Letter to the Editor - June 26, 2011

The Norman County Fair wound down on Saturday, Jun 25, and at 5:00 pm I drew the names of those who won the quilts given away at the Norman County Republicans’ booth. A total of 85 people (59 from Norman County and 26 from outside Norman County) completed the entry forms and were eligible for the drawings. Rather than drawing the names myself, I asked people walking by or at other booths to draw the names for me.

The winners are: Beverly Walsberg from Borup for the red, white and blue quilt; Ben Fall from Twin Valley for the green and pink quilt; and Kristi Strom from Fargo for the child’s quilt.

The completed drawing entry forms included four questions, and I have compiled the results of that opinion poll. Please note that not all people answered all questions, so the percentages will not total 100-percent.

Question 1. Which do you believe is the best approach to create jobs and grow our economy? 12-percent said “Government subsidy”; 52-percent said “Lower taxes on businesses”; 9-percent said “Government stimulus”; 18-percent said “De-regulation.”

Question 2. What should government’s (Federal or State) response be towards solving budget shortfalls? 1-percent said “Government should borrow”; 6-percent said “Raise taxes of any kind or on any income level”; 91-percent said “Reduce spending.”

Question 3. Would you be in favor of or against legislation that would require voters to show their State or Federal ID to vote in elections? 80-percent said they would be in favor of showing ID and 14-percent said they would be against showing ID.

Question 4. To which Party do you generally think of yourself as being closer? 20-percent said “Democrat”; 39-percent said “Republican”; 21-percent said they “Vote based on the person”; 12-percent said they were “Independents”; and 8-percent said “Other”.

The thing that was most interesting to me was that both Democrats and Republicans seemed to agree on two issues: 91-percent said that government needs to reduce spending and 80-percent said that voters should be required to show a State or Federal ID when voting.

Thanks to everyone who stopped to register for the drawing. See you at the fair next year!