This is an open letter to the media and to all candidates for public office — local, state and federal — Democrat, Republican or Independent. I’m 81 years old and have lived through a lot of elections. The campaigning times are getting longer and more expensive. And, all of this, at a time when communication technologies have never been better. Our political process, especially during the last 20 years, is an insult to the voting citizens. Just think of all the problems that could be solved with just half of the time and money spent on campaigning. Enough is enough! To all candidates, I am not all interested in how bad your opponent is. And I don’t want to read about it every day, watch it on every TV news broadcast all week, nor be drawn into social media sites on the internet.

What I am interested in is, specifically, what you personally plan to do to:

• Put the country or state on a sound economic track

• Stop political gridlock the country and states have been in for far too long

• Put the country first and political party second

• Reverse our enormous debt overload

• Develop a realistic international presence and positive image

• Limit the amount of time and money spent on campaigning

I’m also very interested in what kind of skills and experiences you possess in:

• Striving for consensus in a diverse group setting

• Developing effective public/private partnerships

• Collaborating with those who have different views from yours

I’m nearing the end of my life’s journey but I am very concerned about the future of my grandchildren and all of the young people who have many years to live. This country is on an unstable course and we all know it. Please give us real information on which to make voting decisions.
Jerry Monson

Owatonna