The progressive think tank Growth & Justice in cooperation with public television co-produced a documentary on Minnesota’s Progressive Republican Tradition. The program will air December 20 at 8 PM on TPT Channel 17 on broadcast, cable and satellite systems and channel 13 on Comcast in Minneapolis. The production is an extension of a symposium on the topic of Progressive Republicanism sponsored by Growth & Justice during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. The intent and timing of the program is not subtle. Minnesota faces a budget shortfall of $5.2 million, and Growth & Justice wants the state to raise taxes.
“Both Govs. (Al) Quie and (Arnie) Carlson (progressive Republicans by G&I definition) described themselves as fiscal conservatives but they increased taxes to address budget crises and to get the state back on track,” said Dane Smith in the G&I press release. “In light of the state’s projected budget deficit and Minnesota’s drop in numerous rankings that represent our quality of life, I hope current Republican leaders will look to leaders of years past for guidance during this difficult time.”
The MN Free Market Institute’s Craig Westover writes –
“The operative word in “progressive Republican” is “progressive.” “Republican” is the set of principles the “progressive Republican” no longer holds. He is in essence a “progressive” shunning the conservative principles of individual sovereignty, rule of law and private property, preferring to use the police power of the state for the collective good of the people at the expense of the inalienable rights of the person. The irony of Growth & Justice collaboration with “Public” Television notwithstanding, “progressive Republican” is a chimerical fiction. So is “progressive Democrat.” One believes in constitutionally limited government — in individual economic liberty and personal liberty protected by the rule of law — or one does not.”
Westover debated Smith on the Pioneer Press opinion page; those columns are found here. Westover also wrote a summary of the Growth & Justice symposium for MinnPost.com. That commentary is found here.
