“Missouri needs you. Now’s the time to stand up and be
counted.”

On Thursday, Oct. 7, Bob Holden, Missouri’s lame-duck governor,
spoke to a crowd of approximately 100 students in Tegeler Hall as
part of the Great Issues Committee’s Democracy in Action series. He
told the students why it is important that they get involved in
politics and public service, and he also spoke candidly on the
decisions that he has made over the last four years.

“The decisions being made today are too important to be made
without your involvement. I challenge each of you to join the
[political] arena,” he said.

Joey Kneer, head of GIC, said that he believed the governor had
a unique perspective on politics that would prove helpful to
students. “Governor Holden explained that he has been involved in
the democratic process as a public servant for most of his life.
Despite his struggles, he is committed to public service, and I
think that is motivating for fellow students and me to hear.”

Before making his speech at SLU, Holden was in China with St.
Louis Mayor Francis Slay. While there, Holden was able to speak to
students at Beijing University on democracy. “To see their
enthusiasm was very rewarding,” he said. He added that many in
America have a tendency to take the opportunities we have to get
involved in government for granted.

“It’s important that we continue to talk about it and remind
people of just how great a country we live in,” he said.

Holden spent a great deal of his speech defending his policies
while governor. When taking the oath of office, Holden said he had
good reason to be optimistic. Within 70 days of taking office,
however, Missouri was $64 billion off a balanced budget.

“We had to find a way to cut taxes and still provide benefits,”
he said.

Holden, however, did not foresee the struggle that he would have
to go through to protect programs for children and seniors.
Republican control of the House and Senate brought most of Holden’s
programs to a standstill.

“The traditional procedures of the House and Senate went away,”
he said. “The legislature was not interested in negotiating in good
faith. They [Republicans] held all the cards and kept their members
in lockstep.”

Holden was forced to make many budget cuts. “The government of
Missouri cannot print new money like the federal government can,”
he said. “We had to find places to cut services where we could. We
have a moral responsibility to fund public services.”

Holden described being forced to cut funds for public arts,
radio, and television “distasteful.” He said, however, “The choice
was clear between cutting a play and cutting healthcare.”

Holden addressed the cuts to education that were made by placing
much of the blame on the Republican leaders.

“They would blame the cuts on me and then wash their hands clean
of any difficult decisions,” he said. Holden said that college
tuition has gone up 20 percent, and schools are underfunded by $610
million. He again criticized the Republicans for not considering
tax increases on gambling and cigarettes that could have been used
to help fund education programs.

Holden stressed that education has been one of his top
priorities as a governor, and offered some advice to Claire
McCaskill and Matt Blount, who will be facing off for the
governorship in November.

“I hope they will take seriously the budget situation facing the
state and set the right priorities and come up with solutions. It
is important that we solve these issues because people’s lives are
affected by it,” he said.

Holden wrapped up his speech by saying that he did not know what
he would do after he leaves office, except try to keep involved in
the debate. “I don’t plan on walking away,” he said. He added some
closing encouragement to students, saying that democracy can
resolve conflict without war. He challenged students to get
involved and said that he did not regret anything.

“I chose to fight, and I would make the same decision again
today,” he said.

The audience awarded Holden with a standing ovation. Kneer said,
“I believe Governor Holden’s presentation was well-received.
Through his experiences, he was able to explain the good and bad
sides of democracy in action. He also brought Missouri politics to
life, especially for students who are not from Missouri.”