George Rebane
Our California Assemblyman Dan Logue just announced that he “changed his mind” and will no longer represent us. He is moving out of our community – into which he moved just last year – to another city in another assembly district. This makes sense for him when he considers his longer term prospects in politics. Politicians make these moves on a regular basis. Our congressman Tom McClintock is a transplant from southern California where it was harder for him to get into Congress. And our state senator Doug LaMalfa is abandoning his California seat for a try at the House of Representatives this November. Musical chairs to the max.
Now I’m not against anyone trying to make a good living and seek advancement in their profession. No shame, no blame in all these moves. But it does occur to me that we should bear such machinations in mind when we encounter and then decide to support our elected politicians. Traditionally, since our school days these people have been presented to us as individuals of extraordinary abilities and character. After all, when elected they become explicitly honorable and indicate that by appending ‘The Honorable …’ to their titles and names.
This feeling, or should I say aura, comes from our democratic roots. In thousands of communities across the country, we imagine ourselves having always gathered together to discuss our local concerns, and then joining to select ‘one of us’ to run for high office. And then, with our blessings and good wishes, to go off into some capitol to do battle in our behalf. Those elected have always been viewed as ‘our people’ with roots that entwine with ours, roots that go deeper into our soil and past than the new comer just off the stage upon whom we instinctively fix our gimlet eye. But this is far from today’s reality as defined by ever shifting district lines, mass communications, rapid travel, multiple residences, and easy moves.
Here today, they all promise to bear our standard into the long fight – we must recall that every politician heralds intimate knowledge of our community and long tenure in complex legislatures as a part his strong suit for re-election – you just can’t send anyone ‘up there’. But tomorrow better opportunity beckons, and off they go. So in this day and age, how are we supposed to deport ourselves as we nervously finger our checkbooks when deciding whether to put our money where their mouths are?


Leave a comment