“A legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law“.- Justice John Marshall

LEGISLATOR

I believe the legislator’s top two priorities in the people’s government are to safeguard the U.S. Constitution against anyone, inside or outside government, who would undercut or chip away at the citizen’s rights, through whatever means, and to represent the citizens interests, not the Mayor’s, not their fellow councilpersons (unless they are acting in the citizens interests) nor any other person or entity whose interest is outside that of the citizens. I take that responsibility seriously and with steadfast principals and dedication will ensure that direction is followed. It is how this government was set up to work and that is how I will proceed within it. Bottom line, plain and simple. If this is not a councilperson’s priority otherwise, in word and deed, then they are clearly there for any number of other reasons, priorities or associations other than the citizens themselves. I caution the voters to examine motivations and actions of all in government thoroughly as well as demand depth of information from them when they’re running for office and to verbalize their feelings and opinions when they get in. Shadowy people run shadow governments. Open people run open ones.

CRONYISM & PATRONAGE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Within Whitehall Council, I have witnessed, too often, how some have chosen their personal relationships, affiliations and associations with the Mayor or their buddies, over or to the harm of, the citizens themselves. This is never acceptable and, quite honestly, shameful of those who represent the people’s voice. That they don’t understand or heed the simple and apparent wrong in this manner of governing, for those who do know and understand its wrong, is striking. Its like being around adults who were never taught elementary manners. It takes one aback and is really quite surprising. Nevertheless, it is positively, absolutely, untrustworthy. If you cannot stand, with courage, and speak how it is you really feel and stand firmly where your principals must, then you are a coward and don’t deserve a place as the citizen’s voice. How can one be entrusted to act in the citizen’s interests when you place more importance on your associations within government? Simply said, it is their interests which you are there for in the first place. If you can’t contain your partiality for others in government, subtle or otherwise, it is a clear conflict of interest to your first priorities. Can the citizens trust you to act on their behalf when the time comes, over those of your friendships and whom you owe favors? We can’t tell. Nor trust. That’s not okay.

CHARACTER MATTERS

The fact of the matter is though, that people (regular citizens like you and me) who get elected, bring with them their own individual personalities and psychologies, those which can, in some, be troublesome and problematic, particularly for the citizens and/or The Constitution. (The Affable Authoritarian, The Glad-Hander, The Needy Co-Dependent, The Two-Faced Conniver, The Silent Do-Nothing, all of whom I’ve seen there) Those whose behavior may, or may not be, a detriment to the government and its citizens, that which is not always so obvious. It can be subtle and little noticed at times, particularly if one is either not paying close attention or attention at all (or their bias compels them to look away). This is why information about the candidates extended to inform the voting public is key, that which the citizens must demand of those who ask them to be their elective voice. Information matters because their personalities; what psychologies and behaviors they bring to decision-making once in office, will shape and decide what your future will be and how it will be enacted. That is why there appear to be fountains of information about myself within this blog. I extend it to you out of respect for the voter/citizen and because it is the right thing to do. I have nothing to hide, respect the voters right to know and want to ensure that their obligation (voting) is responsibly applied. I firmly believe that you have a right to know who you’re electing and to examine for yourself information which can help you make an informed, competent decision. That is what I do for you, the voters, as a candidate wishing to serve you. Character and information are vital. There should be no sympathy for those who pay little to no attention in elections and entrust their sacred vote to silent people who then do damage to the city (in a mulititude of ways, small and large) and then complain bitterly about the results of their choices. It is before the election, when the voters have every opportunity and right to investigate and know who is asking to be their representative voice in government, that their thorough inquiries should and must be made to circumvent bad/harmful governing. Otherwise they get exactly what it is that they allowed in, either through commission or ommission. In that, we all lose.