In the recent David v. Goliath political story, the David is real (Governor David Paterson); the Goliath (President Obama and his White House staffers) however, are nothing but symbols of so many things wrong with our present democracy. The problem is that so many of our electeds are too compromised to do anything about fixing some of the structural defects within political parties. In both of the major political parties (Democrats and Republicans alike) party-politics tend to suck: simple as that.
One of pains that come with challenging incumbents is that you are quickly black-balled and politically ostracized: no matter how talented you are; no matter how qualified or experienced you are. Incumbents view their positions from a prism of entitlement. They seem to think that they own the seat once they get elected to it. And how dare some silly insurgent rise up to challenge them? How dare some insurgent be so audacious as to give the people a choice during elections? This is one of the reasons why I am so set on having term-limits at all levels of government.
And with unions and special interests in lockstep, we are now witnessing fewer and fewer primaries. Decisions on who runs for what seat, and who gets the entrenched institutional support, are now made behind close doors, or over telephone wires, or in rooms filled with non-smoking latte-drinkers. Is it any wonder that incumbents get re-elected at a 98% clip? Do you think they collectively deserve an “A” grade (which is what that indirectly amounts too)? I don’t think so.
So when the Obama administration tried to make New York’s un-elected governor (David Paterson) walk the plank politically (not run for re-election), this was not an aberration folks: it is more or less the norm in modern day party-politics. This time the cat got out of the bag that’s all.
So why are so many black electeds feigning shock? Because they are a bunch of friggin hypocrites: that’s why. Many of them were beneficiaries of the same Obamaesque tactics. In their local fiefdoms, they do the same thing that the White House attempted here; year in, year out. They are usually quieter with their stuff, that’s all. But in politics -like life- chickens often come home to roost: now so many of them look like the ugly ducklings they really are.
Didn’t Charles Rangel (and other prominent black leaders) pressure Ms. Eve out of running for the Lieutenant-Governor spot, when Eliot Spitzer tapped David Paterson on the shoulder -albeit somewhat late in 2006? And now Rangel (and others) are crying foul? How quickly they forget?
Pressure tactics has been played by party hacks for years. As I said before, many of those now holding office were beneficiaries of said tactics. And it is so obvious, because very few of them distinguish themselves in office.
When I argued vociferously that it was wrong for black electeds to pressure David Yassky out of running for the 11th congressional district in 2006, I was ostracized. But I stood my ground because the US constitution gives the right to run to any qualified citizen in any jurisdiction; anywhere in the country. So now they are all into double-speak, since it appears (to them) that it is wrong for Obama to pressure Paterson out of this race, but not wrong for them to attempt to pressure Yassky out of his race in 2006. You can’t have it both ways folks; you can’t.
It’s only a matter of time before we hear from the Charles Barrons of New York’s political world that Paterson is being singled out because he is black; maybe they have already spoken on this. I was so preoccupied with running for the council that I have missed many news cycles. This isn’t about race folks; it’s about power: the power to call the shots while hidden behind the curtain. It takes place on all three levels of American politics. It occurs in all three branches also.
I remember being ridiculed for verbally stating that Kirsten Gillibrand needs a primary, if only because she has changed positions like a political chameleon, in the short time she has held elected office. And why was I ridiculed? Because the White House had put enough pressure on potential challengers to scare them all off. People tend to fall in place and march lock-step when orders are handed down. Think “Nazis” folks.
So wasn’t it wrong then? Was it okay for the Obama administration to pressure challengers out of a New York senate primary? Look; this is not what democracy should be about. There should be competition: always. My belief is that competition eventually yields the best candidates. And the better the quality of candidate(s), the better the prospects for good government.
Too many times we have seen the better qualified candidate(s) yield to the pressures of entrenched interests bent on enforcing their power plays. Too many times we have seen electeds so beholding to the ancillary forces that we the people are generally sold down the river of special interest, when it comes to lawmaking. And when the forces start gathering, too many times these said electeds fail to get in the way, in order to insure that the people in this democracy get some choice in the matter(s) at hand. They usually crumple like a cheap suit.
Contrary to the suspicions of folks like Gatemouth and Wonk, some of us run for elected office because we know that we can accomplish so much more (in terms of community development and decision-making) if we are in office. In communities of color, the need for better representation, new ideas and creative thinking is so acute that some of us feel compelled to put our bodies in front the train more than just one time. In other communities, the need isn’t as overwhelming. And in communities of color, those who dare challenge the status-quo are usually derided. It is a strange position to be in; truly. Common sense is nearly always trying to force you to pack it in: and disaffected voters are no help either.
David Paterson should be allowed to make his own decision about running for re-election or not, without pressure from the White House. Politically speaking, he is probably a dead man walking, but he deserves a chance (and the right) to dig his own anxiously-waiting grave. After all, some men have been known to escape an apparently obvious noose.
Stay tuned-in folks.