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The Minnesota Daily

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The Minnesota Daily

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Ventura’s ‘Big Plan’ sound, lacks details

On Monday, Gov. Jesse Ventura outlined the second part of his agenda for Minnesota, titled the “Big Plan.” While he offers some prudent suggestions, much of this second installment is only a vague pronouncement of his belief that individuals should be self-sufficient from government. This second installment expresses some good intentions, but ultimately, it lacks any information or details about how the suggestions would be implemented.
The second installment of the “Big Plan,” titled, “You’re gonna make it on your own,” further illustrates Gov. Ventura’s philosophy of self-sufficiency and his desire to reduce the size of government. The plan includes suggestions for helping people move from welfare to employment, establishing a health care system that rewards people for healthy behavior, using settlement money from the state tobacco trials for health improvements and providing educational opportunities for workers in need. Also included are suggestions to assist the elderly with independent living and pleas that parents be more responsible and involved when raising their children.
Gov. Ventura’s “Big Plan” is an attempt to codify his personal theory of the government’s responsibilites, but it suffers from being only a collection of vague statements. It is important that the increasing population of senior citizens receives assistance to live at home and that workers have lifelong educational opportunities, but plans need substance and details of how they might be accomplished — important components that are absent from Ventura’s proposals. Any plan can suggest vast improvements in all areas of life, but without detailed structures, it cannot be implemented.
Despite the lack of substance in the second installment, however, there are a few good ideas. One of the priorities is a thorough and effective health care system, which is important to all Minnesota citizens. Ventura’s plan would provide health coverage to the 70,000 children who are not covered, a gesture that would help an important and unnecessarily neglected population. Another important suggestion is that the workers should be able to receive further education when it is needed or desired for a change of occupation. These educational opportunities will be compatible with technological advances during the next century, according to Gov. Ventura.
The second installment of the “Big Plan” contains many good intentions. However, without specifically delineating how these intentions will be accomplished, it is of little practical value to Minnesota residents. Similar to Gov. Ventura’s recent comments about religion, his “Big Plan” attracts attention but has little substance behind it. Gov. Ventura should have applied his prioritization of self-sufficiency to his proposal, because without any details, the “Big Plan” cannot survive on its own.

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