Alpha News hit the streets of Centennial Lakes Park in Edina to ask visitors for their opinions on the Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) policies and what they believe are the biggest issues facing Minnesota.
Minnesotans offered a wide range of reactions when asked about several policies associated with the Democratic-Socialist movement, including the abolition of national borders and prisons, stopping all deportations, and restructuring the federal government.
Among the policies discussed was the idea of eliminating national borders and ending deportations.
When asked about the idea, one Centennial Lakes visitor questioned how the United States could function as a country without national borders.
“How can it be a country, then, if you abolish the national borders?” he asked.
Another respondent said the proposal sounded illegal and questioned how it could be implemented.
Others emphasized the importance of maintaining national borders and enforcing immigration laws.
“We should have law and order in this country, and you can’t have that with open borders and just letting everybody in.”
Visitors were also asked about proposals to restructure the country’s federal government, including abolishing the U.S. Senate and replacing the presidency with Congress-elected representatives.
The proposal drew mixed reactions.
One woman said she was unsure whether such a change would ultimately be beneficial, while another respondent called the idea “outrageous.”
One visitor defended the existing system of checks and balances.
“Having those institutions, that’s what gives us separation of powers and makes us a great republic,” he said.
At the same time, other respondents believe the current system doesn’t function properly and needs to be reassessed.
“Before we do that, we should give Congress more of the power that they’re supposed to have in the first place,” one person said.
The proposal to abolish prisons also received skepticism from most of those interviewed.
Rather than calling for the complete elimination of prisons, several respondents said they believe the criminal justice system needs significant reform and reevaluation.
Even a rising high school freshman interviewed at the park said prisons should remain.
What is Minnesota’s biggest issue?
When the conversation shifted away from Democratic-Socialist policies and toward Minnesota’s biggest problems, respondents offered a much broader range of answers.
Notably, only a few mentioned fraud when asked what they believe is the state’s biggest issue.
Instead, most respondents focused on leadership, political division, the economy, and the state’s relationship with the federal government.
One woman said Minnesota needs to recover a sense of community.
“We do need to come back to ‘Minnesota nice’ and understand that we all are families that need to nurture and help each other,” she said.
Another felt that the state is under pressure from the federal government.
“We’re under attack by the federal government constantly. We’re getting funding cut. We are being asked to hand over private voting information.”
One visitor offered a broader perspective, arguing that Minnesotans need to pay more attention to events beyond the state’s — or even the country’s — borders.
“I think the biggest issue is not having a world view’s perspective that actually looks at the world objectively,” he said. “People are not having an understanding of what’s happening around the rest of the world and realizing how lucky they are over here.”
Rachael Van Rossum
Rachael Van Rossum is a journalist and author who studies political science in the Twin Cities. She previously interned with the Illinois House of Representatives and recently published her debut fantasy novel "The Hellburner of Sovi." Rachael is passionate about telling compelling stories and bringing to life the voices of political figures, athletes, and members of her community through engaging writing. She is the Alpha News journalism fellow for the summer of 2026.
