Is there relevance to the connection, in our local city council race, of a candidate’s support for the U.S. President? I would say YES, and here’s why: A few weeks ago, council candidate George Sayler said, at a public forum, that he thinks Obama has been “good for Idaho”. This statement tells me that George is completely out of touch with the real world of our local economy.
The Obama administration policies, especially banking regulations, have been terrible for small business and have contributed greatly to the closure of local enterprises, ultimately costing jobs. And in the midst of this severe economic downturn nationally, what has the Obama administration focused its time and effort on?…Not helping to create jobs by reducing spending and lowering taxes, which are proven methods to help business investment and jobs. No, the President used his power, in the midst of a severe recession, to push a massive spending program called Obamacare, (pass it before you read it) which has been another major job killer.
Now let’s draw a clearer correlation to George Sayler’s unwavering support of Obama. George said he voted for Obama and plans to do so again. The City of CdA, like the Obama administration, has not cut spending. They didn’t lay off any city employees during this recession, even though the demand for certain city services, like building permits, inspections and planning was greatly reduced. And they have continued to give city employees raises and merit pay increases, even though the local unemployment rate was, and still is, near 11%.
Also like Obama, the mayor and council tried using their power to push through the $40 Million dollar plan for McEuen Field, which would include ripping out a historic ball field and a well-used boat launch. No public vote needed they said.
George Sayler has stated he is in support of the City’s plan for McEuen. He also said he does not think a public vote is necessary but his caveat is that he’d be willing to second a motion on the city council so the group could discuss it. That conversation would almost certainly last about 30 seconds and end in no public vote. George would be willing to go along with the power structure; he’s good at that.
So, if you love the Obama method of ignoring the desperate need for sensible economic policies that stimulate job growth, and instead like having your government, local or national, focus on pushing huge, expensive agenda items that damage business confidence and thereby kill jobs, vote for George. He embraces the Obama & current CdA city council methods.
A liberal is a liberal before and above all else, a liberal.
Comment by Ancientemplar — November 7, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
While we’re on that subject a friend mentioned to me just today that the liberals have given up on the statehouse in Idaho in trying to swing the political majority to the Democrats. A very difficult task as it is a series of partisan elections. Rather,they have and will continue to focus on the city elections throughout the state because the elections are non-partisan and much more easily swayed. Makes sense.
Comment by Ancientemplar — November 7, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
Well AncientT, the logic you pose may make sense in old school politics, but the electorate is getting more and more sophisticated and educated and thus, not so easily fooled by candidates claiming so called non partisanship.
Comment by Gary Ingram — November 7, 2011 @ 4:57 pm
“Liberals have given up on the statehouse in Idaho. Rather,they have and will continue to focus on the city elections throughout the state because the elections are non-partisan and much more easily swayed”. Ancient
I can believe that. Is that why Sayler gave up his seat, by not running for re-election last time? It’s possible that he’s the guy the ‘powers that be’ hope to put into Hassels seat on the CDA city council, to continue its business as usual agenda.
Comment by kageman — November 7, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
Not Sayler, but I came across this yesterday: http://lovecda.com/news/city-council-elections-2011-seat-1 The comments link out to a post by Graves on Huckleberries where he lends support to an environmental crazytalk tax of 25 cents per plastic grocery bag. :facepalm:
I wish there was someone else to vote for in seat 1. On one hand you have a guy who has been in there forever and supports every urban renewal project that comes along except McEuen. On the other hand you have a guy who apparently buys into the environmentalist agenda hook, line, and sinker. Blech.
Comment by Adonis — November 8, 2011 @ 8:50 am
Adonis,
Welcome, and thanks for commenting.
You’ve nicely summarized the frustration many people feel in the Edinger – Graves election. The only alternative at the polls is to not vote for either of them. When the election has been tabulated and the unofficial results announced later on tonight, it will be interesting to look at the total number of votes cast in each of the three council races. If the total votes cast in Edinger-Graves is significantly fewer than in either of the other two, it would indicate that many voters agreed with your wish for better choices.
Comment by Bill — November 8, 2011 @ 9:11 am
Welcome Adonis, glad you are commenting here! Your first comment has to be approved, which I did, so now it shows up. Any further comments will show immediately.
I read your interesting link…any fee for a grocery bag seems silly. Some folks think government should mandate everything about our lives. Have we lost all power to make independent decisions?
I feel your pain about the choice for Seat #1…tough one.
Comment by mary — November 8, 2011 @ 9:13 am
Thanks for the welcomes. 🙂 I’ve lurked around the website for a long time, but when I came across that it was the first time I really had something to add to the conversation. I’m really interested in seeing the results of this election…hopefully we see some positive changes in the Council for seats 3 and 5. I’m still agonizing over seat 1. Maybe I’ll do a write-in if that’s allowed.
Comment by Adonis — November 8, 2011 @ 9:29 am
Write-ins are allowed, Adonis, but they mean nothing. What they do is kick your ballot out of the machine so it has to be counted by hand at the end of the cycle. The only time write-ins work is when there’s an organized effort to get large numbers of people to write in the same name, and spell it correctly. It’s a tough thing to do.
That withstanding, I think Mickey Mouse gets votes every year!
Comment by mary — November 8, 2011 @ 11:05 am
Good to know. I just feel strange leaving things blank on the ballot.
Comment by Adonis — November 8, 2011 @ 11:41 am
Adonis, the write-in also has to be registered with the election office as an official write-in.
Comment by Ancientemplar — November 8, 2011 @ 3:37 pm