MINNEAPOLIS — Sixty major Minnesota corporate leaders posted a letter on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website for ending tensions over3,500 battle-ready federal agents in the state. The letter step-toed to avoid blaming President Trump for the crisis, which he instigated by ordering 3,500 federal agents uninvited into the state supposedly to restore order when there was no disorder. The corporate letter was partly a reaction to a Minnesota Puhic Radio essay that shamed the state’s corporate leaders for silence as the Trump crisis swelled out of control. The essay, by financial columnist Chris Farrell, noted that a new generation of profit-obsessed Minesota corporate leaders had forsaken their forebearers’ exemplary commitment to bettering the state’s multi-cultural richness and prosperity-for-all climate.
Verbatim
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce: “With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.” Signatories included:
> Corie Barry, Best Buy.
> William Brown, of 3M.
> Jeff Ettinger, Hormel.
> Michael Fiddelke, Target.
> Linda Findley, Sleep Number.
> Bob Frenzel, Xcel Energy.
> Allison Gettings, Red Wing Shoes.
> Jeff Harmening, General Mills.
> Stephen Helmsley, United Health.
> Gunjan Kedia, U.S. Bancorp.
> Geoff Martha, Medtronic.
Verbatim
ChrisFarrell, Minnesota Public Radio: Minnesota likes to think of itself as a place where big companies don’t just coin money — they make a difference in local society and culture. The embrace of capitalism with a conscience has had an unusually large impact since Minnesota is home to a large number of brand name headquarters, especially considering its small size. For decades, executives at these firms have been part of the state’s civic backbone — serving on nonprofit boards, weighing in on workforce issues, joining task forces focused on solving major social issues and tapping into their corporate foundations and personal pockets to financially support community initiatives. Corporate leadership, at least here, made a difference. Which is why the quiet right now is so striking.”