Editor's update: It has been dutifully noted that I should rephrase a couple of my original statements. I stand by my opinion but have made it "kinder". Note that this is my opinion. My other authors or affiliations are separate. The politics of personal destruction is alive and well in Lee County. This blog attempts to encourage readers to think for themselves. We welcome your comments whether you agree or disagree. Sheila Barber
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." — John Quincy Adams (attributed to Adams, by his contemporaries)
No one in their right mind thinks ugly politics occurs in their sweet little home town. Local politics doesn't get ugly. Not here in Lee County. Only Chicago. Yea right! But it does occur here on a daily basis. Let's give credit where credit is due: Both sides do it to an extent. One side more than other! The new PAC, organized under the disguise of Pro-Business, LEED, is just one example. If you recall in my posting yesterday, Geez Hypocrisy Examples are Racking Up, the LEED was supposedly formed to be "kinder, gentler way of doing politics and business". See Sanford Herald quotes in previous posting. Yet the very first thing you see is a hit on a sitting Commissioner.
Wouldn't you think the first thing a PAC would do is expose their values? Oh they did, Sheila. They exposed their good old boy network and what some money in a pot (around $30k to begin with I hear) will do for you. Money talks. Money buys lots of ads in a paper. Money talks. Money buys lots of ads in a home town paper. And big ones! I wonder if the Herald sent this ad to a Press Attorney first? Inquiring minds want to know.
Anyway, as I said before "game on boys". And it is some good old boys making up the "members only club": Donnie Oldham signed the paperwork. Is this Donnie Oldham, the Economic Development Director? The one that hosted a fund raiser for Renee Ellmers in 2010?
I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. Please do.
(Address and phone blacked out. No one needs to know that info.)
We know Kirk Bradley is involved.
But I've seen these names thrown around too: Jamie Kelly, Chet Mann, George Perkins.
Somewhere I sense the Wicker name is in hiding and a few others. Time will tell.
And that's ok. They have a right to their opinion. While they suppress our pocketbooks,
they are still Americans and covered by the First Amendment.
But while they are all Pro-Business, they are not necessarily Pro-Taxpayer: Jamie Kelly gave us the "you will pay higher property taxes or a give us a sales tax". Where is he now? (Editor revised words in red:) The guy, didn't seek re-election, before becoming the poster boy of what we don't want as a representative. Luckily for him, the incumbent running in this year's race has taken his place.
But wow, talk about bashing the hand that feeds you. The EDC can't do their jobs without asking the commissioners for help. How stupid is this group? They are not stupid. They know exactly what they are doing. And now we are finding out who is behind this vicious ad.
Now it's becoming clear why the good old incumbent commissioner doesn't need the GOP's help. What about the other guy, Mark? I ask you: (editor rephrasing to be kinder/gentler) Should we question the party values of those involved? Yes. We should. Whatever the intentions really are, they will come out.
And since he is so giddy about it and pronounced a day before on his blog that the first shot was coming, include the other blogger in town in the above as well. Not for funding. Just the "other stuff". And that guy says I am jerked around. Ha!
Jim Womack's signature isn't on that form above. Therefore, we won't see Mr. Blogger in front of the BOC talking about ethics and playing nice. When he can't bash the conservatives, its no fun.
Well done, guys!
More to come.
Sheila
