Hi Westfield, and my friends in Ward 3. Why so quick for another editorial? HEY RALPH, it really was a typo…I am not turf invading into Ward 2, though I do know a lot of folks there IT IS RALPH FIGY’S WARD. Accept my apology? Please. No, Ralph is good buddy, and my stubby fingers did that before and he and I had a good joke about it; mainly on me. But, I am a: if you dish it out, you take it to; kinda guy.
Anyway, since I am here: You can tell summer is coming to an end, as back to school shopping gets into full swing, and candidates start their pitch for your votes. As I have said, I am an Independent Voter (unenrolled). This is LIBERATING for you can pick and choose without having to swear a blood oath to an ideology. I am FREE to choose who I think is the most qualified person for the job. From what I have written, I feel at greater liberty to compliment and support what is good, and criticize and denounce what is not. Overall a majority of American voters are Independents; many leaving their former affiliations due to both no longer representing them, or their interests. Nor, do they include those they claim to represent. The plus of being an Inde is also a minus as Independent voters either do NOT want to have a Party, or are very leery of having it usurped. And, then being used to service someone’s personal self-interests. The downside is that without structure our ability to interact and coordinate is difficult. But, with 21st tech it can be done.
But Party politics is not working for us, the many who work hard, serve in the military and do our best to keep our communities positive and productive. Too often the only job of Party rank and file, is to make contributions, be a member of the pep squad at events, and oh ya, vote. This also an indicator, of why so few do vote (less than half), or even register. But, that is another subject for another time.
I grew up in a real grassroots based election process starting at 13. Grassroots in that they valued the everyday American voters, got us involved, versus just the money. They listened to us, instead of us having to listen to them define our concerns, and how they are going solve them for us with some universal plan that may work somewhere. If you were at an event, you were welcomed, ask if you have any questions, would you like to get involved, and reminded how important you were to this election. Now, glad handing the money people vs. the voters, when they could do that any time. And, they remembered you, and your issues and concerns. All 5this because while someone could give money, you could give time; hours helping, doing the tough stuff, talking up the candidate to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. You were treated as more important than the money brokers. They may have only a couple of votes in that district, but, you could get 100 or more. Even youth, as myself, while I could not vote, I could, and did, go out and talk with those who could. I could encourage those old enough to vote to get registered. These were the real American days of elections. OK, that is me being me again, back to the subject at hand.
I have already mention that I am supporting Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito. I am also supporting Cong. Neal for re-election. Why? I have known Ritchie since he first ran for Springfield City Council. And, on my pragmatic side, if the Dems take back the House, Cong. Neal stands to be chairman of Ways and Means, thus one step away from being Speaker. That IS in our many interests. Others are, Auditor Bump, for she is regularly exposing abuses and rip offs of the tax payer in services and other programs that we fund. She is less talk, and more doing. And, I am also with Bill Galvin for Secretary of State. OK, he has had a few problems with the Dems, but overall he stands up and takes on the issues of concern for the voter taxpayers of Mass. Your former Ward 3 City Councilor, Brian Hoose…[email protected] (again, sorry Ralph)
