After Minnesota tragedy, state leaders deserve our support

Because Minnesota has strict laws prohibiting even the smallest gifts to lawmakers, we literally can’t buy them a cup of coffee from Flava Café, but a phone call is free.Public service may look glamorous, but it’s drudgery, filled with long, headache-inducing meetings, phone calls and late hours. The work is made harder when it is not recognized or respected. Minnesota politicians have never needed our support more than right now. We don’t have to agree with them to show them our gratitude.It tore me up inside to see Melissa Hortman’s parents and her children at the Capitol vigil. But it did my heart good to know that they heard countless stories about the difference their remarkable daughter and mother made for so many people.My fellow Minnesotans, after the week we just had, ask not what your legislator can do for you, ask what you can do for your legislator. Let’s inundate their email inboxes with Minnesota Nice notes. Let’s write them so many supportive letters that the Capitol mailroom staff has to work overtime to get them all delivered. Let’s place so many kind calls to their offices that we jam up the phone lines. Whether it’s your county commissioner or your school board member, council woman or mayor, I challenge you to press past partisan politics and send a shoutout to your elected leaders.Don’t wait until a memorial to write about how much they mean to you. Do it now while they are here to appreciate your support.Sheletta Brundidge is a contributing columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She is a Twin Cities-based media personality, Emmy Award-winning comedian and radio host who aims to make you laugh and think. You can get more of Sheletta in her daily newsletter. Sign up for it on her website at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com.



Source link