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Somalis in Minnesota: Choosing between Senator
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Along with hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans of every creed, race and religion, the bourgeoning Somali American community, which is concentrated in the twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, would go to the polls on November 4. In addition to casting votes for the first African American presidential candidate in the history of the nation, they would also choose between the incumbent Senator, Sen. Norman Coleman (Republican), and his challenger, Al Franken (Democrat).
The choice could not have been clearer.
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Al Franken |
Sen. Norman Coleman |
The two candidates stand opposite to each other on a myriad of issues as are, say, Sen. Phil Graham (former Texas Sen., Republican) versus Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, or McCain (Republican) versus Obama (Democrat), who are presidential candidates for 2008.
Electing a democrat from Minnesota is but a part of a new goal of the Democratic Party after a hiatus following the Reagan revolution of the 1980s.
In America, there are two main political tribes (Republicans and Democrats), each one determined to advance its values. Senator Coleman's Republican party often seeks to eliminate the safety net established during the good society of L. B. Johnson (Democrat); higher tax cuts for the rich, eliminate or limit access of the poor to health care, and a hawkish foreign policy where "might is right." (Senator Coleman is closely associated with the Bush doctrine, McCain and Lieberman foreign policy.)
On the contrary, the democratic party’s agenda includes the expansion of social programs for the poor, increasing the scope of immigrant family reunion legislation (in which case more Somalis would be able to sponsor more of their family members), and the fostering of public policies that mandate a living-wage for the workforce. To safeguard America's global interest the democrats often attempt to promote programs that help socially vulnerable groups (war-torn societies such as Somalis) and put more emphasis on diplomacy rather than on military solutions
Senator Coleman is a former (democratic) mayor of St Paul city, and a long anti "Vietnam war" activist. But, he defected to the Republican Party in the late 1990s and wrapped himself around the Regan Revolution -- a conservative revolution fueled by the power of evangelical values. Sen. Coleman eventually won the Senate seat he is currently defending only after the charismatic and democratic populist, Paul Wellstone, who was assured to win the senate seat hands down, died in an airplane crash in the waning days of the race.
Al Franken, on the other hand, is a satirist, author (e.g., Rush Limbaugh, a Big Fat Idiot...) and a radio talk show host. He is a foxy liberal democrat who, if elected, could help his party extend its lead in the Senate. If Obama wins the presidential race, and it appears that he is on his way to a solid win, unless the "Bradley effect" erodes his so far comfortable lead in the days close to November 4, Mr. Franken’s success would represent a huge victory for the democrats.
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Most Somali Americans, Somali Minnesotans in particular, know Sen. Coleman only through his association with Sen. Russ Feingold's (WI-D), S. 492, which, if enacted, would have established the "Somalia Stabilization and Reconstruction Act of 2007." But Senator Coleman did not show enough commitment and leadership to get enough law makers behind the legislation and make this initiative a law.
According to congressional records, the bill did not go any further and is probably dead in the backburner. In reaction to S. 492, "Local Somalis say though they appreciate the spirit of the senators, their proposal is lacking the diplomatic component critical for its success." (Minnesota monitor, Feb. 08, 2007). For all practical purposes, the good Senator did nothing so far for the Somalia issue. As a matter of fact, the main purpose of the bill was to do something in Somalia within the policy framework of the "war on terror." Nonetheless, it did not produce any fruit.
Outside this lame duck bill and several photo ops that he had taken with several visiting Somali leaders, some of them former warlords, and occasional reception of self-styled local leaders, the Senator's record on social, economic, and foreign policy are out of step with ordinary Somali Minnesotan.
Like most immigrant communities, Somalis in Minnesota should go to the polls with the following issues as their guide to casting their votes: Immigration reform, funding for a comprehensive public education, safe and secure neighborhood streets, subsidized housing and the future of the Supreme Court. Moreover, in casting their votes, Somali Minnesotans, most of whom would be going to democratic polls for the their first time, should not forget the devastating war in Iraq; the potential invasion of Iran should McCain win with a conservative Senate majority, and Bush's senseless "war on terror," which disproportionately impacted Somalia.
Senator Coleman, like his Republican associates voted against a number of social programs that Somalis in Minnesota and their family depend on, or partially take advantage of. There are no compelling reasons to believe that Senator Coleman if elected for a second term, will break ranks with the Republican agenda and advance issues that are so dear to the Somali community.
Another issue that is disconcerting to many voters is Sen. Coleman's campaign which has been marred by negative and personal attacks against his rival, similar to that of party fellow, Sen. McCain. Both are using scare tactics and distorted wedge issues, while ignoring real issues that confront main street voters.
But his challenger, Al Franken, a passionate progressive democratic, will, with the help of Somali American community, join the likes of Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and, if recent leads hold future president Obama, to reinvigorate Washington’s commitment to meaningful social programs.
The choice could not be clearer. The Somali community's familiarity with Senator Coleman notwithstanding, WarhdeerNews endorses his challenger, Al Franken, who is a better match with the aspirations of the Somali community in Minnesota.
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