Neopopulist Blog

Experts are  a hazard to the rule of law. 

Any person who can understand the plain meaning of words and has a sense of propriety can apply the rule of law.  In fact, any parent with multiple young children understands the challenge of needing to be understood and the importance of equal treatment -- both hallmarks of the rule of law.

Experts know more than the rest of us -- or, let me rephrase that.  Experts believe they know more than the rest of us.  This hubris is their fatal flaw.  By assuming they know more than us, they listen less to us.  Absent a keen ear to better ideas, the expert is left with out-of-fashion and worn-out ideas. 

Certainly, we don't look to experts for trends and fashions -- or do we?

For my part, neopopulists need to be wary of experts and expertism.   Neopopulists need to be democratic -- that is listeners to everyone.  Who knows who will have the next, best idea?  Will that next, best idea be the result of long years of study or a result of a casual observation from the least-prepared in the room?  We don't know. 

But, we know experts and their hubris retard progress  -- not make progress.

Comment (0) Read More...

As a general matter, neopopulists should expect the cold shoulder (or perhaps evil eye) from state legislators over the next few months.  The "per diem" litigation goes to the heart of the state legislative compensation system and exposes it for what is -- an abuse of the expense accounts.  Neopopulists, do not expect state legislators to do you any favors -- or give you the time of day.

Comment (0) Read More...

Upon further reflection and conversation with citizens of every political stripe, it seems logical that neo-populists should take a stand on public school official advocacy for school district tax referenda.  Just like military officers or judges,  sometimes when you take a government job you need to accept a muzzle on some of your First Amendment rights.  I think the Minnesota legislature should as a part of a public school teacher's contract have them agree not to advocate on school district referenda increasing taxes. 

What's happened lately is these referenda are becoming more controversial.  Inevitably, the superintendent, principals, administrators and teachers personalize the campaigns.  It get ugly.   Then, it gets uglier if the school district loses.  How would you like to be opposed to a referendum when your kid's teacher is supporting the referendum?

Neutralizing the public employes is the best way to restore sanity to these campaigns.

Comment (0) Read More...

The Hennepin GOP Committe held an extraordinary event in my home of Hamel yesterday -- at the Medina Entertaintment Center -- or Medina ballroom if you prefer.

It was no mere endorsing convention.  Due to many political reasons including a contest between two seasoned state politicians, probably a thousand people showed up to endorse candidates for county commissioner.  As the convention chair noted, there won't be a bigger GOP convention until the state convention.

From an aesthetic viewpoint, the event was amazing.  I drove up to the site to see the parking lot full, the turn lanes into the parking lot jammed, and a registration line extending outside of the building at least 200 yards. 

As I drove closer, I could tell people were not upset -- but happy, even joyful.  Here was a sane political party hosting a huge democratic event.  People were chatting, catching up and, shall I say, bonding.

I am told the event lasted over 5 hours.  I am sure at the end these sane and good people were similarly happy and joyful -- whether they won or lost. 

What a role model for every minute in our community life?

Homework:  Compare this essay to neoclassical economic's emphasis on market-based transactions in the community.   Particularly, compare to Adam Smith's view in the Wealth of Nations that it is not by the goodness of the butcher or the baker that we get our meat and our butter -- but by their self-interest.

Comment (0) Read More...

This week, I talked to prominent Ramsey County Attorney Kevin Quigley about his DFL Caucus.  The Quie Commission, headed by former Republican Governer Al Quie, supports getting rid of judicial elections as we know them. A proponent of the Quie Commission report put Quie Commission materials on every chair before the caucus and spoke in favor of a resolution.  Quigley spoke against. The resolution passed.

It is a sad day in Minnesota when a DFL precinct caucus -- even one -- votes to eliminate one of the few remaining means of political participation.

The DFL Party needs to straighten itself out on judicial elections.  The people want to elect the judges so that the judges are beholden to them -- not the bureaucrats, not the Governor, etc.

Comment (0) Read More...

Today, I was contacted by two newspaper reporters  in Ohio to discuss a community-sponsored judicial candidate debate in Madison County. 

The reporter wanted to know on what basis an incumbent district court judge could refuse to participate in the judicial candidate debate.  The judge had claimed that the ethical rules barred him from participation.

However, a phone call to the Ohio lawyers board showed that not to be true.   The Ohio lawyers board respected the neopopulist precedent of Republican Party of Minnesota v. White by stating the incumbent judge had First Amendment rights to participate in the debate. 

So, either the incumbent judge had a mistaken understanding of the ethical rules or he simply did not want to participate in the debate.

Before they got off the phone, I told them Minnesota's Quie Commission wanted to get rid of judicial elections as we know them -- because of costly judicial elections in places like Ohio and Texas.  They laughed.  They're greatful to have elections so they can choose their judges. 

Comment (0) Read More...

The John Adams Society had another successful debate on February 21, 2008.  The topic was "Resolved: The Constitution is Antiquated."  The speeches on both sides of the topic were excellent.  The resolution was narrowly defeated.  For more information on the John Adams Society, click on   http://www.johnadamssociety.org.

Comment (0) Read More...

Greetings.

Neopopulism is off and running.  I am amazed at how effective we already are. 

My view is the biggest political problem in Minnesota is elitism.  Elitism gets in the way of everything including democracy and the rule of law.  Please join our neopopulist efforts to obtain democracy and the rule of law for Minnesota.

Please visit this website often.

 egk

Comment (0) Read More...