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If this past weekend’s tone set by the politicians was any indication, we are in for a very ugly, nasty campaign for president, as well as other offices. Many of the Democratic candidates for president were either in the Twin Cities or there via TV hookup and the main thrust of their messages seemed to be hell bent on bashing our sitting president. Also, over the weekend our State Attorney General Mike Hatch used a report in the Sunday Star Tribune about the current administration’s plan to possibly release sex offenders back into the populous. At his news conference, he attacked the governor’s budget cutting and cited that as the crux of all problems large and small.

Throughout time politicians have generally been getting more caustic in their campaigning, depending on negative information to attempt to sway the potential voters. A very wise older gentleman told me about 40+ years ago “that if you don’t have anything to say except something negative about your competition, then you really don’t have anything to say about yourself.” So very many times I have thought of that saying when listening, watching or reading about the campaigns of today.

I’m certainly not naive enough to believe that something magical is going to happen to change the way the system operates, but I would hope that at a point in the not too distant future that enough of us get our fill and let them all know and through some quirk of fate they will revert to dealing with issues that are important.

The other new phenomenon that I find more than a little unnerving is the public persona that some have taken on that allows them to take credit for just about everything good. Politicians are not the only offenders of this but they rank near the top. Any of us, who have had involvement in any type of community projects, knows that it is always the efforts of many who make it possible, but this new breed, when given the floor will nearly break their arms patting themselves on the back for all of the great things they have done. I probably shouldn’t whine for while they are not doing all of the work, at least we can hope that they are doing something positive, at least they will think they did.

To all of those of you out there who continue to volunteer for these events, thank you in knowing that your efforts are appreciated by most of us and even though you chose not to be in the limelight or others have stolen the limelight, keep up the good work and you will certainly get your reward in heaven, if not before.

All of this being said, brace yourself for what could be possibly the dirtiest campaign season ever. We have to get past that and get involved and hopefully elect people who really do give a damn about what is best for the majority regardless of that day’s political consequence.

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For all of us who fear that summer was never going to get here, you should be happy now. I think it’s great, after all summer should be like summer is supposed to be and around here that’s hot and humid. Hot and humid are mandatory for the Fourth of July and the County Fair, events that traditionally mark the mid-point of summer. Gee, bite my tongue for ever suggesting that we are near the mid-point of summer, but we are.

The Fourth of July, Independence Day, is the day set aside to honor the day our country was founded “officially.” For the past 227 years our flag, “Old Glory” has flown over our great country, and for the most part, flown proudly. In spite of the problems of the past, present and future, it is still a great place to live. A place where we have the freedom to do and say pretty much everything we want.

At the time of our nation’s birthday, it is time to renew our commitment to the cause of making this an even better place to live. It takes a lot of backbone and effort to stand up for what is right and to be a champion of that cause. While it may not seem so at the time, in the long run good will prevail. So, don’t give up, keep up the good fight and you can make a difference.

After your picnic, your playing and celebrating, and after the smoke of the fireworks has cleared, take a few moments to reflect on what Independence Day really does mean to you and your family. I believe that our forefathers had a vision of community and cooperation, something that gets a little off course from time to time, but always seems to get back to where it belongs.

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On the subject of community, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and 2, at Chisago Lakes High School. See the ad in this Press for complete details and time tables. Join a team of fundraisers, make a donation, buy a luminary in honor of a cancer victim or survivor, but do something to help. For more information, please contact Jody Sellman at 257-9366.

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As part of Karl Oskar Days, we are again sponsoring the Twilight Regatta for boats, or anything that floats, off the beach at Beach Park prior to the fireworks on Sunday evening, July 13. In years past we have had musical entertainment either on the shore or on a pontoon and would like to continue that tradition this year. If you or your friends play in a group that plays easy listening music, give me a call. We can maybe work something out.

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