Response to progressive nonsense

Dane Smith, a progressive Senior Policy Fellow and President Emeritus of Growth & Justice, wrote a commentary that was recently published in the Star Tribune editorial pages.  His commentary attempted to suggest more support for candidates with progressive public safety policies is warranted in Minnesota this November. 

See our letter of response below.

Dane Smith, in his 10/27/22 Star Tribune commentary, “Want to control crime?  Don’t turn Minnesota red,” gets it woefully wrong. 

While Smith is correct to suggest crime in the US is an embarrassing national problem, he misses the mark by suggesting progressive policies have been effective in reducing crime – anywhere.  One need only look at the deterioration of public safety in strongly held democrat cities to understand these progressive policies have failed dramatically. 

Whether it’s bail reform, police reform, the decriminalization of “minor” offenses, or the open encouragement of “autonomous zones,” progressive cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis have failed their citizens.   

Statistics that matter involve the measure of increases/decreases in crime after policies have been implemented.  In Minnesota, the 2018 elections ushered in key progressive candidates and public safety policies rooted in “destruction and reform.”  The state, which had experienced 22 years of steady reductions in crime, began experiencing a troubling shift in public safety – well before George Floyd or COVID. 

Since 2018, Minnesota has experienced a 36% rise in violent crime overall, and an 84% rise in murders, a 59% rise in aggravated assaults, and a 21% increase in robberies.

Dane Smith is wise to understand that crime will weigh heavy on the minds of voter’s this November.   His attempt to argue for more progressive control of our public safety systems, in the face of their woeful results, is desperate at best.