The John Adams Society

Joshua R. Regnier

Chairman

Theresa R. Paulson

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Katey Haflund

Chancellor

APRIL 2015

“When you win an election, what you really win is a chance to go to work for families who need a voice in Minnesota.”

– Al Franken

DUCK, DUCK, GREY DUCK. Minnesotans have always marched to the beat of a different ethical drum. We are expected to appear friendly to each other, but not be intrusive. We must help each other, but not judge. We must empathize for each other, but show no tears. Minnesotans dub this ethical theory as “Minnesota nice.” Under Minnesota nice, Minnesotans use politics to meet these ethical goals. Minnesotans consider the government as a third party that enables Minnesotans to appear friendly, helpful and empathic without also appearing intrusive, judgmental, or emotional. 

As “Minnesota nice” is not an official political-ethical theory, Minnesotans mislabel the theory as “liberalism.” Under the label of liberalism, Minnesotans created governmental entities which enable the people without being intrusive, judgmental, or emotional. In theory, liberal legislators claim emblazoned, and empathetic icons who appear friendly, helpful and empathetic. Thus, liberalism merely asks the government to assume the Minnesota nice ethical duty that each person owes to others. In turn, people need only pay the bill. No more worrying about donating to charity. No more volunteers needed at the soup kitchens. No more pro bono work. If people merely paid the taxes required, then someone else will do the charitable work out of sight. In fact, people no longer have to think about other people, they only need to think about money. 

ON THE OTHER HAND, Minnesotans live in a society together. There are people in every neighborhood who are struggling. Some struggle with feeding and clothing their family. Some struggle with learning their jobs. Some struggle with keeping a roof over their head and the heat paid. Our duty is not to fulfill a charitable desire but a civil act necessary for ordered society. Our duty is to help a person struggling with their basic needs. This duty does not end merely because we wrote a check to a third party. If we, as Minnesotans, recognize an ethical duty to be friendly, helpful, and empathetic as a common core of our State, then we must as individuals act on that duty beyond footing a bill. It is not government that must help the weak, but each of us as people living in an ordered society. The essence of Minnesota nice is an ethical standard that could never be successfully passed onto the state. Instead, we must embrace our Minnesota nice ideals, smile, and go to work to improve our community.

THE CHAIRMAN, unassertively serving hotdish and jello salad, has called a debate to settle the question.

RESOLVED: Liberalism is the necessary consequence of Minnesota nice!

The Debate will be held on April 15, 2015, 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. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (651) 321-8414 or the Secretary at (651) 321-8896.