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The John Adams Society

Mark S. Sanquist
Chairman

Ted L. Volk
Secretary

Peder Mewis
Chief Whip

Susan Smith
Chancellor

November 2010

Just because everything is different doesn’t mean anything has changed.

-   Irene Peter

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS ARE POPULAR AGAIN!  The tidal wave of red that swept across the nation on November 2nd celebrates our nation’s founding principles.  We elected politicians, and some political newcomers, who promise to honor those principles.  Even Minnesota joined in.  For the first time since 1972 we put conservatives in charge of both houses of the state legislature.

In recent years, the voters lost faith that Republicans would honor their campaign promises, and voted instead for those promising less partisanship, better government, hope and change.  The Republicans were chastened by the loss of the voters’ trust, and the voters were chastened by the take-no-hostages governing by the White House and Congress.  Nationally voters have now decided to switch back, and Minnesota voters rejected DFL candidates promising “sensible tax increases.”  Ole and Lena bet that the probability of another betrayal was lower with the Republicans.  We have kicked the blue-state blues, and have become a red state.

on the other hand, could Mark Dayton do so well in a real red state?  This was a wave election, but not a Republican wave.  Rather, the wave was those stalwart conservatives and Tea Party candidates who stood for our nation’s founding principles; most Republicans merely stood for office.  Though many Republicans won office, they did not win the voters’ approval.  They aren’t even good enough to be on probation.  The voters just preferred them to another poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

THE CHAIRMAN, unimpressed by pundits who sensed the general trend but still failed to predict Minnesota’s recovery from the blues, has called a debate to settle the question:

RESOLVED: Minnesota is a Red State

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 887-2553 or the Secretary at (612) 247-1212.

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