Soldiering On

I’m sure you have been tracking end of session negotiations this past week. And Amanda’s commentary on Thursday about being silo’d certainly resonated with me. Folks, I feel compelled to share with you what’s been on my mind these last 2 weeks: we may be down, but we are NOT out.
 
Living within a democracy requires that we make room for positions that are wildly different from our own. What I know is, despite my vociferous opposition to several of the final reports coming out of conference committees, that all who serve this great state – in whatever capacity – do so because we care deeply about our future. I haven’t yet figured how to ensure that service is more collaborative.
 
Read more in my blog…
 
This month my personal life has been consumed by a family tragedy. One of my brothers, not yet 60 years old and a U.S. Army veteran, died suddenly.  The remaining 7 of us, spread out across the world, came together to honor his life, bury him at Fort Snelling, and talk about our future “one man down.” In this little family, too, are wildly divergent views on what we need for a more healthy, connected future. And yet we all care deeply about that future.
 
People puzzle me.
 
What’s on my heart and mind is that we can’t give up. Whatever it is we care deeply about, whatever we feel called to advocate for, we must continue doing that thing. No government is healthy absent strong, loyal opposition. If that’s the role of business right now, to thoughtfully oppose policy we are deeply concerned about, then so be it. But we will not give up. We will continue to wrestle, to advocate for, to represent the positions that support a thriving economy – one that facilitates a strong business climate. If you are familiar with Simon Sinek’s concept of the “infinite game,” know that we continue to work to be better than we were yesterday. And we want the state to be better than IT was yesterday. That is the work we continue, on your behalf.

See you in the trenches,
B