ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
(Masculine voice (not unlike that of Sam Eliott): “Ah think ya better tell me again… (CHORUS) Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.” — Radio ad for Chevrolet from about 35 years ago.
Prompted by a couple of recent developments, one local and one national, I choose to double down on two editorials I wrote earlier this year. I think I got it right. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
On the local front, I suggested not long ago that the traditional two-party system should be scrapped for all township and county elections. I still fail to see the relevance of whether a candidate is Democrat or Republican has a lot to do with quality local governance.
In fact, I submit by pinning the tail on the donkey or elephant, we discourage quality candidates who belong to the party not in favor. In these parts, we have a decidedly one-party system, so much so that the winner of the primary election is the winner, period.
The latest chapter in this sordid story is the GOP candidacy of Stephanie Caulder for Watson Township Treasurer. She very publicly has touted her credentials as a military veteran, small business advocate and pro-Second Amendment positions. What has any of that got to do with being a township treasurer?
She was touting her Republican Party credentials, not her ability to handle the township treasurer’s job. Being pro-business doesn’t carry a lot of weight in a township with few businesses.
She is running against veteran Township Treasurer Sue Jones, a Democrat, and the daughter of longtime Democrat activists Ken and Cathy Pardee. But her party affiliation also appears to be an irrelevant issue.
I suppose some GOP advocates could suggest Democrats are notorious for spending taxpayers’ money unwisely. That flies in the face of the all-Republican Hopkins Township foolish waste of taxpayer funds on a high-powered attorney vs. the Gun Lake Tribe, or the all-Republican Leighton Township decision to award a dust control bid nearly $10,000 more expensive than the other bid.
Watson Township stands to become the next Dorr Township in that its officials’ party affiliations will flip rather quickly. As late as 2004, Dorr Township was governed by a Democratic majority. Today it’s 7-0 in favor of the Republicans.
Watson Township as late as 2016 sported a 4-1 majority on the Democratic side, but if Caulder prevails on Nov. 3, the tally will go the other way by a 4-1 count.
The biggest question is: Has Dorr government really improved after switching to the GOP? Will Watson?
The other development is the continuing success of stock market in a time of economic trouble for most people and the Covid-19 crisis. I asked earlier this summer, “How can stocks be doing better when the health crisis and the economic conditions and prospects for so many are tanking? The only answer that makes sense to me right now is that the stock market no longer has any meaningful connection to America’s economic condition. The stock market actually is an independent island and we unwashed working stiffs really have no stake in its success.”
One commenter, in response, said, “You might also do a better job of explaining economics to your audience if you actually understood the basic laws of that field of study. Money supply would be a good place to start. Monetary and fiscal policy today has greatly increased the supply of money”.
My reply to the comment is that yes, indeed, the money supply has increased at the very top of the economic ladder, deliberately by Federal Reserve policy. It is the latest example of “the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.”
With the most prosperous getting the most bailout money, the stock market gets a goosing while most of us working stiffs (84%) continue to struggle with only a bump in unemployment compensation and a one-time paltry stimulus check of $1200.
And we wonder why the natives are restless?
Mr Young
Can’t debate this one….
I don’t “play” in the stock market . Will say that yes, hopefully Watson does better than Dorr Township.
For years the Democrats held office on Dorr and were very frugal when it came to spending. Even the first generation of Republicans to govern continued that program. Looking toward the future both knowing growth was coming (ie: water, sewer, more paved roads, possible new and larger administration buildings, and still have a reserve if a major problem arose)
This all changed with the radical Republicans working their way into office. Spending went rampant (like a drunken sailor on shore leave after three months at sea).
Currently there is no first generation thinking Republican or any sane Democrat willing to inherit the controls of a township that just rammed an iceberg, and, at the present time, is still afloat, but is in drastic need of repair. Unless a new crew can arrive with the citizens support, this vessel will slowly sink. The true indicator is when you see them not running for office again… one knows things are getting critical.
This was evident when the radicals pressured the others out of office with all their discrediting tactics.
Good luck, Watson Township.