Paul Chellsen lives in Apple Valley, Minn.

He spoke to us about his concern for education which he believes should be fully funded as a long-term investment. He said it should be a concern for everyone because, “it is what it teaching our future leaders, it’s going to take care of you and I when we’re older.” He said education is societal and if children don’t get a good education now, we will all pay at some point in the future.

Chellsen said that over the last five to six years, he has noticed a change in people becoming more selfish. Instead of being so concerned with our personal welfare, he said the question should be, “are we all better off,” but no-one ever asks that. He quoted Paul Wellstone, “We all do better when we all do better,” and said that partisan finger pointing and blaming politicians is not the solution. For Chellsen, the answer lies in organzing, getting involved, and caring.

He said while citizen-based community involvement is necessary, what is really needed is a leader with a vision. Chellsen said leadership comes from all over and are not always politicians or representatives, describing his mom and his wife as leaders.