Posted on 04/25/2010 4:43:27 AM PDT by Walter Scott Hudson
The recent hubbub over the "revelation" of Tom Emmer's previously known and easily Googled DWI charges from 19 and 29 years ago highlight an ideological difference between Emmer and opponent Marty Seifert. The distinction was drawn by Seifert himself, in reference to a bill Emmer sponsored in 2009 which "would have delayed license revocation and other administrative sanctions for suspected drunken drivers until a conviction or guilty plea" and "would have made DWI records private data after 10 years." Seifert was quoted in the Marshall Independent, saying he would not vote for the bill.
Delaying punishment until guilt is proven is a defining aspect of a free society. While it is surely politically popular to take a hard stance against drunk driving, the conduct of government ought to be uniformly concerned with the protection of rights.
Seifert's position is reminiscent of a March debate at Armstrong High School in Plymouth. In a relatively uncontroversial moment, Seifert indicated support of raising the drop-out age to 18 in an effort to improve graduation rates. In these cases, Emmer's DWI bill and Seifert's concern for education, Seifert's positions seem outcome-based rather than principle-based. The projected outcome of preventing a drunk driver from harming another justifies preemption of due process. Likewise, the projected outcome of more students graduating high school justifies forcing them to attend. I find both these projections suspect. Are we really to believe students fail for lack of coercion? The larger issue, however, is whether our candidates' views should be determined by principles of just governance, or a desire for particular outcomes.
Progressives are outcome-based, excited by what government might do if unleashed, rather than bound to its proper limited role. Marty Seifert is not a progressive. However, these positions seem to indicate a willingness to leverage government to affect outcomes politically correct among conservatives. The problem with doing so is the resulting precedent, legitimizing the application of government toward ensuring outcomes rather than fulfilling a rightful role.
One of the reasons I support Tom Emmer is his advocacy of principled governance, asking first what government can rightly do, and only then considering what may be accomplished. I give that stance significantly more weight than a mistake made the year I started preschool.
I don’t get why trying to ease dropout rates is a major concern. The people who choose to drop out of school do so o their own volition. Forcing them to remain in school only ruins the educational experience for the children who actually do want to learn, especially if that “force” involves the lowering of academic standards so that more of the potential drop outs are more likely to graduate.
What you’re saying is that Seifert is a republican and that Emmer is a conservative.
The good news is the DFL just nominated a tax and spend liberal so either one is the better choice.
Quadruple Ditto.
At my old HS in Chicago, which was a very good school with good teachers, and an almost non existent drop out rate 'back then', it became a cesspool of illiterates due to "changing demographics"This is the same Arne Duncan whose now Barry's Secretary of Education! And with him in charge the children are DOOMED. Arne Duncan is a typical liberal Moonbat who does everything by 'feelings'.Well the school finally got a new Principle who just happened to be a Music Teacher there when I was a Senior. He wanted to bring the school back to what it was, or as close as humanly possible today. So he cracked down. No more promotions with all F's, no 'social promotions', or for non attendance. And gang-bangers got the boot.
Naturally the drop rates went through the roof, students didn't pass or graduate, and the 'parents' raised a stink. (I think so anyway. They don't speak English so I'm assuming here) (HUGH sarc)
After about three years of 'cracking down' he got FIRED by Arne Duncan for having a high drop out rate and a low graduation rate.
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