Candidates filled with empty cliches
OPINION: How is it that those seeking public office in Redmond over the last couple of election cycles all seem to have been scooped from the same bucket of vanilla ice cream?
A safe, livable city; a vibrant downtown; efficient transportation; fiscal responsibility; sensible—as if there were such a thing—growth; preserve Redmond’s character and so on.
I mean, who doesn’t want those things?
Young, old, male, female, the candidates seem to offer only clichéd, ditto politics. A little imagination is probably too much to expect from politicians and would-be politicians these days, but it would be refreshing to hear from some candidate who gives a small indication that he or she has thought beyond the ordinary and banal.
And those who think that a mayor and council marching in lockstep is good for a community should do a short review of history. Unitary governments, more often than not, lead to a can-do-no-wrong arrogance and authoritarianism. Good government comes out of a clash of ideas. The creative tension of opposing philosophies results in a policy that, while not always perfect, tends to serve the common good rather than a few special interests.
When Jim Robinson was on the council he was, at least, willing to put forth positions and policies that others were afraid to broach. Without council members such as Mr. Robinson who are willing to ask questions that probe and test the conventional and commonplace wisdom of the day, sameness and mediocrity will prevail. It seems as if that may be what we are in for in Redmond.
This time around I think I will write-in none of the above.
Richard L. Grubb, Redmond
(past Redmond Councilmember)
-- SOURCE: the local Redmond Reporter, 6/18/09
Comments to this OPINION are posted below.
I sense bitterness and frustration in this message, though I agree that more frequent and healthy conversation would help resolve issues of importance to the public. Mr. Robinson is not an issue.
ReplyDeleteI agree in principle, but I'm also a little frustrated that Mr. Grubb complains about people not raising the right "issues" while not really mentioning what issues should be raised. Which non-raised issues is he talking about? I would sincerely like to know.
ReplyDeleteOr is this kind of code for "there are too many people sharing the same political party/philosophy?" Now, that I could understand the frustration, particularly if he doesn't share the prevailing philosphy/party. But I would personally be more concerned about the former than the latter, and to some degree if he does mean too many people are sharing the same political outlook that is also the fault of the voters!
The fault could also be attributed to public apathy and the absence of citizens and elected officials in "stepping up" to energize the communities of Redmond. Frankly, the demands on Council are so great, they have little energy left over to change process and traditions.... to make council office "worthwhile" and attractive to more potential candidates.
ReplyDeleteRichard Grubb is a former council member. He was run out of office because he was stuck in the past, when Redmond was a cow town/farming/homestead rural community.
ReplyDeleteRedmond is growing into a modern, livable city. For a good look at modern-day Redmond have a look at http://www.experienceredmond.com/