The congressional election this year has taken on special meaning across the country. It's not just about this candidate or that candidate, it is also considered a referendum on the direction our government is taking. It is about the agenda of the Democratic leaders in Congress, who control the White House, the House and the Senate.
In the past two years we have seen skyrocketing federal budget deficits surpassing the $1 trillion mark. We understand what challenges faced the incoming Obama administration, the financial industry crisis that it was forced to address even before Obama took office, and the auto industry crisis that led to the unprecedented bailout package. We know the challenges posed by the high cost of health care that led to the health care reform act.
We don't agree, however, with the solutions that were rammed through because of the Democratic control of Congress and the White House.
That brings us to the First District race. Tim Walz of Mankato has been an energetic Congressman for the past four years, extremely active in addressing things like veterans issues. Right now, however, the country needs to put a brake on the runaway government before it drives the nation into bankruptcy.
The best way to do that is restore some balance in government. Walz is a Democrat, and sending him back to Congress will help keep Democrats in control of the House.
We recommend the First District send Republican Randy Demmer to Congress.
Demmer could be part of a new Republican-controlled House that hopes to restore some fiscal restraint and responsibility to Washington.
Demmer's qualifications go deeper than the "R" behind his name. He is a successful businessman who knows what kind of challenges and questions businesses are facing. He has experience in local politics as a Hayfield school board member, and state politics as a state representative. He believes, as we do, that government's job is not to take care of us, but to make it possible for people to take care of themselves.
Demmer is looking for government to bring some stability to the tax code, to allow businesses to unleash the growth that has been pent up by uncertainty over the past few years.
Our country cannot continue down the path we are on. It is time to change direction.