The history of government in Barry County is riddled with incompetence. All one has to do, is read back issues of the local newspaper for the last few years to see a pattern of government mismanagement, and malfeasance. These incidents seem to have one thing in common:
"Republicans"
An inbred local culture of politicians that do nothing better with our tax dollars than fight for who gets to live on the taxpayers dime first. Many without a clue as to how to perform their jobs effectively. From arguments against the old boy network in the not too distant past, to recent allegations against the former director of 911 last year, Charlton Park, gun rights battles in the streets of Hastings, and allegations of sexism in city hall.
The mismanagement of our area mirrors what has been happening at the state level, and in Washington, D.C. . Corporate lobbyists, and incompetent partisans placed in bureaucratic jobs fulfilling agendas that in no way mirror the wants, and needs of constituents. These people are so busy scratching each others backs, they seem to have forgotten their intended duties. Many seem to believe that their singular duty is getting elected.
Now please don't lump me in with the pessimists. I will not call for throwing all of the bums out here. Such rhetoric has only helped divide our nation, rather than mobilize voters to help complete the change that is needed.
Besides, there are no competitive parties that have ponied up alternatives in this county.
No Independent party members,
No Greens,
No Libertarians,
and most sadly of all, no Democrats.
Much has been made of whether or not a Democrat can win in Barry County. I think this is the wrong question. I'd ask why won't decent Democrats run in Barry County. I think the answer is that the local party has been a complete and utter failure, and that they fear the voters wouldn't listen anyway. There's also been a deliberate misinformation campaign that suggests Democrats have never won and can never win in the future. This is bull.
National polls have hinted for some time at a solid Democratic majority in Washington next January. Democrats could potentially take the State Senate and be in control in Lansing. And yet the local Democratic Party has failed to take advantage of this potential landslide and get warm bodies to fill up empty ballot slots. Not one Democrat ran for County Commission.
While many still walk around with the cartoon image of the 1960s Democratic Party in their minds, the truth is that the radical party in this country is the Republican Party. The Republican party is an echo chamber full of many supposed civil servants who have perfected the art of "group think". Positions filled (from cabinet positions all the way down to secretarial duties at local levels), have been done in such a way that only those that could pass the most stringent of purity tests need apply. Even here on these very web pages, many candidates are called out for being RINO (Republican in name only) candidates, and mocked for not putting party above principal, and contributing time, and money to sell agendas they may not completely agree with. The Republican party's "big tent" seems to shrink aggressively with every election cycle. Many would have attempted to throw their own presidential nominee to the curb, had he not towed the line in choosing his "politically acceptable" (god forbid) replacement if something should happen.
The Democratic Party since the defeat of Jimmy Carter has been moving closer and closer to the middle, in fact Carter himself was a centrist who defeated the more liberal Teddy Kennedy. While many swallowed the Rush Limbaugh hype about President Clinton, Clinton was an avowed centrist who favored market solutions over governments. He enacted welfare reforms, and other measures that were more akin to the traditional Republican platform than the Democratic Party's. All the while leading his party into a more progressive position.
Despite the fact that many Democrats wanted to see a hard leftward swing after 7 years of George W. Bush's far right governance, Barack Obama won his party's nomination with talk of conciliation and compromise. Now, the country stands poised to elect a Democratic Congress and Senate and Obama's prospects in November look decent. His promise of more responsive government is rooted in the idea that the president needs to take council from all sides of the political spectrum, in contrast to that of our present administration which asks for reverberation rather than option.
We have already seen the effects brought on by one party's incestuous government control. We've seen already the effects of smaller, meaner government, having too much power, in Washington, and right here in Barry County. We have seen the loss of employers, as well as that of job security here. Everyone is feeling the pinch of the economic disaster that was bred in Washington D.C.. Make no mistake, many of the Republicans in this county have fully supported the president, and his administrations actions that have lead to the problems we are facing.
Change can happen here, as well as in the nations capitol.
A Democrat Can Win in Barry County.
But in order for this to happen, we need more competent Democrats to run in Barry county, and give the voters a reason to believe that they can make a difference.
Democrats need to fight the battle for the people here, in order to ensure that they can do the same in the capitol. Republicans built their following from the bottom up, and the Democrats need to do the same. Democratic candidates cannot afford to be the fall back vote, or the angry protest vote, they must be the only logical vote. For this to happen there needs to be a ballot full of Democrats.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Why I love conventions
As a kid one of my reasons for becoming interested in politics was the quadrennial national conventions. As someone who loves language and its ability to move people, the lofty speeches that called out to our ideals was something I found awesomely inspiring. Every four years at least one person finds a way to tap into something deeper than the usual, stale monologues reciting party platform planks like menu items in a restaurant where every dish is red meat. And, like the Olympics, we watch because of the possibility that someone will catch fire, someone who's name wasn't well known on the national stage who immediately becomes a household word. The chance that a person will seemingly come out of nowhere and prove themselves worthy of attention makes it thrilling to watch because you want to say that you were there at that moment their spark caught fire.
Four years ago Barack Obama spoke to a nation and gave voice to a swelling number of people who felt that the President had failed in the days after 9/11. That, beside the bull horn speech, Bush never asked Americans to sacrifice and come together, in fact Bush's words increasingly divided as he used a national tragedy for political gain (when my staunchly Republican friends ask me why it is, as they see it, that Democrats "hate" Bush that is the reason I give- I remember watching the horrible events on September 11, 2001 and waiting for order from the President to conserve energy and other measures so that we could quit foreign oil but I was asked to go shopping). Despite speaking to a party that was craving more red meat and looking for someone to take on the hard right wing that had dominated the government, Obama called to the nation's shared ideals and showed himself to be someone capable of leading a nation through troubled times. It's easy for people to dismiss it as "just a speech," but it was more than that, it was a leader revealing himself live on the national stage when most people hadn't even heard of him. You can argue whether he's got the right policies and judgment but you can't argue that in one speech he revealed himself to be capable of the leadership it takes to move a nation.
While words can be used to deceive, they can also enlighten and inspire. I look to these political conventions for someone willing to boldly tell the truth and for someone willing to give the people a voice, someone willing to lead us from our self-absorption and ask us to work for a higher calling. Shallow patriotism, hollow platitudes and empty rhetoric won't cut it. Who will find the words to remind us of our shared fate and how we can either stand together or fall alone? The nation's greatest presidents are usually considered that because they found such words. That is why I watch...
Four years ago Barack Obama spoke to a nation and gave voice to a swelling number of people who felt that the President had failed in the days after 9/11. That, beside the bull horn speech, Bush never asked Americans to sacrifice and come together, in fact Bush's words increasingly divided as he used a national tragedy for political gain (when my staunchly Republican friends ask me why it is, as they see it, that Democrats "hate" Bush that is the reason I give- I remember watching the horrible events on September 11, 2001 and waiting for order from the President to conserve energy and other measures so that we could quit foreign oil but I was asked to go shopping). Despite speaking to a party that was craving more red meat and looking for someone to take on the hard right wing that had dominated the government, Obama called to the nation's shared ideals and showed himself to be someone capable of leading a nation through troubled times. It's easy for people to dismiss it as "just a speech," but it was more than that, it was a leader revealing himself live on the national stage when most people hadn't even heard of him. You can argue whether he's got the right policies and judgment but you can't argue that in one speech he revealed himself to be capable of the leadership it takes to move a nation.
While words can be used to deceive, they can also enlighten and inspire. I look to these political conventions for someone willing to boldly tell the truth and for someone willing to give the people a voice, someone willing to lead us from our self-absorption and ask us to work for a higher calling. Shallow patriotism, hollow platitudes and empty rhetoric won't cut it. Who will find the words to remind us of our shared fate and how we can either stand together or fall alone? The nation's greatest presidents are usually considered that because they found such words. That is why I watch...
Monday, August 25, 2008
The party is started!
Photo courtesy of Democratic party.You can make a lot of claims right now, but slow news week is not one of them!
BarbinMD is Liveblogging the convention at dailykos.
I will try to link to some Michigan sites that are also taking a shot at liveblogging at the convention, but bandwidth seems to be lacking today. Wonder why?Sunday, August 24, 2008
Read more about Anger
West Michigan Rising recently ran a profile of the Democratic candidate for Barry County Drain Commissioner, Rose Anger. Part of the article also looks at the lack of Democrats running for office in Barry County. Take a look.
Parade politics provokes applause
Watching the annual Hastings Summerfest parade was just a bit more interesting this year for watchers of politics and the pols who use such events to campaign. Considering that Barry County has so few contested races after the August primary election (this year it seems even less than usual), I often forget such events are normally a good place for a politician to reach large crowds of people prior to the November election. Most of the time the politicians who show up seem to do it more out of public relations than a need to truly campaign and pick up extra votes since they're unopposed or might as well be. This year's parade had the expected local politicians handing out candy and campaign literature, including our State Representative, the two major party candidates for county Drain Commissioner, the Democratic candidate running against Vern Ehlers for the U.S. House seat and a surprise...
As usual, the parade kicked off with the American Legion color guard. The crowd of families and on-lookers seated in lawn chairs and on the sidewalks and curbs rose to greet the flag and gave an enthusiastic ovation. Just as the clapping had started to die down another round of marchers in military gear received some applause. Then the parade began in earnest with the Hastings High School marching band, which also received some polite applause- I half wondered if it was partly due to rampant rumors that due to a band director's schedule conflict and budget cuts which eliminated a second director position, that the band would be unable to attend the parade. Many other floats and marchers drifted by, my mind wandering more to mundane things like why there always seem to be such long stretches in between parade entries and how hot the people marching must get, a worry mostly focused on some of the older participants and those like the Society for Creative Anachronism crowd that rode in full medieval dress, including one in a suit of armor. Not to mention the smell of food provided a distraction from the lunch-time event.
Mostly, I watched for a couple friends riding in the parade and a niece that would be part of the procession. Many people in the crowd sat quietly the rest of the time, usually only broken when they shouted at someone they knew on a float or to attract the attention of the people throwing candy and Mardi Gras beads to the crowd of on-lookers. Now, the parade had settled into a routine of local churches, civic groups, charities and businesses along with local politicians. The only bits of applause coming for those entrants which were somehow connected to military or patriotic themes.
I brightened up a little when I saw the brave and foolhardy souls campaigning for a Democratic Presidential candidate in Barry County- one doesn't usually see much campaigning for President in these parts outside an occasional bumper sticker, lawn sign or letter to the editor but there was something like 5-10 people marching in support of Barack Obama. I'd heard a contingent would be there to march for Obama so that wasn't a surprise. What surprised me was how the crowd reacted. Normally, when local politicians campaign at such events they are greeted with a sort of polite indifference, most of the litter left after the parade seems to be the cheap photocopied flyers handed by local politicians. Unless a politician is a well-liked, local good old boy, most people tend to see the stumping politicians the way one always sees flies hovering around the rear ends of animals in the summer.
At least half of the crowd, it seemed to me, began to applaud the Obama campaign folks walking by. I even looked around to make sure it wasn't some trick being played on my ears or to see if there was another parade entrant sparking the applause. The crowd's greeting for the local Obama campaign was warm and enthusiastic and was matched perhaps only by the greeting given the stars and stripes at the beginning of the parade.
Now, I know some will read this and pretend as if I'm arguing for an Obama win in Barry County or in the electoral college based on a smattering of applause, though I think it does mean he has a better shot than the chattering class punditry would have you believe (it is obvious to me that the corporate media types need a close election to keep ratings high as elections have become a huge money-maker for the media in an age where people are turning away from traditional media outlets and network TV ratings continue to slide- there's a reason why, despite battleground state polling indicating Obama ahead the media relies more on national polling to show a "tied" race despite Presidential elections being decided in the Electoral College).
The fact that half the people on the street applauded the appearance of the Obama supporters has to be considered a sign of optimism for those who grumble that Democrats seemingly can't win here. I wonder also if that applause wasn't just a "show of hands" from those planning to vote for the candidate being represented but also a sign of approval for the fact that they are bothering at all. Despite being Republican territory in a state very friendly to McCain's previous national campaign, no one bothered to represent the McCain campaign, which also means I couldn't gauge the audience reaction, to compare and contrast.
What I'm actually trying to say is how impressed I am overall in Obama's shoot-the-moon 50-state strategy which has abandoned the often failed Ohio-Pennsylvania-Florida strategy that gave the White House to the GOP from 2000 to the present. Obama has invested a considerable amount of money and effort in new voter registration and opening field offices in remote locations in state which Democrats have failed to contest for a generation. In other words, as someone who follows campaign strategy like some study historical battle tactics, I'm impressed by Obama's embrace and understanding of reaching out to people who have long been ignored by traditional campaigns. And no wonder the media is thoroughly unimpressed- while traditional Presidential campaigns have basically been an air war fought in the millions of dollars of prime time TV advertising, Obama has turned his campaign into a modern Special Ops style campaign which is choosing its targets wisely instead of just going for Shock and Awe and getting outspent by the better financed and more well organized Republican attack machine.
From text messaging to YouTube videos, the Obama campaign is embracing all the tools of the 21st century to reach voters directly instead of allowing the gate keepers with the big media conglomerates to continue to dominate our political discourse. Part of the Republican domination of the last 20 years was built on their strength in direct mail campaigning, one of Bush advisor Karl Rove's claims to fame. Now we see the next phase and it's fascinating to see it play out on a local level.
The fact the Obama campaign has a field organizer in Barry County, not to mention at least one splinter group taking off their local chunk of geography to concentrate on, and that Obama's campaign has increased enthusiasm among people to bother organizing what has been seen for too long as a hopeless effort in Barry County, means that this campaign has already scored a victory for anyone who is troubled by the one-party domination of the area. It helps too that in some ways, the domination of the GOP in Barry County has been over-hyped. A perfect example being in the 2006 Governor's race when Jennifer Granholm took 13 of 26 precincts in Barry County and lost the county by less than 800 votes to almost-local boy Dick DeVos. While it will still be a tough fight, especially if Senator McCain picks almost-local boy Mitt Romney to join the ticket in the VP slot, the fact that the Obama campaign is shaking up status quo politics and conventional wisdom, bringing the fight to Barry County makes me applaud. They may not win, but at least they're fighting....
As usual, the parade kicked off with the American Legion color guard. The crowd of families and on-lookers seated in lawn chairs and on the sidewalks and curbs rose to greet the flag and gave an enthusiastic ovation. Just as the clapping had started to die down another round of marchers in military gear received some applause. Then the parade began in earnest with the Hastings High School marching band, which also received some polite applause- I half wondered if it was partly due to rampant rumors that due to a band director's schedule conflict and budget cuts which eliminated a second director position, that the band would be unable to attend the parade. Many other floats and marchers drifted by, my mind wandering more to mundane things like why there always seem to be such long stretches in between parade entries and how hot the people marching must get, a worry mostly focused on some of the older participants and those like the Society for Creative Anachronism crowd that rode in full medieval dress, including one in a suit of armor. Not to mention the smell of food provided a distraction from the lunch-time event.
Mostly, I watched for a couple friends riding in the parade and a niece that would be part of the procession. Many people in the crowd sat quietly the rest of the time, usually only broken when they shouted at someone they knew on a float or to attract the attention of the people throwing candy and Mardi Gras beads to the crowd of on-lookers. Now, the parade had settled into a routine of local churches, civic groups, charities and businesses along with local politicians. The only bits of applause coming for those entrants which were somehow connected to military or patriotic themes.
I brightened up a little when I saw the brave and foolhardy souls campaigning for a Democratic Presidential candidate in Barry County- one doesn't usually see much campaigning for President in these parts outside an occasional bumper sticker, lawn sign or letter to the editor but there was something like 5-10 people marching in support of Barack Obama. I'd heard a contingent would be there to march for Obama so that wasn't a surprise. What surprised me was how the crowd reacted. Normally, when local politicians campaign at such events they are greeted with a sort of polite indifference, most of the litter left after the parade seems to be the cheap photocopied flyers handed by local politicians. Unless a politician is a well-liked, local good old boy, most people tend to see the stumping politicians the way one always sees flies hovering around the rear ends of animals in the summer.
At least half of the crowd, it seemed to me, began to applaud the Obama campaign folks walking by. I even looked around to make sure it wasn't some trick being played on my ears or to see if there was another parade entrant sparking the applause. The crowd's greeting for the local Obama campaign was warm and enthusiastic and was matched perhaps only by the greeting given the stars and stripes at the beginning of the parade.
Now, I know some will read this and pretend as if I'm arguing for an Obama win in Barry County or in the electoral college based on a smattering of applause, though I think it does mean he has a better shot than the chattering class punditry would have you believe (it is obvious to me that the corporate media types need a close election to keep ratings high as elections have become a huge money-maker for the media in an age where people are turning away from traditional media outlets and network TV ratings continue to slide- there's a reason why, despite battleground state polling indicating Obama ahead the media relies more on national polling to show a "tied" race despite Presidential elections being decided in the Electoral College).
The fact that half the people on the street applauded the appearance of the Obama supporters has to be considered a sign of optimism for those who grumble that Democrats seemingly can't win here. I wonder also if that applause wasn't just a "show of hands" from those planning to vote for the candidate being represented but also a sign of approval for the fact that they are bothering at all. Despite being Republican territory in a state very friendly to McCain's previous national campaign, no one bothered to represent the McCain campaign, which also means I couldn't gauge the audience reaction, to compare and contrast.
What I'm actually trying to say is how impressed I am overall in Obama's shoot-the-moon 50-state strategy which has abandoned the often failed Ohio-Pennsylvania-Florida strategy that gave the White House to the GOP from 2000 to the present. Obama has invested a considerable amount of money and effort in new voter registration and opening field offices in remote locations in state which Democrats have failed to contest for a generation. In other words, as someone who follows campaign strategy like some study historical battle tactics, I'm impressed by Obama's embrace and understanding of reaching out to people who have long been ignored by traditional campaigns. And no wonder the media is thoroughly unimpressed- while traditional Presidential campaigns have basically been an air war fought in the millions of dollars of prime time TV advertising, Obama has turned his campaign into a modern Special Ops style campaign which is choosing its targets wisely instead of just going for Shock and Awe and getting outspent by the better financed and more well organized Republican attack machine.
From text messaging to YouTube videos, the Obama campaign is embracing all the tools of the 21st century to reach voters directly instead of allowing the gate keepers with the big media conglomerates to continue to dominate our political discourse. Part of the Republican domination of the last 20 years was built on their strength in direct mail campaigning, one of Bush advisor Karl Rove's claims to fame. Now we see the next phase and it's fascinating to see it play out on a local level.
The fact the Obama campaign has a field organizer in Barry County, not to mention at least one splinter group taking off their local chunk of geography to concentrate on, and that Obama's campaign has increased enthusiasm among people to bother organizing what has been seen for too long as a hopeless effort in Barry County, means that this campaign has already scored a victory for anyone who is troubled by the one-party domination of the area. It helps too that in some ways, the domination of the GOP in Barry County has been over-hyped. A perfect example being in the 2006 Governor's race when Jennifer Granholm took 13 of 26 precincts in Barry County and lost the county by less than 800 votes to almost-local boy Dick DeVos. While it will still be a tough fight, especially if Senator McCain picks almost-local boy Mitt Romney to join the ticket in the VP slot, the fact that the Obama campaign is shaking up status quo politics and conventional wisdom, bringing the fight to Barry County makes me applaud. They may not win, but at least they're fighting....
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Calley, Not Nanny Enough
One of governments jobs involves protecting the welfare of its citizens. This includes making laws that deal with lurking dangers that may not be apparent to all.
In a move that many conservatives would consider furthering the "nanny state", this week Michigan representative Brian Calley (R) introduced legislation that would keep Michigan establishments from selling energy drinks to underage children.
According to the article at the Ionia Sentinal Standard web site:
In an effort to bolster his opinion that such legislation falls into the mainstream, he points to the fact that children are already prohibited from purchasing music, movies and video games, and that his intent is put the decision in the hands of parents as to whether or not their children should be allowed to have access to what many say may be dangerous substances, especially when overly used by developing children.
To be against protective legislation such as this would be against everything that I believe to be true. Government must be able to protect it's citizens from harm, and government has to be a firewall between its citizens looking for safe products that enhance their lives, and corporations who's inherent goal is to make money.
Yet somehow I am apprehensive about the goal in this case. Mr. Calley claims that his intent is "to give more control to area parents, who can make choices for their developing children". The implication in such a sentence (that parents have no control over the buying habits of their children) gives me pause. While claiming control issues for parents on one hand , and writing state legislation that places said control, (and the repercussions of infringement) in the hands of the clerk at the quickie mart, in the other... seems to be a bit disingenuous.
If we find that these drinks have a detrimental effect on the people for who they are intended, and they contain large amounts of drugs that neither you, or I know the effects of, should we not consider more stringent legislation? They are either safe for use, or not. Until this can be determined, maybe these drinks should be under the control of the FDA, clearly labeled as dangerous, or outlawed all together. Pushing the myth that parents have no control over their children's buying habits, sidesteps the point that these drinks may be dangerous.
As I have said, (and as Rep. Calley apparently believes) government must help protect it's citizens. If in fact these drinks are that dangerous, any legislation regarding them, should do much more than merely allow the government to supersede parenting choices.
In a move that many conservatives would consider furthering the "nanny state", this week Michigan representative Brian Calley (R) introduced legislation that would keep Michigan establishments from selling energy drinks to underage children.
According to the article at the Ionia Sentinal Standard web site:
"those younger than 17 would be prohibited from purchasing energy drinks with a caffeine content exceeding 71 milligrams per one 12-ounce serving, as well as containing taurine and glucuronolactone."
In an effort to bolster his opinion that such legislation falls into the mainstream, he points to the fact that children are already prohibited from purchasing music, movies and video games, and that his intent is put the decision in the hands of parents as to whether or not their children should be allowed to have access to what many say may be dangerous substances, especially when overly used by developing children.
To be against protective legislation such as this would be against everything that I believe to be true. Government must be able to protect it's citizens from harm, and government has to be a firewall between its citizens looking for safe products that enhance their lives, and corporations who's inherent goal is to make money.
Yet somehow I am apprehensive about the goal in this case. Mr. Calley claims that his intent is "to give more control to area parents, who can make choices for their developing children". The implication in such a sentence (that parents have no control over the buying habits of their children) gives me pause. While claiming control issues for parents on one hand , and writing state legislation that places said control, (and the repercussions of infringement) in the hands of the clerk at the quickie mart, in the other... seems to be a bit disingenuous.
If we find that these drinks have a detrimental effect on the people for who they are intended, and they contain large amounts of drugs that neither you, or I know the effects of, should we not consider more stringent legislation? They are either safe for use, or not. Until this can be determined, maybe these drinks should be under the control of the FDA, clearly labeled as dangerous, or outlawed all together. Pushing the myth that parents have no control over their children's buying habits, sidesteps the point that these drinks may be dangerous.
As I have said, (and as Rep. Calley apparently believes) government must help protect it's citizens. If in fact these drinks are that dangerous, any legislation regarding them, should do much more than merely allow the government to supersede parenting choices.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Primary results
Some surprising and not-so surprising results coming in. Leaf and Evans look to have comfortable leads (Sheriff's race a blowout). Drain commissioner race between Yarger and Englerth as expected. Jarvis and Smith neck and neck for Clerk post. Commissioner races: Lyons beats Ferris, Stolselberg wins, Bremer on top with 3 out of 4 precincts reporting, Houtman winning with 4 out of 5 reporting, and according to WWMT VanNortwick beat himself by 15 votes?!
UPDATE! According to WXMI: Jarvis takes out Smith, Evans wins, Leaf demolishes Sarver, Burghdoff wins, Yarger edges out Englerth. County board winners: Bremer, Houtman, Lyons, Gibson, Stolsenberg and VanNortwick.
UPDATE 2: Complete Barry County results can be found here. Warning: results are in PDF document- it's only 108 KB file though, so even dial up users should be able to access without a long wait.
UPDATE! According to WXMI: Jarvis takes out Smith, Evans wins, Leaf demolishes Sarver, Burghdoff wins, Yarger edges out Englerth. County board winners: Bremer, Houtman, Lyons, Gibson, Stolsenberg and VanNortwick.
UPDATE 2: Complete Barry County results can be found here. Warning: results are in PDF document- it's only 108 KB file though, so even dial up users should be able to access without a long wait.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Contempt
|kənˈtem(p)t|
noun
the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn : he showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.
• disregard for something that should be taken into account : this action displays an arrogant contempt for the wishes of the majority.
John McCain holds that Barrack Obama is deserving scorn. His attack ads this week are full of anger. Pushing the idea that Senator Obama is arrogant is the new "weapons of mass destruction" argument of the Republican party, as they muddle their way through a lackluster campaign.
Lather, rinse, and repeat as needed.
Much like during the build up to the Iraqi war, bad intelligence is dissembled along with fear rhetoric, in order to build an illegitimate argument. All the while, so called legitimate news outlets (in chorus) repeat these assertions, showing once again that news agencies are less interested in presenting facts, than joining in with the kind of "group think" that led us into war with a nation that was a less than adequate threat.
All of this is should be considered politics, as normal. Not merely reserved for those on the top of a political ticket, this strategy of hand slights has oozed itself downward into seemingly mundane ballot races. Even those that many would consider immune from gotcha politics.
Setup's, and name calling are used in such a way as to bait undecided voters into their unsavory arguments. If straight forward issues are easy enough to wade through for the voters, mirror flashes, and puffs of smoke are employed with seeming ease in order to remedy already formed decisions on clear cut choices.
Suddenly the subject of law enforcement is quickly changed from questions of previous performance, and crime rates, to highly contentious subjects involving gun rights. Forced to the forefront, in a confrontational manner, for political gain, not because there was an overwhelming need for people to strap on a deadly weapon for self defense, but because the non-issue issue could be employed as a means of showing contempt for the opposing candidate.
Blowback
The missing part in all of this is the reaction by the citizens that are being prodded, and harassed, through the claims, and actions of the attacking candidates. While it has been proven these tactics work in the short term, without a continuous stream of valid attacks they tend to fizzle out.
Tomorrow we may well know if the short quick actions taken by Sheriff Dar's camp were effective. So late in the game it may have had it's intended effect.
Though, I doubt it.
There has been enough time for the citizens in this county to see how their quiet, if not murder free, environment has been made fun of for political gain. Seemingly parallel in action, the attacks on Senator Obama using a suddenly vibrant electorate in order to paint him as a "rock star" may miss the mark, and rile the anger of said electorate.
As well it should
For some time now, here on this blog, and others, the mocking of an apathetic electorate has been great sport. On the streets of the nation, excuses for not taking up ones civil duty are myriad.
noun
the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn : he showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.
• disregard for something that should be taken into account : this action displays an arrogant contempt for the wishes of the majority.
John McCain holds that Barrack Obama is deserving scorn. His attack ads this week are full of anger. Pushing the idea that Senator Obama is arrogant is the new "weapons of mass destruction" argument of the Republican party, as they muddle their way through a lackluster campaign.
Lather, rinse, and repeat as needed.
Much like during the build up to the Iraqi war, bad intelligence is dissembled along with fear rhetoric, in order to build an illegitimate argument. All the while, so called legitimate news outlets (in chorus) repeat these assertions, showing once again that news agencies are less interested in presenting facts, than joining in with the kind of "group think" that led us into war with a nation that was a less than adequate threat.
All of this is should be considered politics, as normal. Not merely reserved for those on the top of a political ticket, this strategy of hand slights has oozed itself downward into seemingly mundane ballot races. Even those that many would consider immune from gotcha politics.
Setup's, and name calling are used in such a way as to bait undecided voters into their unsavory arguments. If straight forward issues are easy enough to wade through for the voters, mirror flashes, and puffs of smoke are employed with seeming ease in order to remedy already formed decisions on clear cut choices.
Suddenly the subject of law enforcement is quickly changed from questions of previous performance, and crime rates, to highly contentious subjects involving gun rights. Forced to the forefront, in a confrontational manner, for political gain, not because there was an overwhelming need for people to strap on a deadly weapon for self defense, but because the non-issue issue could be employed as a means of showing contempt for the opposing candidate.
Blowback
The missing part in all of this is the reaction by the citizens that are being prodded, and harassed, through the claims, and actions of the attacking candidates. While it has been proven these tactics work in the short term, without a continuous stream of valid attacks they tend to fizzle out.
Tomorrow we may well know if the short quick actions taken by Sheriff Dar's camp were effective. So late in the game it may have had it's intended effect.
Though, I doubt it.
There has been enough time for the citizens in this county to see how their quiet, if not murder free, environment has been made fun of for political gain. Seemingly parallel in action, the attacks on Senator Obama using a suddenly vibrant electorate in order to paint him as a "rock star" may miss the mark, and rile the anger of said electorate.
As well it should
For some time now, here on this blog, and others, the mocking of an apathetic electorate has been great sport. On the streets of the nation, excuses for not taking up ones civil duty are myriad.
"Why should I care?, They are all crooks!"
"I am voting for the "lesser of two evils"
"I am voting for the "lesser of two evils"
are but a couple of phrases used, in the call to non-action. I hear them more, and more as this election grows tired.
Tired, not because people have a choice that has a modicum of difference in platforms. To the contrary platforms have never been so different in intent. Tired because voters are being used as pawns in games of gotcha politics, and Voters themselves are being held in contempt by politicians.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Pol Watcher's Primary Picks
Here are my picks for the contested races in Barry County in the Tuesday, August 5, 2008 primary...
Barry County Board of Commissioners
Note: District 1 (the city of Hastings) and District 5 (Maple Grove, Castleton and Assyria Townships) have no challengers so the board will retain incumbents Don Nevins and Mike Callton. With two retirements and one commissioner seeking the Drain Commissioner post we know the board will see some turnover even without any incumbents going down. Surprisingly, given that in the last few years we've had some hot button issues on the county level including the Charlton Park millages, the County 9-1-1 charges and counter-suits and the TOST ordinance, most of these races have been low key, almost dull. Compared to the county-wide races, I don't see a similar level of spending or discussion of key issues. Outside of the open seats, it's looks like a good year to be an incumbent.
District 2 (Thornapple and part of Irving Township)- The retirement of James French has paved the way for a field of four challengers. This is a tough choice but I'd have to go with Mike Bremer. His long history of service and involvement with youth recreation make him a good choice. There's no doubt in my mind he's ready to do the job and will represent his constituents well.
District 3 (Hope and Rutland Twp.)- Joe Lyons is challenging incumbent Keith Ferris. I like Ferris' willingness to speak his mind and take tough stands. He's not afraid to lead. In fact, if Ferris wanted the job he could probably be chair- I have no doubt he'd be a solid one. Lyons hasn't given me much of a reason to dump Ferris who's been a very able commissioner and should get another term on the board. I give Lyons credit for running an honorable campaign, and maybe he thinks that enough people know him and will support him but I'd have liked to seen a little more as far as want he wants to do if elected, or even a reason why he's running.
District 4 (Carlton, part of Hastings Charter and Irving Townships)- Incumbent "Hoot" Gibson looked like a promising newcomer four years ago. Sadly, for four years Gibson has gone with the flow, told people what they wanted to hear and generally just soaked up taxpayer money to pay his salary and many per diems while ignoring his many promises from the previous campaign. Denise Straley hasn't run a great campaign but she represents a chance to ditch dead weight and make a politician pay for not fulfilling the promises of their campign rhetoric. Straley also earns high marks for being vocal in supporting the Drug Court.
District 6- (Yankee Springs and part of Orangeville Township)- Commissioner Mark Englerth is stepping aside to run for County Drain Commissioner. Four years ago Englerth ran a tireless campaign to take out incumbent Claire Tripp. Tripp is trying to get her odd job back and needs to be Craig Stolsenberg to do so. Stolsenberg is supported by Englerth who hopefully showed him what it took to defeat Tripp. Englerth doesn't always play well with others and had his trouble being one of 8 commissioners. Meanwhile, Tripp was always a reliable member of the "insiders" who represents the same old politics voters have rejected in the past. The voters of Yankee Springs and Orangeville need to keep Tripp off the board and pick Stolsenberg.
District 7 (Assyria, Baltimore, and Johnstown Townships)- Voters chose wisely four years when they picked Jeff VanNortwick over incumbent Tom Wing. Voters chose wisely again when Wing's supporters tried to single out VanNortwick and attempted to have him recalled for his support of the TOST ordinance. Mike Boles is simply yet another attempt by the same small group to enact political revenge. Voters should once again make the right choice and re-elect VanNortwick.
District 8 (Prairieville, Barry and part of Orangeville Township)- Wayne Adams is retiring and three seek his spot on the board. One, Mark Robinson, already dropped out for "personal" reasons. Issues have surfaced with candidate Robert Houtman who once got into hot water while working in Kalamazoo. The issue resurfaced too close to election time for a full airing of what happened, but it has left many wanting to avoid it coming up after the election is already over and distracting the board from dealing with new issues. Many people I've talked to are reluctantly supporting Jim Alden due to what they see at Houtman's "baggage."
This race is a good example of why I think the debate formula is flawed as it lumped all 8 county board races into one debate and didn't allow for any great back and forth between candidates in individual races or debate of issues specific to any particular race. Next time I hope we can see debates actually take place in the districts for those seats which should spur greater attendance and a more in-depth discussion of the local issues affecting each race.
Barry County Clerk - Incumbent Clerk Debbie Smith is under fire for the recent embezzlement of funds that took place within her office. Two of her employees were stealing money and her office procedures didn't catch the crime. I've never been a fan of Smith and as far as I'm concerned this is the last straw. However, with two challengers in the race we should see the vote split amongst those who agree that Smith's time as clerk should be over. Mark Whitney has ran a good campaign, spent lots of money and seems like a nice man. Whitney, however, is just simply not qualified to do the job and his campaign literature almost admits as much. Whitney might be an acceptable choice when compared to Smith, but voters have a much better choice in Pam Jarvis. Jarvis is experience, professional and fully capable of taking over the job on her first day in the office. Voters should choose Pam Jarvis to be our next County Clerk.
Barry County Drain Commissioner - For some reason the field is crowded with 7 candidates. Perhaps it's the economy. Perhaps it's that for the first time in a long time a Barry County official stepped aside with first appointing a successor. First, let's admit that Kevin Allerding has spent lots of money and campaigned hard but shows absolutely zero qualifications for the job. Jan Kelly seems to be popular in the Nashville area but given that his campaign has mostly consisted of people trumpeting his support from Right to Life (which might have something to due with his church affiliation I'm told), but unless the Drain Commissioners' job is to protect fetuses I'm not sure that means anything. Mark Doster might be qualified but pretty much admitted he's simply a kamikaze candidate aimed at taking down Mark Englerth. Englerth has spent tons of money in his campaign, maybe that money would have been put to better use paying his overdue tax bills. Englerth seems to feel inconvenienced that people, okay Doster, have brought up his delinquent taxes but this was also an issue four years ago and the problem seem to be getting worse. Even more, he's not even the most qualified person in the race. Dennis McKelvey seems very qualified but I haven't noticed any real campaign from him. In the Republican field, Russ Yarger seems to be the best choice if you are looking for experience and knowledge of the position and also looking for someone who can win. Yarger has ran a campaign to win and also has the backing of the current Drain Commissioner, Tom Doyle. In a crowded field there's a real chance someone unqualified could slip through, let's hope voters make solid choice. I think the best shot for voters looking for competence is Russ Yarger in the Republican primary.
You might be thinking I forgot Rosemary Anger. Anger chose to run as a Democrat, perhaps a wise choice given how crowded the GOP primary is and how much the candidates were wiling to spend. Anger is supremely qualified, smart and it would be nice to see a Democrat in a county-wide office for the first time in decades it seems. If one of the lesser candidates gets past voters on the Republican ticket, Anger could be the last chance in November. I'd like to the see the losing GOP candidates back Anger and help her raise money if it means stopping someone who can't do or doesn't deserve the job.
Barry County Prosecutor - Current prosecutor Tom Evans is a very nice guy. He's dedicated to the community and is involved in local causes. His wife is a very personable and friendly woman who has likely helped Evans get where he is. However, I just don't think Evans is a good prosecutor. I said as much four years ago when I decided Julie Nakfoor-Pratt was the choice for voters. However, some saw Pratt as protecting the insider's club and voters gave her the boot. I felt Evans wasn't able to make his case in the campaign and probably wouldn't do much better in court. I think I was proven right, though I'm not gloating about it. Evans went public with sensational charges against 9-1-1 Director Nystrom but seemingly couldn't back them up. Nystrom got a nice retirement gift from taxpayers and even gave back... a suit charging the prosecutor, the sheriff and the local newspaper publisher with a conspiracy to destroy his career. Frankly, Evans seems to me the one that blew it most, going in front of the media with accusations he didn't even seem to know the definition, much less that he could prove. A prosecutor shouldn't go with charges he can't make stick and he sure as hell shouldn't try cases in the media (something which got a former prosecutor in hot water, part of the reason he stepped down and Pratt took over). I don't feel like I'm entirely sold on challenger Kerri Selleck, but given Evans' rather weak record I think voters should give Selleck a chance to prove what she can do.
Barry County Sheriff - It took me a while to decide on this one. On the one hand I feel like Jerry Sarver is often too opposed to making information public, a problem that lead to some of the issues surrounding Barry County 9-1-1. On the other hand, incumbent Sheriff Dar Leaf is simply too cozy with the radical elements that use his support to further their fringe causes. Leaf has also not been a strong enough manager at the local animal shelter and we've seen a recent tragedy involving the deaths of many animals because of a refusal to allow volunteers to work in the shelter due to the presence of jail inmates and an absence of any leadership that would be able to continue the inmate work program and also allow volunteer workers. After the recent political stunt where advocates of limitless gun rights brandished their arms in downtown Hastings, making a circus in order to try to humiliate the Chief of Police in the waning days of a political campaign, I've come to the conclusion that Jerry Sarver should be the next Sheriff of Barry County. Sarver's three degrees (including a Master's in Public Administration) place him head and shoulders above Leaf as far as qualifications, and the fact that he didn't take the bait during the recent Pistol Parade through the downtown streets of Hastings (which, obviously was done with the blessing of Leaf since people heavily involved in his campaign were leading the charge) means he has the temperament to keep his cool when the heat is on.
Barry County Board of Commissioners
Note: District 1 (the city of Hastings) and District 5 (Maple Grove, Castleton and Assyria Townships) have no challengers so the board will retain incumbents Don Nevins and Mike Callton. With two retirements and one commissioner seeking the Drain Commissioner post we know the board will see some turnover even without any incumbents going down. Surprisingly, given that in the last few years we've had some hot button issues on the county level including the Charlton Park millages, the County 9-1-1 charges and counter-suits and the TOST ordinance, most of these races have been low key, almost dull. Compared to the county-wide races, I don't see a similar level of spending or discussion of key issues. Outside of the open seats, it's looks like a good year to be an incumbent.
District 2 (Thornapple and part of Irving Township)- The retirement of James French has paved the way for a field of four challengers. This is a tough choice but I'd have to go with Mike Bremer. His long history of service and involvement with youth recreation make him a good choice. There's no doubt in my mind he's ready to do the job and will represent his constituents well.
District 3 (Hope and Rutland Twp.)- Joe Lyons is challenging incumbent Keith Ferris. I like Ferris' willingness to speak his mind and take tough stands. He's not afraid to lead. In fact, if Ferris wanted the job he could probably be chair- I have no doubt he'd be a solid one. Lyons hasn't given me much of a reason to dump Ferris who's been a very able commissioner and should get another term on the board. I give Lyons credit for running an honorable campaign, and maybe he thinks that enough people know him and will support him but I'd have liked to seen a little more as far as want he wants to do if elected, or even a reason why he's running.
District 4 (Carlton, part of Hastings Charter and Irving Townships)- Incumbent "Hoot" Gibson looked like a promising newcomer four years ago. Sadly, for four years Gibson has gone with the flow, told people what they wanted to hear and generally just soaked up taxpayer money to pay his salary and many per diems while ignoring his many promises from the previous campaign. Denise Straley hasn't run a great campaign but she represents a chance to ditch dead weight and make a politician pay for not fulfilling the promises of their campign rhetoric. Straley also earns high marks for being vocal in supporting the Drug Court.
District 6- (Yankee Springs and part of Orangeville Township)- Commissioner Mark Englerth is stepping aside to run for County Drain Commissioner. Four years ago Englerth ran a tireless campaign to take out incumbent Claire Tripp. Tripp is trying to get her odd job back and needs to be Craig Stolsenberg to do so. Stolsenberg is supported by Englerth who hopefully showed him what it took to defeat Tripp. Englerth doesn't always play well with others and had his trouble being one of 8 commissioners. Meanwhile, Tripp was always a reliable member of the "insiders" who represents the same old politics voters have rejected in the past. The voters of Yankee Springs and Orangeville need to keep Tripp off the board and pick Stolsenberg.
District 7 (Assyria, Baltimore, and Johnstown Townships)- Voters chose wisely four years when they picked Jeff VanNortwick over incumbent Tom Wing. Voters chose wisely again when Wing's supporters tried to single out VanNortwick and attempted to have him recalled for his support of the TOST ordinance. Mike Boles is simply yet another attempt by the same small group to enact political revenge. Voters should once again make the right choice and re-elect VanNortwick.
District 8 (Prairieville, Barry and part of Orangeville Township)- Wayne Adams is retiring and three seek his spot on the board. One, Mark Robinson, already dropped out for "personal" reasons. Issues have surfaced with candidate Robert Houtman who once got into hot water while working in Kalamazoo. The issue resurfaced too close to election time for a full airing of what happened, but it has left many wanting to avoid it coming up after the election is already over and distracting the board from dealing with new issues. Many people I've talked to are reluctantly supporting Jim Alden due to what they see at Houtman's "baggage."
This race is a good example of why I think the debate formula is flawed as it lumped all 8 county board races into one debate and didn't allow for any great back and forth between candidates in individual races or debate of issues specific to any particular race. Next time I hope we can see debates actually take place in the districts for those seats which should spur greater attendance and a more in-depth discussion of the local issues affecting each race.
Barry County Clerk - Incumbent Clerk Debbie Smith is under fire for the recent embezzlement of funds that took place within her office. Two of her employees were stealing money and her office procedures didn't catch the crime. I've never been a fan of Smith and as far as I'm concerned this is the last straw. However, with two challengers in the race we should see the vote split amongst those who agree that Smith's time as clerk should be over. Mark Whitney has ran a good campaign, spent lots of money and seems like a nice man. Whitney, however, is just simply not qualified to do the job and his campaign literature almost admits as much. Whitney might be an acceptable choice when compared to Smith, but voters have a much better choice in Pam Jarvis. Jarvis is experience, professional and fully capable of taking over the job on her first day in the office. Voters should choose Pam Jarvis to be our next County Clerk.
Barry County Drain Commissioner - For some reason the field is crowded with 7 candidates. Perhaps it's the economy. Perhaps it's that for the first time in a long time a Barry County official stepped aside with first appointing a successor. First, let's admit that Kevin Allerding has spent lots of money and campaigned hard but shows absolutely zero qualifications for the job. Jan Kelly seems to be popular in the Nashville area but given that his campaign has mostly consisted of people trumpeting his support from Right to Life (which might have something to due with his church affiliation I'm told), but unless the Drain Commissioners' job is to protect fetuses I'm not sure that means anything. Mark Doster might be qualified but pretty much admitted he's simply a kamikaze candidate aimed at taking down Mark Englerth. Englerth has spent tons of money in his campaign, maybe that money would have been put to better use paying his overdue tax bills. Englerth seems to feel inconvenienced that people, okay Doster, have brought up his delinquent taxes but this was also an issue four years ago and the problem seem to be getting worse. Even more, he's not even the most qualified person in the race. Dennis McKelvey seems very qualified but I haven't noticed any real campaign from him. In the Republican field, Russ Yarger seems to be the best choice if you are looking for experience and knowledge of the position and also looking for someone who can win. Yarger has ran a campaign to win and also has the backing of the current Drain Commissioner, Tom Doyle. In a crowded field there's a real chance someone unqualified could slip through, let's hope voters make solid choice. I think the best shot for voters looking for competence is Russ Yarger in the Republican primary.
You might be thinking I forgot Rosemary Anger. Anger chose to run as a Democrat, perhaps a wise choice given how crowded the GOP primary is and how much the candidates were wiling to spend. Anger is supremely qualified, smart and it would be nice to see a Democrat in a county-wide office for the first time in decades it seems. If one of the lesser candidates gets past voters on the Republican ticket, Anger could be the last chance in November. I'd like to the see the losing GOP candidates back Anger and help her raise money if it means stopping someone who can't do or doesn't deserve the job.
Barry County Prosecutor - Current prosecutor Tom Evans is a very nice guy. He's dedicated to the community and is involved in local causes. His wife is a very personable and friendly woman who has likely helped Evans get where he is. However, I just don't think Evans is a good prosecutor. I said as much four years ago when I decided Julie Nakfoor-Pratt was the choice for voters. However, some saw Pratt as protecting the insider's club and voters gave her the boot. I felt Evans wasn't able to make his case in the campaign and probably wouldn't do much better in court. I think I was proven right, though I'm not gloating about it. Evans went public with sensational charges against 9-1-1 Director Nystrom but seemingly couldn't back them up. Nystrom got a nice retirement gift from taxpayers and even gave back... a suit charging the prosecutor, the sheriff and the local newspaper publisher with a conspiracy to destroy his career. Frankly, Evans seems to me the one that blew it most, going in front of the media with accusations he didn't even seem to know the definition, much less that he could prove. A prosecutor shouldn't go with charges he can't make stick and he sure as hell shouldn't try cases in the media (something which got a former prosecutor in hot water, part of the reason he stepped down and Pratt took over). I don't feel like I'm entirely sold on challenger Kerri Selleck, but given Evans' rather weak record I think voters should give Selleck a chance to prove what she can do.
Barry County Sheriff - It took me a while to decide on this one. On the one hand I feel like Jerry Sarver is often too opposed to making information public, a problem that lead to some of the issues surrounding Barry County 9-1-1. On the other hand, incumbent Sheriff Dar Leaf is simply too cozy with the radical elements that use his support to further their fringe causes. Leaf has also not been a strong enough manager at the local animal shelter and we've seen a recent tragedy involving the deaths of many animals because of a refusal to allow volunteers to work in the shelter due to the presence of jail inmates and an absence of any leadership that would be able to continue the inmate work program and also allow volunteer workers. After the recent political stunt where advocates of limitless gun rights brandished their arms in downtown Hastings, making a circus in order to try to humiliate the Chief of Police in the waning days of a political campaign, I've come to the conclusion that Jerry Sarver should be the next Sheriff of Barry County. Sarver's three degrees (including a Master's in Public Administration) place him head and shoulders above Leaf as far as qualifications, and the fact that he didn't take the bait during the recent Pistol Parade through the downtown streets of Hastings (which, obviously was done with the blessing of Leaf since people heavily involved in his campaign were leading the charge) means he has the temperament to keep his cool when the heat is on.
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