“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato
Hello all. Welcome to my blog. Here I hope to provide a sense of who I am, how I would resolve situations of government, and in general let you know how I would govern. Before I decided to run for office, myself and a few politically included friends would often joke that it was time to grab our pitchforks and torches and demand change from the Legislature. I have seen two episodes in the last few years that show government can act responsibly and quickly–the water crisis and the teacher’s strike. But it took the people, acting as one, threatening to end politicians’ careers to make it happen. And I think politicians should always be afraid for their jobs. Far too often our political “leaders” view the public as someone to discount, lie to, throw some red meat to, and expect them to take it. I think that the only way for permanent, systemic change in WV is for the public to stay engaged, active, and very aware of what is going on. And I promise when elected to make that easier to do.
Whenever the public demands meaningful change the same pattern is repeated:
- The people are ignored.
- Then the people in power declare that the people are ignorant and unknowing of the complexities of the problem.
- Then when the demands increase those in power attempt to discredit those advocating for change.
- Then they try to punish people and cowe them into submitting.
- Then when those in power realize that yes, this is serious and no this isn’t going away, then they run scared to give in to the demands.
- Wait a few months then take credit for solving the problem.
Here are some real examples from the Water Crisis and the Teacher’s Strike.
“We’ve got this amazing water filtration system and yes the water smells but it’s absolutely safe. Here I’ll drink a glass and show you.”
“Yes we’re having an influx of people going to the ER for rashes. But we think this is just overuse of hand sanitizer and we’d encourage people to realize the water is safe.”
“This entire strike is being agitated by a few union leaders, not the teachers themselves.”
The Attorney General gave a press release where he said the strike was illegal and he stood ready to take legal action against striking teachers should the Legislature wish.
An attempt was made to take away the pensions of the union leaders.
A law WAS PASSED that made it harder for Unions to collect fees.
And a slew of Republican politicians have taken credit for raising the teachers’ salaries when it took a work stoppage to force them to. They were the problem that needed to be overcome, not the solution.
One last note. You see politicians … most politicians that is … are only concerned with staying in power. You find a politician that is willing to give up their job for something they believe in — reelect that person. And because of this politicians cater to those who most of the time can secure their reelection. Political insiders, business leaders, wealthy donors, etc. But in a democracy the people hold the absolute, final power. And while it is not often wielded, it overcomes every other form of power out there. I have seen it wielded twice in the last few years. And I have seen politicians run cowering away when this power was deployed. I don’t think it should take the mobilization of public power constantly to secure change and I would like to work to make the public’s voice heard more powerfully. But never doubt your power to affect change. Never doubt that absolute power is vested in the people in this country. Never doubt that each and every one of you is a powerful force for change.
So why Pitchforks and Torches? Because the threat of that is what makes change happen. A people engaged, aware, and active is a powerful thing. And I look forward to helping West Virginia become that and realizing their true power.