Elmer L. Anderson died tonight

[dflprincess]

Just heard it on WCCO. A great man - let us not forget his recent editorial on why a Republican ex-governor was voting for Kerry.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. One of the vestiges of the days when Republicans were sane

:-(

During my younger days, the Republicans and Democrats seemed to alternate holding the governorship, and it didn't seem to make much difference who was in charge. The state was run rationally and beneficially in either case.

Rest in peace, Governor Anderson.

[Carolab]

2. A friend of mine's former father-in-law

He had some interesting stories to tell about old Elmer.

I liked what he had to say about * on his way out.

[no name no slogan]

3. Oh darn

I was hoping he'd make it until next fall, when the new building named after him is completed.

The Elmer L. Anderson building is under construction at 10th and Cedar in downtown St. Paul. When complete, the building will house most of the state's Department of Human Services staff.

Elmer L. Anderson was one of the last 'real' Republican governors we had. Like other Republicans, he was fiscally conservative, but also knew that the job of the government was to ensure that those who had none didn't go without.

So long Governor Anderson.

[MnFats]

4. This is very sad. I knew Elmer to be a great man.

Too kind for politics.
and that editorial he wrote on Kerry v. Bush was right on the money.
He wrote that Cheney was the true president and an 'evil man.'

[dflprincess]

5. Did anyone read the article in today's Strib about him?

I was only about 8 when he was governor and my family lived in upstate New York at the time - I had no idea what he had done. The man could have rivaled Wellstone.

While a state senator (in the late '50s) he sponsored bills about fair employment practices, the state's first civil rights bill and was the father of a bill requiring schools to offer courses for kids with special needs. He was also instrumental in establishing Voyageur's Park.

When he returned to the business world his company was one of the first to offer employee stock options, maternity leave, day care at company plants and health care for retirees.

His business philosophy was "Corporations have a first responsibility to their customers. "Moneymaking shouldn't be the prime motive of the company." The second priority should be for the well being of the employee. The third priority should be profit. (He never mentioned the shareholders!)

And, he was married to the same woman for 72 years.

Pawleny isn't fit to speak this man's name! And both Democrats and Republicans could learn from his example.

[no name no slogan]

6. A great piece

I knew he was responsible for some great things, but not so many of them! I for one will be honored to go to work in the Elmer L. Anderson building next October, when my department moves over there.

:toast: to Elmer L. Anderson :toast:

[mzmolly]

7. Such a "Minnesota' type name isn't it?

My heart goes out to his family.