By Arnu Phonnachit | City of Schmedeman, Mitchell County

Maj. Alan Duff, a 55-year-old retired Army major, will be speaking to citizens at a special discussion on Friday afternoon.

He was born in Florida but raised in Minnesota.

He served in the military for 23 years, then when he retired he worked with local politics. He then ran for city counselor and won.

However, while he was running for city counselor, and later as city counselor, he noticed that the political world can be filled with corruption and in need of mending.

That’s when Duff stepped up and wrote two books about, “Fixing America’s shattered politics” to help solve the problem of corrupt politics. He has also become an avid speaker on the topic.

The book, “Fixing america’s shattered politics” is about what the politicians are doing secretly behind America’s back with things like backroom deals, disobeying laws/rules and doing nearly anything to achieve what they want.

Maj. Duff said he wants to stress that many politicians only do things for themselves and not the people. He also wants to emphasize there are good politicians in this country but not an incredibly large amount.

He said that he hopes there will be more in the years to come.

Maj. Duff came to Badger Boys State to help empower the boys and discuss how people should take care of the country because it will start to fall if it is left as is.

He also wants to state that being an American is a great privilege. America has done a lot of great things and we should value the things America has done.

He also wants to discuss the challenges to the great principles of this country. He hopes to have an opportunity to talk about what young adults will soon be as the future leaders of America and what they can do to help solve the problems America faces.

An example of a big problem is O.P.M., or “other peoples’ money,” which is where politicians take money from others and spend it on things that only help them and not the people.

Maj. Duff said he really believes in the boys attending BBS. He knows the young leaders can turn the country’s problems around.

Maj. Duff said he also knows the problems people currently have are super deep, but with the right guidance, he is assured that young leaders can repair the damages and make America the best it can be for everyone.

Some advice Maj. Duff wanted to give to everyone is to know their responsibilities as a citizen, know their privileges as a American citizen and know what they can do, because once they do these things, he believes everything will become better.