Worth Repeating

Recently Free Press writer, Tim Krohn did an article about the retirement of Senator Dennis Fredrickson. Senator Fredrickson was my senator at one point in his 30 year career. He is one who receives and deserves much admiration. His background was that of being a farmer and also a former county commissioner. I believe that is why he has had such a stellar career and why he is one of a dieing breed. By that I mean he is one of the few statesmen left in St. Paul as opposed to many politicians. His vote on the gas tax is an example. He and Senator Dille were the only Republicans in the Senate to vote in favor.
Krohn's article shares much worth repeating. "Fredrickson's sense of public service was forged from the nearly lost concept that common good trumps self or party." The Senator is quoted as saying, "on the large issues like taxes and spending, it's certainly gotten more partisan and the lines more firmly drawn." Going on the article states, "The chief reason, he (Fredrickson) believes is the cacophony of media today. The instant communications we have and the non-stop discussion of politics in the media, on cable, the Internet---people hear these issues and take sides. Extreme opinions are expressed and people aren't always discerning about that they're hearing."
Again quoting the article, "the solution, he says---no matter how unlikely---is for a more informed public with people looking at in-depth stories in newspapers and magazines rather than listening to the rhetoric and sound bites on their TV or cell phones." Amen to that.
Thank You Senator Fredrickson for being a friend of agriculture, water quality, and small business. We need more like you in St. Paul. end