Barbara says: "I wonder how many voters know what kind of knowledge and background is is really required to run the city. How many voters asked their candidates of choice if they know how to read and understand a financial spreadsheet? or, how well they understood how the property tax base is established for the city? How many have ever worked in a budgeting process? How many candidates out there know what the debt load is for the city or even what debt service is before they are elected? I can't recall anyone asking me that when I was a candidate and I don't recall anyone else asking any other candidate that question.
When a candidate promises to plow the streets in 24 hours in an effort to win a vote, does anyone ask him or her how much that will cost and what their plan is for implementing that? When they promise to reduce airport noise, give city hall a breathe of fresh air, end proverty and homelessness and make the sunshine all day does anyone ask how? and at what cost? No, most voters just suck up the quick sound bite and that drives their voting decisions. When I was a candidate for city council, I received advice from a political marketing expert that I had an average of 7 seconds to get my message in front of the voter before my literature went into the garbage. Not much time to show your qualifications. Maybe we should turn elections into a reality T.V. show. The "Amazing Campaign Race" You have to compete in two loppets, five bike races, be in 3 parades, ski down Wirth hill and pick between three competing developments. The winner gets to be in city hall for 4 years and create 4 new departments. O.K. I digressed a little.: Barb Lickness Whittier Sounds to me, Barb, like you're auditioning for an invitation for Sam and Silivia Kaplin's New Year's Eve party for RT, or if not, you're running for something. Me, I am spending New Years' eve reading Tom Wolfe's "Radical Chic & Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers" for refreshment. Gary Dombouy Whittier PS: Jim Graham's not writing anymore, which that tells me something. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
