start or expand their small businesses, send their kids to college and save for retirement. 

  The role of government in the economy is a balancing act.  Too much government does not promote personal responsibility and stifles innovation.  Too little government rewards those willing to take advantage of the system and leaves behind less advantaged yet skilled and motivated individuals. 

  Government’s role in the economy is to provide regulations and laws to settle disputes and unethical practices.  It creates the infrastructure needed for businesses to succeed.  It builds the transportation system which is used to deliver products and services.  It builds the public schools and universities and pays the teachers so businesses have an educated work force ready to compete.  And, it provides police and fire protection. 

• It’s All About Jobs

  Hard work and personal responsibility pay off when people are given A Fair Chance.  Individuals are not restrained to pursue their dreams and provide for their family.  Most people recognize that a good job with a decent wage is the best way to feel secure in life.  A Fair Chance leads to most people choosing a good job versus a social program. 

  Salaries have not kept pace with the cost of living and too many families are falling behind despite working harder and longer hours.  The gap between the rich and the poor grows every day.  A Fair Chance creates good jobs and builds a strong middle class which reduces the moral and financial pressures put on government. 

• A Fair Approach To Taxes

  There is a balance to be struck with taxes.  The question should not be, “Did the democrats or republicans get their way on taxes?”  The questions should be “Are our taxes set at a rate that effectively allows the majority of us to receive a Fair Chance?”  No one wants to pay more in taxes than they have to, yet taxes provide the resources for the systems that allow the economy to grow like laws, roads and education.

  Most Minnesotans find themselves somewhere in the middle regarding taxes.  Most of us know that to have A Fair Chance we must acknowledge there is a role for government yet we don’t expect government to be the answer.  We have seen what “no government” has done to the financial market but we don’t want an expansive government either. 

• An Open and Accountable Government

  For people to have A Fair Chance government needs to be held accountable and that is best accomplished through citizen participation.  Democracy is a participatory form of self-rule and it only works with informed constituents. 

  Elected people owe the people they serve information about issues and rational for the votes they cast.  Strong leaders are confident enough to seek input and share opinions so people can make informed decisions.  Communication from elected official is essential to A Fair Chance.

• Safe Communities

  No other role of government takes precedent over public safety.  It’s what citizens expect and it’s the most basic inherent responsibility any elected official bears.  To be sure, the police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders in our community who dedicate themselves to protecting us are the real heroes.

  Funding for public safety is critical to make sure that those who chose to violate the rights of others, cheat the system and prey on the vulnerable do not interfere with our basic right for A Fair Chance.  The basic need of security is the building block or our communities.

• Preserving Our Way Of Life

  Conservation is also important as it protects one of the best parts of our state – the outdoors.  Hunting, fishing, camping and hiking are a way of life in Minnesota and one of the great rewards of hard work and fair play.  Protecting these activities stimulates a major component of our economy while maintaining our way of life.

  Conservation is important.  Protecting the water, air and ground ensure the health of our people and a legacy that ensures we leave a better Minnesota than we found it. 

• Healthy Communities

  Most of us agree that everyone should have access to health care.  We all know that the cost of health care is choking families and killing businesses.  Solutions to finding common ground on this issue are possible and necessary if we feel as though we are receiving A Fair Chance.

  Health care should not be a partisan issue as it affects everyone and our entire economy.  In Minnesota we don’t let people die on the streets yet we expect personal responsibility for ones welfare.  It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s one of the primary factors to a sound economic system.  Solutions can be found but the outcome can only be achieved through compromise and a willingness to get past partisan politics.

• Transportation That Works

  Transportation is one of the main pillars of our infrastructure.  Gridlock on this issue is impeding our economy and way of life.  Most people understand that we can’t build enough roads to solve our problems and that we need a multi-modal means of transportation.  Transportation is not a want, but a need and we need strong leadership from our area to reduce congestion.   

  We won’t compete economically if we don’t improve our transportation.  Being stuck in traffic reduces business efficiency and it is straining families who spending too much time in traffic versus being together as a family.