HPR Election Guide

As is our tradition, HPR offers our readers a condensed voter guide for Tuesday’s General Election. Be these suggestions fodder for healthy debate—or, as some would suggest, the kiss of death—the most important message to each of you is to get off your duff and vote, dammit.

If you want change—like we do—and are in the mood to demand it, this list will resonate well with you. If you like the status quo, so be it. As we look ahead to change and advocate for it, you’ll note that few incumbents survive the cut.

For President, Barack Obama. Regardless of your political stance, this is a candidate who has inspired a groundswell of public support from young and old alike. More importantly, however, is the new era his historic candidacy ushers in—as the country’s first black candidate for the highest office in the land.

Although forecasters predict that it is nigh impossible for North Dakota to go blue and vote Obama, we are hopeful that there will be a chorus of voices calling for change on the national front. The current state of affairs in the U.S. is dismal to say the least—change is essential. The Obama team delivers that with zest, skill and inspiration.

For Governor, Tim Mathern. While we appreciate the relatively liberal bent of two-term incumbent Gov. John Hoeven, we believe he should have moved on to broader horizons. The back-to-back overtaxing, record deficit-building leadership has resulted in a disproportionate shouldering of education locally by property taxes, as opposed to adequate state funding. We hold Hoeven accountable, as well as the GOP leadership in our state’s legislative assembly.

With Hoeven already alluding to a run for the U.S. Senate, we say do it already and let someone else run the governor’s office. Mathern is capable, ready, balanced and poised. We vote for change.

For Congress, Earl Pomeroy. While we are at times disappointed that Earl Pomeroy lacks the courage to tackle important issues and instead joins the pack of lemmings running us over the cliff, i.e. the Iraq War and the recent federal bailout, we feel that, in the end, he will be effective collaborating for change on a national level, particularly after the Obama effect ripples out and contributes to upset victories for Democrats left and right.

For Public Service Commissioner, Cheryl Bergian. We’ve known and respected Bergian for several years, mostly as the head of the most visible and effective human rights organization in the state. An attorney with a history of fighting for the civil rights of minorities and the downtrodden, she is a perfect fit for the PSC, where we need a fighter for the little people.

For Insurance Commissioner, Jasper Schneider. A capable, solid and respected young leader, Schneider is breaking ground that will afford ordinary people more voice in a department very important to our health and welfare. A sensible voice on WSI and worker safety and protection, we look forward to Schneider taking the voice of the people to the insurance department. Not an incumbent; this is change we can embrace.

For Superintendent of Public Instruction, Max Laird. While we have always respected incumbent Wayne Sanstead’s political resiliency, we believe it’s high time for new leadership on the education horizon in North Dakota. A disproportionate number of people we know in education are pleading for change. We agree.

For State Auditor, Daryl Splichal, definitely not the incumbent. Bob Peterson is respected and repeatedly electable, following in the footsteps of Bob Peterson senior. But the office of State Auditor should not be a dynasty. It’s simply overdue for someone new to hold that office, if for no other reason than to have some change once in a while. This is the year for that change.

For District 46 Representatives, Dennis Edwards and Pearce Tafft, and for District 46 Senator, Diane Rae Hill. For District 44 Representatives, Bob Jansen and Janice Benson Johnson, and for District 44 Senator, Allan Branstiter. For Cass County Commission, Jake “Dewey” Weber.

Measure 1, vote yes. The permanent oil trust fund is what North Dakota has needed for years. We can finally learn from Wyoming and Alaska and bank oil revenues, while not depriving the general fund at all.

Measure 2, vote no. The passage of income tax relief will deprive property owners of necessary property tax relief, we predict.

Measure 3, vote yes. We support Heidi Heitkamp’s proposal to dedicate tobacco lawsuit money to education, prevention and to people.

Measure 4, vote yes. This measure begins the process of correcting wrongs in policy development that led to workmen’s comp calamities and a meltdown of public trust, by putting responsibility for WSI back in the public arena.

As you can tell, HPR’s laundry list for November 4 calls for change at almost every level. We sincerely believe this can happen, nationally and locally. Regardless, cast your vote as you see fit.

And, just for fun, feel free to join HPR at our Election Returns Party above Dempsey’s in The Aquarium on Tuesday night from seven o’clock.

November Birthdays

Happy birthday to the following this month: Joel Heitkamp, Jamie Thorfinnson, Nicci Deconcine, Brett Bernath, Jo Grover, Judith Feist, John Peterka, Aaron Skjerseth, Erin Ceynar, Kervin Wyatt, Louis Hamilton, Jim Gompf, Keith Elston, Mark Durcop, John Hanson, Mary Strand, Jon Cossette, Octavio Gomez Jr., Heidi Selzler Echola, Dolly Stromstad, Erin Morgan, Roger Demers, Barbara Burgum, Terri Aldrich, Diane Minor, Fred Hagen, Alice Smette, Jeff Nelson, Jack Lubka, Jeff Pearson, Kathy Wentz, Brad Berger, Tama Smith, Larry Biri, Jason (Mobey) Moberg, Andrea Heldt, Darren Shaw, Linda Coates, and Mark Gilbertson.