Sandra Masin's Blog

There is hope in dreams, imagination and in the courage of those who wish to make those dreams a reality. 

by Jonas Salk

“I alone  cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to make many ripples.”

Mother Teresa

I just attended the Tribal-State Relations Training and learned a lot.  The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa hosted this event that involved  Tribal Leaders and MN  House of Representative Members.

We have eleven tribes in Minnesota- four Dakota and seven Ojibwe. Each tribe is a sovereign nation. One of the goals of the training is to increase awareness of the unique relationships and complex issues shared across tribal, state, and federal governments. Some of the topics included were treaties, language revitalization, Tribal Lands,  boarding schools, and current concerns. There is much to learn and this training is meant to continue on  into the future so that we are able to work on issues more effectively and efficiently.

The door to the human heart can be opened only from the inside.

Anonymous

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Listening to the impeachment hearing this past week has brought back terrible memories of January 6th. The vote in the Senate today was more than disturbing and depressing. Looks like Trump was right, he can commit murder and get away with it.

It seems hard to justify the Republican Party as  a legitimate political party anymore. The members are lacking in reason, responsibility, or ethics.

The vicious attack on the U.S. Capitol this past Wednesday creates lots of opportunities for reflection.

First, the fact that so many of these people in the attack came prepared to engage in violence while some carried the United States flag is amazing.  These are competing symbols when attacking the seat of democracy. Who would harm someone just because they disagreed with you? I thought the highlight of our country was the ability to discuss our differences and come to some form of compromise.  In recent years, “compromise” seems to be totally objectional  to some populations. It often seems characteristic of people who seem unable to deal with facts, with science, with any form of truth. They claim to be patriots, yet they seem to be ignorant of  laws and history. They are willing to listen to lies and act accordingly. They are too lazy to do research and seek the truth.  What I find hard to understand is that we spend lots of money in this country to educate our population and yet too many of our citizens seem to ignore processes for reasonable decision-making.

Secondly, the fact that people are being elected who have little knowledge or respect for our laws and public institutions is hard to understand. Certainly the actions of some of these misguided or incompetent individuals was evident this past Wednesday and even before.   The priorities of elected officials should be public safety! Over these past months, the number of public officials who have ignored reasonable procedures to deal with COVID is more than evident. How many people have to die and suffer before these officials start taking their responsibilities seriously?  There is nothing patriotic or reasonable in the actions of the people who deliberately cause harm or allow harm to happen on their watch.

The list goes on and on. This is an issue that everyone needs to be thinking about and helping to find the solutions. As the saying goes ” If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

I hope you have been enjoying the holiday season. While COVID has placed restrictions on some of our normal celebrations, I have been impressed with the creativity that families, religious institutions, and the media  have shown to make  celebrations possible and meaningful.

2020 is a year we will long remember for good and bad reasons, including life under COVID, protests, and never-ending campaigns. The good news is our democracy has survived and we are making progress on the health care side.

I want to wish you all a Very Happy New Year!

Please stay safe.

While COVID  has forced us to celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday a little differently this year, there is still much that we have  and for which we should be grateful. This small prayer can help us focus.

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE THINGS

Thank you, God, for little things

that often come our way-

The things we take for granted

but didn’t mention when we pray-

the unexpected courtesy,

the thoughtful, kindly deed-

A hand reached out to help us

in the time of sudden need-

Oh make us more aware, dear God,

of little daily graces

That come to us with “sweet surprise”

from never-dreamed-of places.

Author Unknown

The activity for the election in November 2020 was long and arduous and it is continuing in some states.

I want to commend everyone that made sure their voice was heard and their  vote was counted. Minnesota is again leading in voter turnout.

I particularly want to express my appreciation to everyone that voted for me and helped with our campaign. I am honored to be returning to the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent the people in District 51A. There is much to do and I look forward to working to provide a better future for all.

Election Day 2020 is here! Here’s hoping for a positive election here in Minnesota and across the country.

It is a beautiful sunny day, so that should be a plus.

I started with one SIDEWALK RALLY at 7:30 a.m. at Diffley& Diamond, then Blackhawk & Cliff, and last one at Pilot Knob &  Yankee Doodle.