State Representative David Bly, District 25B

Tuesday was Caucus night, and in Northfield, nearly 1,000 people turned out

and excitedly and optimistically shouted “YES!!!!” we’ve had enough, and we’re ready for change, and we’re going to make that change! It was an inspiring evening, seeing so many politically active people who want to change the direction of this country, and I am heartened by all the active local support for my candidacy and campaign. This is a great time to be a Democrat!

I was given a few minutes to address the crowd:

“It is good to be among so many Democrats. I want to thank you all for coming out to begin the process of taking back the white house and the state house. Have you had enough? Have you had enough of Republican policies and Republican lies. For those who don’t know me, my name is David Bly. I have been a teacher for almost thirty years in Minnesota. I ran for the state house two years ago, and I am once again running for the state legislature and will be pursuing the endorsement on March 30th.

Although the Minnesota House has a strong majority of Republicans, there is reason to feel optimistic about winning the house back. If 3% of voters had voted for Democrats instead of Republicans two years ago, there would be a Democratic majority in the Minnesota House. Had we not lost Paul and Sheila Wellstone, our standard bearers in the DFL party, to a plane crash in Northern Minnesota, there is a good chance that across the state Democrats would have increased their turn out by 10%, and the state might be very different.
There is no question we would have had the same problems, but Democrats would have dealt with them very differently. Both the House and Senate had proposals that would have avoided the shifts of taxes and increases and fees and saved cities and school districts from making horrible choices and cuts. We would not have closed the door on the poor and shut down the supports for small business and economic development. The Republicans have the advantage of being able to say “we solved the problem” because it is difficult to imagine what could have been had we been given the opportunity to solve the same problems in a more humane way. What we need are real solutions to increasing health insurance costs, real job growth, and education policies that will give us the schools we need, not shut down the schools we have.

Our country, and now our state, have come under the influence of old forces that desire to turn back the clock to what they consider a simpler time. A time before civil rights, when the majority ruled and the majority could look the other way on the rights of individuals. An earlier time when the rights of working people could be overlooked and the only people that mattered were the gilded rich. They judge the economy not by the effects it has on people but by the numbers. . . and the grosser the numbers the better. We are presented with averages that tell us that everyone is doing fine, when we know that the economic policies of those in power support the interests of a small sector of our society that shirks responsibility and tells the rest of us to work harder for less, because better times will come if we just close our eyes, hope and pass all of our debts on to our children and grandchildren.

But there is reason for some optimism because the silent masses are waking. People are beginning to believe again that we can change things — that we can make a difference.

I came upon a thought from Abraham Maslow when I was finishing my Master’s paper. Abraham Maslow is the psychiatrist who defined the hierarchy of needs. Maslow worked with young people, and he became astounded by the number of young people who, rather than forging ahead in life facing the tremendous challenges we face as a people, they demurred and said, “Oh, I could never do that. Oh, I am not strong enough or smart enough to do that.” He called this the Jonah syndrome. Jonah the reluctant prophet, swallowed by the whale. Faced with overwhelming odds he gave up. Maslow put the last years of his life into helping others see that embracing the challenges of life is how every great change in human history has come about.

As I look at my life, I know I have not done much. I have not made many changes. I have not touched many people, but I have challenged myself to see myself as that person that can make change, But I can’t do it alone. I need you with me, as we knock doors and pass out leaflets and take our votes to the polling places. So say with me. Overcome that voice of Jonah within you and say:

I will be that one. (I will be that one.)

That will make the change. (That will make the change.)

I will make a difference. (I will make a difference)

I will be that change. ( I will be that change.)”

After Northfield, I went to Belle Plaine, to meet with Democrats in the western part of 25b. Once again, the turnout there was well above that expected, and many were first time caucus attendees. There’s a movement afoot, and it seems to be a dynamic positive one, not an “anyone but Bush” drive, but an “I want to see things change, and I’m here to do my part” which is exactly what change will require. I spoke with my constituents and supporters there who were also inspired by the turnout. They cheered when I said I had just come from Northfield where we had almost 1000 attend. After the meeting, many approached me with concerns and ideas for making Minnesota better — one attendee said, he has been the only one at his precinct caucus for years, and this time there was a 400% increase (5 attended!). It’s those incremental changes that will turn this district, one where the election was decided by only 20 votes, 43 in the recount.

This is the year! Let’s get to work!