On local government: Whom do you trust?
From a staggering economic situation, which seems as persistent as a slipped vertebral disc in our ability to shake its effects, to consistent examples of blatant corruption, governments at all levels are receiving levels of scorn that are sometimes even earned. But, whether they are or not, many people believe the worst and are therefore, becoming more and more alienated from the process of making it better.
The surest sign of this alienation will come in June and November of this year when Californians will be asked to go to the polls to vote in primary and general elections. This will be an election in which candidates, to a great extent, have been placed on the ballot because of their ability to pay for the privilege rather than by any other means.
The mantra of these people is that their business experience will make them better government leaders, despite the fact that, even though many have claimed that as their platform for elective office, there is no evidence that a business background will make you a better government executive or legislator.
That’s because government is not a business and cannot be run as one.
Take the Postal Service. People constantly complain about it, about its seemingly perennially rising rates and its hidebound methods. “Why can’t it run like FedEx?” some ask.
Well, it can’t. That’s because if FedEx doesn’t want to deliver to some outpost in northern Alaska, it doesn’t have to. The Postal Service does…six times a week.
Government can’t run like a business because businesses can make decisions on service delivery, including pricing, which governments can’t. Simple.
So, we are being led to believe that all these monied “business” interests, including those wishing to buy playthings for themselves like Governorships and senate seats, are going to alter how government operates.
Baloney.
The costliest judicial race in the United States was held in 2004 in Illinois. About $9.4 million was spent between two candidates. The winner received $350,000 from a group of attorneys and companies with a major liability case before the court. He voted to reverse a lower court decision, thus saving the company who gave the contribution about half a billion dollars.
All this isn’t about us. It’s about the people with “the juice.”
Only we can change it. Think about it if you are going to vote. Think about voting if you think you aren’t. We need you. ER