Popping Early

The Don has apparently decided it is time to break out the big guns, or should I say the little placards. As if Duluth doesn't already know who he is and his obvious party affiliation. But do we know what he stands for? You'd think after this amount of time with him serving on the Council, serving as Council President, campaigning for Congressman Oberstar, we would know what Don stands for. Unfortunately, he has spent most of his time paying lip-service to various groups and causes while doing little to define himself.

Now, the unavoidable DFL type campaign replete with fuzzy logic and feel-goodism will once again take Duluth by it's collective apathy. The true frustration for those of us who keep a finger on the pulse of local politics is how to expose the true man behind the phony. How do we expose the meat, or lack thereof, behind the facade? Will Duluthians vote once again for the DFL label, package and marketing machine or will people actually do their civic duty and attempt to determine what the various candidates stand for?

The likelihood is history will simply repeat itself and Don will get the nod. After-all, he is revered by all who love fluff and are wary of substance, truth and maturity. Further, the stodgy old establishment will go with blinders on, dunce caps donned and cast their straight DFL ticket. Those looking for true leadership and seeing the rocks before the ship will vote for the underdog, only to be disappointed when Don and Company pop the corks as the predictable results are posted.

What will you do? Will you get off your sofa, your recliner, your apathy and get out to try to find the best fit for Duluth or, like so many other apathetic, ignorant Duluthians, will you attach your leash to your nose and like the many lemmings, post your straight DFL ticket? For the sake of your children and mine, I pray you get off that soft, cushy couch and learn who it is that seeks to represent you. Understand that Don does not represent Duluth, does not have the maturity or common sense to lead a horse to water, and much less, a City to fiscal solvency. He is a facade, a dog and pony show for the DFL and the young, starry-eyed, liberal, brain-washed University crowd. He will say what he thinks will get him elected. Just remember, it will be a familiar message with no substance, no true commitments to any tangible principles and finally, but perhaps most importantly, the predictable list of endorsements.

He will undoubtedly be endorsed by AFSCME, Progressive Action, the DFL, the Fire-fighters, the Duluth News Tribune, Organized Labor and every other left wing, fringe kook organization just as generations before him. The only variable is whether he will be able hold sway with the Chamber of Commerce. They are perhaps the most fickle, weak-spined organization in Duluth, selling out only to preserve their client base and never truly representing the business community in any substantial manner.

The Don will be elected Mayor and will again, fail to lead the City in a new direction. He will be another mouth-piece for the organizations endorsing him and will utterly fail to represent the general population of Duluth. We will get what we deserve. Another liberal, fuzzy minded, feel-good numb-skull with nothing to offer but lip-service to those who are in control...the liberal establishment of Duluth. This is the reality of Duluth. Despite his actions, his election will be based on how many groups he can bamboozle into believing he actually represents something. He will be elected based not on his ability, history of failure or silly-assed tenure on the Council but on all the "nice" things he will say between now and then and how many will be seduced by his phony message. Let the seduction begin.