Second in a series
Editor's note: In keeping with this site's focus on Greater Minnesota outside of the Range, I asked DFL gubernatorial candidate campaigns to submit statements from non-metro supporters. The writers were asked to focus on the merits of their candidates for outstate voters.
The responses are published in the order they were received by Bluestem Prairie.
by Deb Hogenson
Sally Jo asked me to explain why I, a rural Minnesotan, am supporting Matt Entenza. Simply put, I think Matt is the candidate most likely to improve the lives of Minnesotans.
I own a small independent business doing case management work for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My experience serving some of our state’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens is the prism through which I view all politics. Each of the candidates for governor expresses strong support for persons with disabilities. Despite this, my clients were seriously harmed by funding cuts in the last legislative session. I am not referring to the Governor’s probably unconstitutional unallotment. I am upset with new statutory funding cuts that have reduced the quality of life of people living in Minnesota’s nursing homes and group homes.
My concerns about the nursing home funding cuts go to the core of Sally Jo’s question; what do we need from our state government and more specifically, from our governor? Our governor must be someone who has more than a professed inclination to support a progressive program of social justice; we need someone with a demonstrated history of doing it. Even better is a candidate who has fought for important progressive causes and won.
Minnesota Care is an important program for people who can not purchase private health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid. In 2005 Gov. Pawlenty and the Minnesota GOP were set to dismantle Minnesota Care. Sen. Dean Johnson and Rep. Matt Entenza worked together and stopped them. The legislature may not have finished on time, but lives were literally saved.
Minnesota needs a governor who understands that right is right and issues sometimes have moral imperatives. I do not want a governor who makes decisions with an eye toward building a future political career. I want a governor whose actions will build healthy communities throughout Minnesota. This means quality schools across the state, access to quality medical care for everyone, jobs with wages that can sustain a family, and ensuring the restoration of the core community services once funded by local government aid. I want a governor who will support self evident justice for all Minnesotans.
I know Matt, and I know he has done this and will continue to do this. In my opinion Matt Entenza is the best choice for every region of Minnesota, and that makes him the best choice for rural Minnesota.
Co-chair of Matt Entenza's campaign committee, DFL activist Deb Hogenson farms with her husband near Brewster and operates a small business offering case management for people with disabilities.
Photo: Deb Hogenson (right) from the Matt Entenza for Governor campaign website. Also pictured are her husband Douglas Bauman (left) and their son Paul Hogenson Bauman (rear).
Other posts in the series:
The only thing Matt "Nixon" Entenza envisions is back dated United (we fight) Health Care (reform) that his wife stole from the poor.
Posted by: btwobomber | Oct 19, 2009 at 07:05 AM