TO THE EDITOR:

I was once asked which task of city government is the most important. Maybe economic development, public works or fire? The person asking was a cop and their suggestion was that police was the most important function of local government. You can have all the best infrastructure and economic development policies around but if residents and businesses don’t feel safe, they won’t come into your community. As we saw in the Minneapolis riots, even the fire department won’t respond in certain circumstances. After thinking about it for a while I had to agree.

Although Minneapolis has not officially defunded their police department, we’re getting a glimpse of the lawlessness that is to come. The failure of this dry run combined with polling which shows most folks supporting the police has Democrats scrambling. Instead of using the word “defund”, they are now saying we need to “reinvent” or “reimagine” the police. Make no mistake – defunding the police is exactly what they intend to do and what will be pursued if Democrats are elected at any level of government.

As this is conservative country, many Democrat candidates who run locally are more conservative than their liberal colleagues. Some have even removed the word Democrat from their printed material. Do not be fooled! They may be moderates, however their leaders in St. Paul and Washington are not. And the leaders drive the agenda.

Trump may not be your favorite candidate, however public safety is on the ballot this election and we have two choices: Minneapolis or not. Even if you have to plug your nose while voting and never mention it to your Kennedy loving grandmother, please join me in voting Republican this November. 

Rick Hendrickson
Becker, MN