If I sat down in a room with Michael Helfrich to discuss politics, I have very little doubt that there would be very little upon which we would agree. However, one thing I am certain we would agree upon is the “game” of politics. The experience Michael was put through by the Democrat Party leaders is appalling, yet not surprising.
Typically, it is the Republican Party that gets the rap for being closed-minded and shutting out those who present a threat to their power. While, as a member of the Republican State Committee, I can confirm that attitude among our leaders, however, it is obvious that the leaders of the Democrat Party are just as guilty. We saw it by the way they treated our former governor, Bob Casey, at the Democrat National Convention years ago, among other examples. Now, it has hit home.
In my view, Michael Helfrich is highly qualified for the York City Council. He would have made a great addition to that group. While he is guilty of some youthful indiscretions, he has more than demonstrated in recent years his commitment to the York community. As I said, Mr. Helfrich and I are likely polar opposites when it comes to political views, but I would have voted for him in a heartbeat if I were a citizen of York City.
The fliers that Ms. Smith mailed, with the approval of Cameron Texter, a Party insider, had nothing to do with the troubles of Michael’s youth. The fliers had everything to do with Michael’s status as an outsider of the Democrat Party. He has not paid his dues, so to speak. He has not demonstrated a loyalty to the leaders of the Party. He has not spent years going door-to-door for other candidates. He has not put in his time on the phone banks or recruiting new Democrats. While Michael has clearly demonstrated a true love for the York community he has not demonstrated that same commitment to the Democrat Party. Therefore, in the eyes of Party leadership, he is not qualified to serve and he is a threat to their control.
This incident only highlights the problems with political Parties. Our elections are no longer about average citizens trying to make a difference to improve the lives of their neighbors. They are about a small, select group of people maintaining control in any manner needed. We all are familiar with the major advantage that incumbents have at election time. The entire system is designed to prevent an individual citizen from running for office. If an individual does not have a small army to assist in the process it is virtually impossible to get on the ballot or to run a legitimate campaign. The incumbents have a built in campaign machine…their political party.
It is past time that we change our system to make it feasible for individuals to run for office without having to sell their soul to the Party leaders.
1. We need a State version of the Hatch Act. This will prevent all state employees from being involved in elections. That will eliminate some of the campaign advantage elected officials have by preventing staff from soliciting signatures or standing at the polls on election day.
2. The signature requirements for candidates must be lowered. The political parties will claim the numbers are needed to make sure that anyone on the ballot is a serious candidate. The reality is, as stated above, the average Joe does not have the political machine to go out and gather those signatures. Therefore, your average Joe needs to pay his dues to the Party before he has any hope of running a legitimate campaign.
3. Open Primaries: scary stuff to the Democrats and Republicans. But, in York County especially, our elected officials are almost solely Republicans. That means that our representatives are chosen in the Republican Primary without any input from independent voters.
4. Campaign Spending Caps: Without limits on spending the incumbent can easily outspend the average Joe in any campaign. However, if the amount spent is limited based on the office, then your average Joe can compete. In fact, he might have an advantage. I say that because a spending cap would require the incumbent to actually manage his funds intelligently. Most have little experience with that as the money they spend isn’t theirs.
5. Term Limits: We need politicians who are willing to make the tough decisions. Nearly all of our elected officials are career politicians. Therefore, their votes are not designed to do what is best for society as whole, but for what is best for their reelection.
6. State funding for political Parties must end!
No doubt you could come up with other ideas. This is just a start to the discussion. But, corrupt activity like that we saw in the York City Primary has to be stopped. The only way to stop it is to take the power from the Party leaders and return it to the citizens.
No comments:
Post a Comment