Dakota Beacon

At times like these, we could coin the phrase written by Charles Dickens in the beginning of his novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," “It was the best of times and the worst of times.” It all depends on your perspective.

The lens through which an individual looks at life quickly affects one’s perception of what is happening in the world around him. For example: You may see the recent announcements about candidates announcing intentions to “throw their hat in the ring” for governor of North Dakota as a precursor to chaos or a chance for North Dakotans to have a real choice this election cycle.

One of the establishment narratives is that the state GOP is out of control and being run by a bunch right wing nuts. I happen to disagree.

In regard to the last column I wrote, I would see it as a chance to exercise discernment on the part of you, the average voter. Listen to the rhetoric. Make some notes. Read some articles on a conservative vs. a moderate or liberal position on economics, role of government, individual rights and the definition of liberty and justice.

Examine your beliefs and ideas about how the world should work. Don’t give in to complacency or even laziness to find out where the candidates sit on issues and if they rely on a philosophy to guide their decisions. After all, this country was founded on the informed consent of the governed and grew into a bastion of opportunity and the individual pursuit of happiness! It is why people will risk everything to come here. We have to build fences to keep people out; we have no problems keeping them once they are here.

You are called upon from several corners of the world from Davos and the World Economic Forum to the dust-covered volumes of history to remind you what is important and what is true. You can sort through it, you can decide who would be the best president or governor or school board member. It’s your job to know and to vote your conscience.

Pictures usually speak louder than words. Norman Rockwell is an artist who knew that to be true. He created a series of four paintings called “Freedom Series” which included "Freedom from Want," "Freedom from Fear," "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Religion." I saw this on display when my son was an impressionable fifth grader and thought it would be good for him. Guess whose heart and soul were indelibly imprinted by the paintings? Mine, of course.

It was back in 2008. Obama was newly elected and I was sure it was the worst of times. But those images by Rockwell kept coming to my mind and I decided to keep plugging along although it felt pointless.

An article written 20 years ago by a guy named Martin Anderson brought something to my attention I hadn’t thought of before. He quoted Thomas Keynes (not my go -to for economics) from an article entitled “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.” Rather than a laundry list of the conditions conducive for economic prosperity that I expected, he spoke of a “spontaneous optimism” rather-than some complex mathematical calculations.

He went on to emphasize the presence of an unquantifiable entity: instinct behind the effort to do something positive which would ultimately affect the economy in many ways. Adam Smith would certainly not agree with the bulk of Keynesian theory, but he recognized the same dynamic some 180 years before when he wrote: Nothing is required to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism than peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration.

Emineth is a North Dakota native businessman and political activist. He is a former executive director and chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party. Emineth has served on the Republican National Committee and chaired numerous presidential campaigns in North Dakota. He is the host of “The Legislature Today” and “Open Range” daily TV shows on BEK. He is a serial entrepreneur and has 40-plus years of business experience with multi-national companies. He has traveled the world extensively and has served as CEO and president of mid-tier companies.