What is the point of serving as an elected official, if not to ‘move the window‘ in a way that reflects your values and mores? Why would anyone bother? Often heard from those who sit on either side of the aisle, is “I just want to give back,” or “we should just do the work of the people!” That last bit pretending there is a clear consensus of what “work” it is to be done.
It could be argued that there are few reasons outside of the nuances built into our personalities to serve as an elected official The first might be that a person thinks he or she is smarter than everyone else including the mechanical components of an organization such as a trained administrator and his chosen expert department heads. Another, that it fulfills some ‘destiny’ that they be in leadership, and that “granddaddy would be so proud.”
However unless vanity be realized, the last and most principle function of elected office is very much a ‘political’ one. When we seek the office we generally have an idea of things we would do differently. Different priorities, challenges to conventional wisdom within the governing body, and then bringing consensus around our ideas.
Clearly, we must be political.
We must build consensus around what is important to us. We must impart our values to others, at least enough to support what it is that we bring to the table. Sometimes those values are directly recognizable like abortion rights/restrictions, and sometimes not so much how money is spent on certain publicly funded services.
In the end, all decisions are political, and will be an extension of what it is we feel is important. Important enough to endure abusive treatment from those who oppose those decisions in the public, and often abusive treatment by those who serve as colleagues. No matter the issue, whether the time of a meeting, or a resolution of support for another political figure, there will always be push back from someone.
There will be cries that “You are supposed to represent all of us!” And to that every person elected should answer, “yes I do represent you” but then add “however, within the sphere of ‘all’ come many variations of how such things are handled, and what I do will choose from those variations and apply the mores and values I feel are appropriate, ..to better serve and represent you.”
BREAKING – POLITICAL process has consequence!
It may seem like a blow off. However, elections have consequences. One look only as far as the recent 2020 Presidential fiasco to see how politics works. One set of jokers take the reigns and do things THEIR way.
Bending over backward to appear bi-partisan is a fools errand and advances nothing. This is not to say that folks cannot find common ground. This is not to say that in light of facts and information minds cannot be swayed. It simply means that more emphasis should be spent on why one side or the other has a better argument.
Be an honest broker. If you are elected, and folks consider you a Republican, or conservative, or traditionalist, it is because you represented yourself that way. Yes, some people lie. Some candidates promise a whole slew of values based approaches to their service but then fail to apply them when opportunity arises.
Applying the values one promises, means supporting those who will help deliver the ‘goods.’
It means if there is a fellow commissioner who shares those values, you work to make them strong. If it is a state legislator who will work with Lansing to help the community in a way that you see fit, you empower them. And if it is a congressional representative who carries your torch to DC, you don’t allow that torch to be extinguished or blow it out yourself.
Those on the left understand this. They don’t give an inch. Bipartisanship is their word and they own both sides of it. Fairness is something they define. They cry shame shame when you achieve one of your principle goals, and refuse to acknowledge said shame even under the exact same circumstances that they decry in both irony and hypocritical tyranny.
The left understands something the right does not. The loudest voice more often than not wins the day. They know there is a certain narcissistic nature in politics, and the winners don’t want to become losers. Facing a crowd that is calling for heads on stakes is scary for a person who worries that people might not like them so very much.
Those who fear critique for decision making will never be effective, either in their political life or in good governance.
Sometimes a choice must be made – support your people, or be liked for less than 30 seconds by the mob at the door. Sometimes a choice must be made – ignore the beast, or feed it and watch it grow.
When a willing participant in the political process says “I’m not on the board of commissioners to give my personal political opinions. I’m on the BOC to do what’s right for the county, long-term.” it’s both contradictory, and dereliction of their ‘political’ duty. When he further stated he hasn’t been able to do what he “signed up for” it should come as no surprise that he will forever have a difficult time to achieve that end.
People run to insert their biases. Likewise, citizens vote to support their own. In the recent county commission meeting Commissioner Hundley declared he “was furious!” and inserted his. Commissioner Coffia who was not present on video was inserting hers, both audibly, and simultaneously in the background, surreptitiously broadcasting the following:
While the commission is spending time listening to complaints and cries of “shame shame,” this commissioner is literally agitating and egging that same activity on in other forums. Her efforts likely resulted in further dismay to board members. Sadly, while such politicking during a regular meeting is mostly unheard of, it may not even be illegal.
Indeed, one must respect the fact that Hundley and Coffia know their role. They get it. The left never gives an inch. The word compromise is just another word for “we get our way” to those who are masters of projection, intolerance, and verbal abuse.
We all just want good governance, right?
Sure, why not, government can run well enough on its own. A county administrator could hire, fire, build and control a budget, and put all sorts of people in boards, etc easily, ..without input by commissioners.
In some communities that is pretty much what happens. Sure, the board might vote on any number of feel good spending policies, but all management is done by the administrator alone. ‘Sleepy’ boards are the rule, not the exception.
Communities have to have some way of putting their priorities in place however. Theoretically, an elected board translates the community values into action (or inaction) and prioritizes taxing and spending in one direction or another. Size of the community, or level of government involved makes little difference. Arguments can come up over as little as $2, or complete passivity can blow $millions.
In the end, political figures need to own the premise they promoted during their electoral efforts. The community will sort them out. eventually. But on a board with five Republicans, the simplest measure of promoting such premises seems so much harder than it ought to be.
During the last County Commission meeting the chair selected 1st District Congressional Representative General Jack Bergman to open with the convocation. The congressman did a fine job, as he has done a fine job as a representative, AND as a Republican.
Because General Jack supported an effort by Texas to challenge a clearly manipulated outcome in the 2020 presidential election, and he had the gall to continue to supporting our Republican president January 6, a target was painted on him by Democrat operatives. One of those operatives and a principle activist in the effort is Commissioner Coffia, one of only TWO Democrats on the Grand Traverse County Commission.
If anything was ever a lesson of why Republicans fail to in any way advance their interests, it was the outcome of a simple acknowledgement and gratitude put up for a vote by the county, for the General’s effort on their behalf; an acknowledgment with both precedent and good reason.
Until elected Republicans or conservatives understand the ‘political’ nature of why they are elected, they serve as nothing more than tissue paper resistance to what is continued onslaught of their ideals by Marxists and leftist ideologues.
Even as they deliberate in continued good faith.
