Taxes vs. Vision in ISAIAH’S Odd Couple Action

ISAIAH leaders took our powerful worldview right to the center of the action at the State Capitol on April 11th, 2007. In teams of two, we delivered these bold messages to 34 legislators, including Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House:
 
Ø    We are a people of prosperity.  Only through shared abundance can we in Minnesota achieve the kind of communities we envision.  
 
Ø    As people of faith we believe our destinies are linked to each other.  
 
Our teams of two were “Odd Couples:” two people from different backgrounds and different legislative districts standing together to show our linked destiny.  In conversation with legislators, we declared our vision for a prosperous Minnesota and challenged elected officials to keep this vision front and center in the public debate. Only through courage and leadership can we overcome the narrowly focused conversation on taxes and create a public conversation focused on our achievable vision for prosperity!

Our Odd Couples arrived at the Capitol just as the House was convening its first floor session after the Easter break, and we quickly filled the space outside the House chamber. We approached some legislators as they were heading in, and got others to come out off the floor to talk with us. The space was bubbling with activity--everywhere you looked there were legislators in conversation with pairs of ISAIAH leaders. Then, the word went out that they were adjourning the floor session. Legislators began flowing out, and we sprang into high gear, taking advantage of the opportunity to talk with legislative leaders from all over the state. By the time it was all over we had spoken with 34 legislators in under an hour! And those we didn't talk with couldn't help but notice the crowd and the energy, sending a strong message about our role as co-creators of our shared future.

Each meeting with legislators ended with an invitation to attend ISAIAH’s Boost of Courage event May 7th in the Rotunda at 6:00 PM. ISAIAH “Odd Couples” invited legislators to find their own “odd couple” and come to the event together. These relationships — across usual boundaries — will make possible movement not only in the next 40 days of the 2007 session, but over the next 40 years.