Editorial: A chance to get informed

Talk about it

We may be less than a week into 2010, but it’s already abundantly clear it’s an election year.

Further proof of that will be offered Thursday night in Worthington, when Nobles County Republicans are scheduled to host a candidates’ forum for gubernatorial hopefuls.

The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the Worthington High School cafeteria, and it’s difficult to predict attendance numbers at this point. But while one potential factor is completely understandable — snow and dangerous wind chills are in the forecast (conditions that may ultimately postpone the event) — the factor of apathy isn’t as excusable.

Anyone who doesn’t realize the extremely difficult budget crisis in which Minnesota currently finds itself needs to start paying attention. The state’s red ink rubs off on every citizen in some way, shape or form, and all of us as taxpayers should owe it to ourselves to care at least a little.

Perhaps that caring starts with attending a candidates’ forum such as the one Thursday night. Sure, the event features strictly Republican candidates, but we’d like to believe that any candidate for elected office — regardless of party affiliation — can offer a unique point of view on at least one issue. If anything, a forum such as this offers the opportunity for attendees to ask questions, or simply listen ... and, of course, depart at any time they wish.

A new year can reflect a renewed opportunity to become further involved. Here’s such a chance.

Tags: opinion, editorials, minnesota, politics, candidates, governor