On the fourth of July, I decide to blog on my personal experience with local American politics.

My college is situated in Northfield, Minnesota and my state representative is Ray Cox (Rep). His long time DFL foe is David Bly. After visiting my representative's website recently, I must say I am now more interested in investigating his commitments to Northfield residents. It is interesting to see how he tries to live up to his self declared role as a bi-partisan representative by engaging actively with different actors involve in traditional democrats's issues of environment and immigration.

I also remember how he came to my dorm a few times to ask the students for their votes late at night. (I think that's a great move knowing how late college students return to dorms) Cox and his supporters also pass out pamphlets and put up posters in the college. I remember those placed behind toilet doors were pretty effective!

I appreciate that even though Cox is a Republican, he tries hard to build bridges with the dominant progressive voices in Carleton and St Olaf, the two colleges in Northfield. (He is endorsed by the Sierra Club, an influential national environmental group) But agreeing to appear numerous times on the popular Carleton radio, KRLX, I felt that he managed to reach out to people beyond his constituency.

I was impressed with his dedication as a state representative. Cox has a full time job which he attends to every 5 am in the morning, after which, he drives to the legislative assembly in St Paul before going home at 10p.m.

In addition, what struck me were the democratic norms and activities he often engaged in. He often debated with his opponents on wide ranging issues on public forums, one of which I attended in Carleton. I thought that kept him on his toes and gave the opposition chances to raise and debate issues too. In a small community, that's good democracy at work! Moreover, even though I know that many Northfield Residents are skeptical about further commercial developments in a small town like Northfield,which as Cox as a Republican believes in, Cox tries to be inclusive and non-patronizing when dealing with skeptics and critics. (especially college students!)

If only more MPs in Singapore could keep a "blog" on the community and political activities they engage in; I am sure Residents will really appreciate it!