This is what happens when partisan politics runs amok

Just when the Minnesota House of Representatives appears it cornered the market on the biggest circus since Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey went dark in 2017, the Minnesota Senate made a bid for your attention.

Last week, Jan. 27 to be exact, Sen. Bill Lieske, R-Lonsdale, announced he supported a GOP effort to expel Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury. Sen. Lieske’s explanation of his actions is included on this page. Mitchell is charged with a felony-level burglary charge related to her alleged effort to break in to her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes and recover items belonging to her late father. Her trial is scheduled for after the Minnesota Legislature adjourns May 19.

In other words, Sen. Lieske believes Sen. Mitchell should be expelled from the Senate even though, under our current system of justice, she is innocent until proven guilty. Sen. Lieske believes members of the Senate are held to a higher standard of conduct. We would like to agree, but we’re guessing Sen. Lieske has not suggested President Trump is unfit to lead the country. Lieske argues the president’s crimes resulting in conviction of 34 felony counts trying to influence the outcome of the 2016 election occurred when he was a private citizen.

Technically, but is a former U.S. president receiving retirement benefits, office space, office staff, franking privileges to assure the dignity of the Office of the President and to provide financial support for continuing public demands ever really a private citizen?

Ideally, our elected officials should be big-picture thinkers who rise above the fray of partisan politics. But we know better. Our lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans alike, are flawed human beings just like the rest of us. In 2010, Rep. Mark Buesgens, RJordan, was convicted of DWI. He did not resign. He was not expelled. He was re-elected and served in 2011 and 2012.

In March of 2000, Rep. Jim Rostberg, R-Isanti, was charged with one count of felony criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and two counts of felony criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. He was accused of sexual contact with a person under 16 over an extended period of time. He reportedly agreed not to seek re-election in exchange for being spared an expulsion vote.

Like their colleagues in the House, rather than maintaining the power-sharing agreement through the end of the session, the two parties are more interested in control than working together in bipartisan harmony to benefit Minnesotans.

If Sen. Mitchell is convicted, she should not, and will not, be allowed to serve under the terms of state law.

Right now, the GOP and DFL are both counting how many votes they can count on. With the tragic passing of Sen. Kari Dziedzic, DFLMinneapolis, Dec. 27, there are 33 Republicans and 33 DFLers in the Minnesota Senate. Ousting Mitchell would give the GOP control of the Senate and its committees. The Minnesota Senate has been operating since under a power-sharing agreement. A special-election to fill Dziedzic’s seat was slated for this week. If a DFLer wins, the Dems will have the majority of the Senate.

Like their colleagues in the House, rather than maintaining the power-sharing agreement through the end of the session, the two parties are seemingly more interested in control than working together in bipartisan harmony to benefit Minnesotans.