Why would a former Republican like me run as a candidate of the DFL Party?

 Why would a former Republican like me run as a candidate of the DFL Party?

Rick Olson
April 1, 2025

That’s a valid question.

I grew up in an era when rugged individualism was the culture, where through hard work and persistence people hoped to go from rags to riches in America where opportunity abounds. Then too, we were taught that the results you achieved were primarily caused by the choices you previously made, good or bad. In other words, if you failed or suffered misfortune, it was mostly your fault. In other words, your fate was your personal responsibility.

Through my undergraduate and graduate school study of economics, I strongly believed in private enterprise/capitalism as the economic system that was most efficient and would produce the most goods and services for the most people. Capitalism has raised more people out of poverty than any other system. For example, look at China once elements of capitalism were allowed there.

This set of beliefs fits well into the traditional Republican framework.

However, through experience and lifelong learning, I have realized that one’s success is not solely one’s doing. We all have systems within which we work (such as sets of laws) and contacts (whether family or accidental) which can assist us in reaching our goals or aspirations. There are also circumstances which make it difficult for some to succeed or contribute to adverse results (such as rampant obesity in “food deserts” within major cities where fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods are hard to get.)

Capitalism too is not perfect, as most of the theoretical assumptions upon which the theory is based are not completely true in the real world. Income and wealth inequality, for example, is an inherent result of capitalism. Externalities, i.e., where one’s activities negatively affect others without that cost being internalized by the doer. Also, although free trade is preferred, another country may be abusing the system through subsidies and favored regulation for its own production and tariffs against others such that our producers are hurt.

(For a more detailed analysis, see Free Market Economics: Problems and Solutions first published in September, 2018.)

In all these situations, government action may be necessary to create an equitable situation.

Despite these realizations, I retain my basic beliefs. But now, through study and analysis of evidence-based facts, I may come to far different conclusions when it comes to some public policy prescriptions.

I still believe in the “classic liberal” ideals of the traditional Republican Party of free speech and of the press and other individual liberties, peace through strength, laissez-faire economic policy (i.e., free enterprise), democratically elected governments, adherence to the U.S. Constitution, openness and transparency of government, private property, and political and economic freedom under the rule of law (no man is above the law). Unfortunately, that is not where the Republican Party is today. The party has left me, so I now needed to seek another party more compatible with my beliefs.

I trust we share many of the sane values. Join me to protect them!

Prepared and paid for by Olson Senate Committee, P.O. Box 15. Prior Lake, MN 55372