"Minnesota is the best state in the country to watch illustrated commentary!"

My favorite book is Voltaire's Candide because, while I'm an optimist and insist that a proactive attitude can lend itself to the belief that we live in "the best of all possible worlds," I find it important to maintain a healthy sense of critical consciousness and accordingly, to regularly poke fun at myself. Since I often (and on this blog) tout Minnesota as ranking high across the board in quality-of-life indicators, David Gilette's illustrated essay, "Life According to Lists," thumbs its nose at me. And I can't resist sharing the fun. See for yourself:

Oh yes, it's caucus night. And the feeling's right.

Sure, it's Groundhog Day, but do you know what will determine the next six weeks (and beyond) politically more than whether or not that little critter sees its shadow? You, at your local caucus. As the Star Tribune notes, the few who show up tonight get the first shot at shaping the issues and races that will define this year - and can help to narrow the governor's race that currently boasts a field of 25. Despite 2010 not being a presidential or senate election year, which helps to draw greater participation, it is still a critical time for Minnesota in determining what comes next - in policy, politics, and the Governor's Mansion. Want to make your political move? Find out where by using the Precinct Caucus Finder, a tool developed by the Secretary of State’s office with cooperation from Minnesota's political parties, for a one-stop, easy-to-use online search tool. Read the FAQs below to learn more about caucusing or visit the Secretary of State online for more details. Don't leave your political destiny up to the Groundhog - you can have your say in what these coming weeks and months will bring.

Caucus FAQ Precinct caucuses are meetings organized by Minnesota’s political parties to begin the process of selecting candidates for the 2010 election and policy positions to shape the party platform. Caucuses are held in locations across Minnesota, are open to the public, and participation is encouraged. Q: What is a precinct caucus? A: A caucus is a meeting organized by Minnesota's political parties where citizens can engage each other in a conversation about which candidates to support in the 2010 election and what public policy positions should be adopted as part of the party's platform. Q: Who can attend a caucus? A: Precinct caucuses are open to the public and participation is encouraged by the political parties. In order to vote, offer resolutions or become a delegate at a precinct caucus, attendees must be eligible to vote in the 2010 general election, live in the precinct, and be in general agreement with the principles of the political party. Q: What do caucus attendees do? A: • Discuss public policy issues and pass resolutions. Caucuses provide a forum for citizens to engage their neighbors in conversation on a wide range of public policy and political issues. Attendees may also offer and vote on resolutions to shape the party's platform. • Vote in a straw poll. Political parties may conduct a straw poll to gauge caucus attendees' candidate preferences for state or federal elected offices. • Elect precinct officers. Caucus attendees elect officers who will be responsible for organizing political activities within the precinct. • Elect delegates. Caucus attendees elect delegates and alternates to represent their precinct at the political party's county or district convention. District convention delegates, in turn, elect delegates to the political party's congressional and state conventions. Delegates influence which candidates and policy positions their party ultimately endorses. Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

January is National Mentoring Month!

January is National Mentoring Month and I'd be remiss to not profile Kids 'n Kinship before Groundhog Day. I've served on the board of directors for the past 2 years and been greatly privileged to be a part of its critical work.

Kids 'n Kinship's mission is to provide friendships to children ages 5-16 who are in need of a positive role model.

Kids ‘n Kinship:

* Connects volunteers with children who need a positive adult role model

* Supports the volunteer and child relationship as they have fun together

* Provides for safe and successful mentoring

* Serves children in the following communities: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount.

Kids 'n Kinship is a prevention-based mentoring program focused on youth in Dakota County in need of a positive role model. The youth, ages 5-16, are matched with a volunteer role model, who spends time with them on a weekly basis building upon their resiliency. Many of the children that Kids 'n Kinship serves are coming from home situations where there are issues that get in the way of their healthy development. This may include stresses of single parenting, financial worries, alcoholism, depression, incarceration, or abuse issues.

When youth are taught skills, interests, and hobbies, and are provided positive adults with whom to interact, the community is the beneficiary. Because the youth's time is structured, they have less unsupervised time, are engaged in healthier activities, have a sense of belonging to a community, and have a better respect for life. Other benefits are that youth report a positive connection to an adult mentor, that youth matched with volunteers will experience less isolation, and that there is an absence or decrease in serious behaviors reported.

Research has shown that the distinguishing factor in children who do not become violent perpetrators is a good attachment to a caring adult. This is Kids 'n Kinship's mission: to provide friendships to children in need of positive role models.

Does this sound like something you'd like to be a part of? For more information on becoming a mentor, see a recent Star Tribune article, "Seventy children are waiting for their role models," or visit the Kids 'n Kinship website. Mentoring is a great way, any time of year, to make a difference in the life of a child.

Climbing the Ridge

one step / one step / i stop / i take one breath / one breath / warm sun above / white snow / below i breathe / i take / one step / one step 

 -Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer 

"Climbing the Ridge"

Save GAMC and it may save you.

The countdown on the Fix It Now MN website is at 38 days, 6 hours, 44 minutes, and ticking until GAMC (General Assistance Medical Care) ends. Providing health care coverage for the poorest of the poor in Minnesota, GAMC was eliminated by Governor Pawlenty via a line item veto at the end of the last legislative session.

Over 33 years ago, the Minnesota State Legislature created GAMC to avoid shifting the costs of medical care for the poorest Minnesotans to those who have health coverage. On March 1, 2010, over 35,000 Minnesotans will lose their basic health safety net. These individuals, on average, make less than $8,000 annually and most earn less than $2,700 each year. The loss of GAMC is a health care coverage issue, a public safety issue, a social justice issue, as well as an economic issue.

Currently, Minnesota hospitals and clinics provide $462 million in uncompensated care. Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital are the only hospitals obligated by state law to provide care for the poorest Minnesotans, regardless of whether they are reimbursed for that care. Unless legislators act quickly in the coming weeks, these hospitals will be forced to raise the $380 million needed through alternative means. Without another program or funding stream, hospitals face two options: Pass the cost on to other health care consumers or eliminate vital medical services that we all benefit from, including burn treatment centers and Level I adult and pediatric trauma centers.

To learn more about GAMC and to urge your legislators to ensure health coverage for the poorest of the poor in Minnesota, visit Fix It Now MN or the Save GAMC coalition. Act fast - there's only 38 days, 6 hours, 43 minutes, 26 seconds until GAMC is eliminated.