By: Steve Trubilla
Often it is asked why we cannot simply come together and find solutions to many of the problems we face?
In large part it is because we have been betrayed by leaders we have trusted.
Those that think the rules do not apply to them; they say one thing and do another.
If you think about it, most of the things we differ on have little to do with what we personally want or believe, and have more to do with what someone else would have us believe.
How many times have you found yourself at odds with someone, not because you disagreed with them personally, but because you were trying to support a friend? Then to only find out the friend was wrong in what they were saying.
It turned out the person was not a friend at all, just someone pursuing a personal agenda. At the end of it all, you found yourself “holding the bag,” and left with hard feelings with people you personally did not even know or really disagree with.
Politics, for many, is a game of deception. Words like loyalty and integrity are beyond their ability to comprehend. Often they are so consumed with self-interest they themselves do not even realize how pompous they have become, and become indignant if you question them.
Generally speaking, if you take a step back from them, they are easily exposed. Instead of discussing things rationally they get louder and resort to insults and personal attacks.
Words like betrayal and arrogance become the tools of their art. Some are so good at it they will convince people to contribute to their campaigns. Then when it serves their interest, without even a moment’s thought, they will walk on the very people that have helped them.
When it comes to politicians I have found that their political party is not the best, and certainly not the only measuring stick to use to decide on who you are going to vote for.
There are “scumbags” in both parties. Anyone that tells you different is either just giving you a sales pitch or they are an idiot.
This year, listen to everyone, and vote for who you feel is best, not for the person someone else tells you to vote for.
Part two of this week’s column:
In response to former North Carolina Democratic State Sen. Douglas Berger’s letter to the editor appearing in the Feb. 6 edition of The Franklin Times, I offer the following.
In that letter he, openly made statements impugning the integrity and fidelity of an incumbent, and member of his own political party, that is facing a primary challenge.
North Carolina Democratic Convention June 2012 Resolutions; Resolution Number 5, reads as follow: “Resolution to confirm party policy requiring neutrality in Democratic Party primaries.”
Douglas Berger is a seasoned politician, and an acknowledged leader in the Franklin County Democratic Party.
He knows better than this, yet he has openly and notoriously violated this policy.
There is a reason political parties adopt polices of neutrality in primary elections. In large part it has to do with allowing voters within their party to evaluate candidates on their merits without undue influence from party political operatives that may be pursuing their own personal agenda.
Party officials have control over, and access to considerable resources. This includes the bully pulpit at meetings. If they employ these resources they have the ability to influence the outcome of an election; pick the winner before the voters cast their ballots.
There is great debate over whether or not there is fraud in our electoral process. The dynamics of this exceed the boundaries of voter identification.
There can be no doubt voter fraud exists. It is very important that all party leaders guard against it, and hold those that engage in it accountable.
This is not a Republican thing or a Democrat thing. Even the appearance of it compromises the very foundation of our individual liberty.
If a person uses their political position to inject bias or prejudice against a candidate, does that rise to the level of voter fraud? Some may argue it does, others will say it does not.
Yet others may say that it is just politics, and sometimes it is a dirty business. With them I will agree it is dirty politics. On the rest of this I will let you decide. I have my own opinion.
I have to ask the question, does the North Carolina State Democratic Party and more close to home, the Franklin County Democratic Party endorse the open attack on a member of their own party that is facing a primary challenge?
If I were a member of the Democratic Party and considering running for office, I would be most interested in what the answer is.
I can assure you many of the members of your party do not.
How do I know this? Because my phone just about rang off the hook when Berger’s letter hit the paper.
You can spin this, and do damage control anyway you want to. The attack was both mean spirited and wrong.
Your party member and sitting official deserves a public apology, and a little support would be a nice touch.
I guess depending on who you are the rules just do not matter.
Do ethics?