Gov. Mark Dayton has certainly perfected the political art of pitting groups against each other in pursuit of his agenda. Consider the following messages from our governor:

1. Income warfare = “tax the rich.”

2. Regional warfare = mayors versus legislators.

3. Worker warfare = public employees v. private employees.

4. Class warfare = keep telling people they are poor and that job providers are too rich.

It appears that the governor is determined to protect the status quo (and his campaign funding sources) in blocking any real reform of state government.

This “us versus them” mentality is destructive and will not solve our state’s long-term woes. We (Minnesotans) are in this mess together and need to solve it together.

The next few weeks, the Senate and House will be making agonizing decisions to right size and reform state government. Resist the “us versus them” temptation and remember that our elected officials have a duty to work for all of us.

Matt Benda

Albert Lea