Inside Outsiders and Opaque
Transparency
I think the technical term for this kind of politics is controlled opposition. Or. . . could be. . . the incumbent should be watching his back for a minion coup. I won’t name any names, but recently while out stretching my legs I ran into a local candidate passing our pens and water at a dusty intersection in town. I was impressed with this candidate’s credentials and associations. . . or associates, who seemed concerned I was there picking this candidate’s brain. Several connected with the City, The Chamber and the Economic Development Authority drove by and stopped several times to see if she needed anything’.
So, I asked the candidate if she knew the former Doddridge County Economic Development Director. I knew she had to . . . because he’s currently sitting on a board she’s also on. She was rather vague in her answer and acted as if she might be breaking some law talking to a constituent. So, I tried to put her at ease, saying that I knew him and that he’s a really nice guy. . . and he is. Then I tried to tell her the County Comprehensive Economic Development Plan he drew up had near zero public input and that while he was drawing up the maps, he was busy trying to get options on lands that were to be designated industrial. I don’t think she could hear that part because she quickly ducked into her car to get something as the subject was raised.
Hoping to help her in her reform crusade, I told her when the county got all that federal grant money to put up a tower, the then sitting head of the commission said he had some lad lying around. It might have been imprudent of me to mention that fact in one of my letters to the editor. . . because it seemed to sour him on the idea and the plumb was passed instead to our friendly former Economic Development Director. It seems in Doddridge Count these sorts of lucky deals are part of the perks of county jobs where opportunities abound when you have access to inside information and influence.
Wanting to be helpful, I thought I’d give her a heads up on the possibility of a rigged election, such as the one I encountered. I told her of the former County Clerk and former Commissioner who were kind enough to give me a heads up at the time. They told me how it’s done in Doddridge, so I’d notice if it happened.
Immediately she started to make excuses saying, ‘some precincts are very far away.’. . . 3 hours far away? Where are they, Morgantown? Anyway, I was just trying to warn her, not argue about details. So, I said, If you do feel there’s anything funny about the election, don’t tell the State Attorney General’s office because they’ll just turn around and call the Court House . . . and then you’ll have to deal with the Rat Lines.
“The Rat Lines?” she said, “What are those?!” I began to think she’s either playing dumb or is a babe in the woods. I told her someone in the Court House had requested the FBI investigate me . . . and they got a really good agent to do it. He put three Federal Judges in prison and broke a big case involving political royalty. It was an honor being investigated by such a man . . . even if it was kind of like the Russia Russia thing. He contacted me after finishing his investigation to tell me I’d be alright as long as I continued to stick to the truth. No problem, the truth is my sword and shield. However, since he was tasked to investigate me, he couldn’t know that the rat lines had been tasked . . . to punish me. Not wishing to get into a long explanation. . . I told her in so many words, Don’t complain if you don’t want your engine blow up or your brake line cut.
She started hurriedly packing up . . . so I had to curtail giving her helpful information, I told her I’d vote for her and that I’d tell all my friends they might want too as well . . . and I will. A palace coup of the minions might be fun, but I’m not expecting anything meaningful to come of it.
Constituent, Dale Michels.
Dear Editor,
This election year is particularly important.
Pennsylvania has a tough decision to make November 8, 2022. John Fetterman has the same cognitive power as President Joe Biden. I listened to him and completing a thought for him is difficult.
To get Fetterman elected, his doctor has given Fetterman a clean bill of health.
Former President Obama has endorsed Fetterman proving the only importance is to keep democrats in power. Any candidate using former President Barack Obama to endorse their candidacy is reaching the bottom of the barrel. Several candidates endorsed by Obama lost their election. One can only hope this is a pattern.
Ironically, Chuck Schumer on a hot mic stated the Fetterman debate was not a big problem. Fetterman stuttered and stammered and kept loosing his train of thought.
If you are democrat, do you want this guy making life decisions for you, your parents and your children? Or will you vote for the party?
President Joe Biden stated recently, “the price of a gallon of gas is $3.38 per gallon.” “When I (Biden) took office the price per gallon was over $5.00 per gallon.” He cannot understand or speak the truth. But that is so Joe Biden! The facts escape him and his party loves him.
Understand, I sympathize with the health problems of Biden but I don’t believe we need more politicians incapable of being a positive force for the people. He, Fetterman, is for releasing second level criminals currently in prison.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is looking for an endorsement from Obama. She has been counterproductive for her term as governor. She promoted vaccines for children. She evoked quarantine for the state, back mandatory vaccination, even boating was regulated, which her husband attempted to violate as though he was above the governor’s mandates. She is a “progressive” following the democrat party agenda.
Another important election is the Board Of Education Levy Election. The Board has in my opinion has wasted funds to comply with the State’s finding of excess funds collected. Instead of lowering some of the following years budget to ease the public’s stresses. Personally, I would vote against the Doddridge County Board Of Education Levy Election.
They need to be more accountable to the public’s trust. Trust. Do you trust the Board to handle the “excess levy” funds after the purchase of the equestrian center? I have heard what it condition is at this time. Or is the center in use today as the Board said for it would be used? Therefore, I would say AGAINST.
Elon Musk takes over Twitter. 534 employees quit their jobs. If these employees are so close minded that they jeopardize their future instead of adapting and possibly improving the company are not team players. Therefore “no loss”. These individuals reacted emotionally rather than positively.
Personally, I’ve always been a team player and project oriented
I have a philosophy I promote. Four things: Project is number 1, Client is number 2, Company is number 3 and I am number 4
Why? Because usually the public is paying for the project through taxes That should never be overlooked by the contractor, the “owner” is the public. If my project runs well and looks good, then my client looks good, if the client looks good then my company looks good, and if my company looks good then I look good.
I was the superintendent of utility in a small West Virginia town of 2500 residents. Some were affluent, some dirt poor. My philosophy was that every resident was a water sewer costumer. That meant they were treated as equals regardless of race, color, creed, or religion.
My world is right and wrong, fact or fiction. Gray areas are where politicians get lost.
Most politicians are lost in the blending of the black and white and
pay attention to the special interest groups.
They “go along to get along.” They get along and we are sacrificed and pay the bill. People are grouped according to race. It has been expressed that being white is consistent with white privilege.
Where were these “judges” when my family was eating hamburger helper with no hamburger. Or when we did get “meat” it was Treat, Spam or cheap hot dogs.
White supremacy, racist, homophobe, any other term is only to divide the population. This is how they remain in power.
Too many times the news is monitored and certain “news” outlets hide the full story and promote the “party” interests.
Anyway, when going to the poles to vote please chose wisely.
These are only my opinions.
As always, my appreciation to our military, police, first responders and medical professionals. Thank you.
Lloyd Brightwell