I am now a Mugwump

As publisher of the Dodge County Independent and ADvantage for more than one year, our editor, Karen Jorgensen (a.k.a. the Great Dane), suggested that it was time to change my column from Back Home Again to something that is more in keeping with a person who managed to live through year one.

That brought on a conundrum – what would replace Back Home Again?

I considered the following: On Second Thought, The Way I See It, Under the Radar, Just Thinking, Think About It, Agree or Disagree, My Perspective or When In Doubt, Tell the Truth.

None of those were acceptable.

I enlisted the Great Dane in my search and threw out a Mark Twainism.

“Mugwump: I was a mugwump,” Twain said. “We, the mugwumps, a little company made up of the un-enslaved of both parties, the very best men to be found in the two great parties—that was our idea of it—voted sixty thousand strong for Mr.

Cleveland in New York and elected him. Our principles were high, and very definite. We were not a party; we had no candidates; we had no axes to grind. Our vote laid upon the man we cast it for no obligation of any kind. By our rule we could not ask for office; we could not accept office. When voting, it was our duty to vote for the best man—that was creed enough,” Twain concluded.

So, Back Home Again is now Mugwump.

It’ll be an attempt to offer a light-hearted glimpse into the community we enjoy—Dodge County and the city of Byron.

I’ve grown attached to the uniqueness of our cities and towns. Our townships, such as Wasioja and Ripley, are examples of grassroots exemplifying our self-governing efforts.

If Mugwump fits wear with pride. I find that it fits like a glove. I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I’m a Mugwump affixed to the idea that as an American and Minnesotan our freedoms are guaranteed by our founding documents.

No one person is above the law, the Constitution or the will of the people.

I guess that’s why The Constitution of the United States of America begins with the words…”We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”