Components of a Healthy Democracy

I'm thinkin' if we use the League of Women Voters guide to Clay County's Democratic "Health" we are in big trouble.

1)Diversity--that is a hoot.  Our local governments are almost entirely white, middle aged men.  Keystone has a woman mayor, Green Cove has a woman of color (way to go!) and another woman I think.  Clay County has two women one constitutional and one commissioner.  (Please correct me if I am wrong.)  Statistically we are about 52% women, 13% African American.  NOTHING even close in government.

2) Campaign finance--Ouch.  I mentioned that in another thread. There are several very interesting fianance reports. Two commssion races are already seeing mucho dollars...in the 500 max contributions.  One is an at large, one is a single district.  So much for the CTLAC theory that it makes it easier for people to run if they only have to do their area.  Big money funded both kinds of races so far

3) Paticipation--Hahaha.  You can't find the "anti" group (the CTLAC) if you want to help and the "established" group (our elected officials) Has meeting times that working stiffs can't attend.  Like I said--we're in big trouble

clueless,

Thanks for your input. I'd also like to hear from you what you think we can do to achieve that healthy status here at home.

For example, in the area of diversity, there are and have been a number of Hispanic and African American appointments. On the CRC, there was a combination of three Hispanics and African Americans (3 of 15 is not bad and does reflect the county's demographics which is around 10% of the total population). Jennifer Carroll is a female African American House of Representative for the Green Cove Springs area. Dr. Bill Simmons, a vice president at SJRCC is appointed to the Clay County Development Authority. I think as a community, we have to continue to encourage different people to get involved, however small.

Campaign finance is not so much looking at the individual campaign treasury reports of candidates as it is about figuring out how to impact you clueless, me, CCC, Angela, pioneer and all the others to donate $25 (or any amount up to $500) to the candidate of their choosing. It really isn't pointing the finger at who's already donating, it's about making the decision to donate ourselves. That creates greater campaign finance health. It'd be great to see all of our names on that treasury report. It's another indication we're paying attention and involved.

One idea I'll float to Blog Land is the idea of an Ombudsman for the County. My real concern is for more open government. I wonder if an Ombudsman would help facilitate answers and resolve conflicts for residents. I know we're paying commissioners to do part of this job (and yes, I have on my flak jacket. It's a permanent clothing accessory here on MCS) but sometimes, having someone on the inside helps bring about resolution in a timely manner.

Just a thought.

And one other, clueless. I'd love to hear how you'd like to see more open government. When and where would commissioners meet to make it beneficial to the most people?

Diversity--Everyone you mentioned was appointed--not elected. Ms. Carroll is at the state level.  I stand by my white, middle aged men assesment.  But by the appointments they have made, I would hope they are at least making an effort, let's hope not just a stab at being PC.

Open gov't...I would like to see a town hall type meeting aound the county.  One of the commissioners does it and he took a pounding here at MCS.  I suggest ALL of the BCC at one time.  One quarter in Keystone, next quarter  in Middleburg, one in Penny Farms (better make that one a bit earlier!) and one at the north end of the County, also have one right in the BCC chambers.  Have it in the evening or on a Saturday morning.    It may not catch on the first year, but stay with it, when Congressman Sterns does it, there is a room full.  I called to ask when a budget committee meeting was and found out that it was in the middle of the day too--but they told me they are televised (great idea!) so it is on my TIVO schedule.  

Again, start with the town hall meetings and (heaven forbid) and open forum at the end for Q and A.

It is so early I hit the button before I commented on fianance.  I just thought the huge disparity in campaign coffers was interesting--Key, I do not believe for one minute that my little donation of 10 or 25 dollars can compete with the 500 ones especially since there seem to be some names that appear in "blocks" and in several campaigns.  And the aggregate--if you think a candidate can get out their message on 1000 better than 36,000, I am not the only one who is clueless. 

As far as an Ombudman--the military has used them for many, many years.  A good one is worth their weight in gold.  It also demands that the command has an open mind, and doesn't hide from responsibilty and accountability.  One of my neighbors was an Ombudsman many years ago, she went toe to toe with more than one commander.  Key, if you think you need a flak jacket here at MCS, you better save one for a county Ombudsman if it ever would come to pass. 

clueless,

You hit on my biggest pet peeve: televised meetings - which we don't get in Clay Hill or Keystone (I'm not sure about Penney Farms). It seems simple enough but evidently, it's harder than current technology or systems allow. I really hope some of this year's candidates will make it an issue and those elected resolve the problem.

At the national level, the Federal Geovernment should be mandated to televise various committee meetings, House and Senate sessions (not just in times when they meet to decide the direction of a war).

clueless, I disagree that your $25 or $50 won't make a difference. If you multiply that times 20 or 30, you have the beginnings of a warchest. When I look at those campaign statements, I look for how many $25 checks a candidate gets because for me, that's grassroots support that communicates a candidate has delivered a message that reverberates positively with many people.

No, I'm not delusional. A candidate who builds a campaign account has a better chance at delivering his/her message. No doubt about it. However, money isn't everything. Look at McCain (at the national level). Less money and now he's benefitting from the snowball effect.

Now, people who loan themselves money to finance their campaigns scare me for lots of reasons.

In order to make government relevant to a community that's commutes away from home, what do we do? Citizen participation dictates relevance...something meaningful.

Karen, as a novice in the field of campaigning for public office, I'm interested in why candidates who loan themselves campaign money frighten you.  What is it that you've learned in the past couple of years, since you loaned your own school board campaign $250 to get started, that has changed your mind?

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

Yes, Mike. You are correct. I loaned my campaign $250, initially. I reviewed your campaign reports and see that you've loaned yourself $900, to date.

It's not a start-up loan or donation I object to. It's the candidate who plops down $15-$20k in an account with the intention of intimidating his/her opponent from staying in the race. If that candidate is also an incumbent, it is a double whammy because incumbents already have a built-in bully pulpit. (As you of course are aware and have pointed to on a number of occasions.)

I recognize and accept there are candidates who loan themselves money because they don't want to be beholden to anyone, which is admirable. Those folks are truly few and far between. In my experience, it's much more likely that a candidate uses his or her wealth to wield a superior thread throughout the campaign.

The other point I'll make (and I know there are exceptions to this observation) is that candidates who by-pass the opportunity to ask for money from friends and family, tend to be more ego centered. Generally speaking, they're individuals who are going to run on what they want to run on and do not engage the voting population with their ideas.

I like to know that candidates are talking to folks, sharing ideas and getting their feedback. Asking for money is part of it. I don't know that happens as often with candidates who loan themselves large amounts of money. I can't scientifically quantify this statement, but I can base it on what I've learned the last two years, Mike.

Thanks for asking. I appreciate a chance to respond.

That makes sense.  You don't think my loan is gonna scare Travis into quitting the race, do you?

Interesting point about the ego-centric candidate.  I'll have to think about that one for awhile.

Michael S. Mann

Lets keep in mind that we are NOT a democracy.  We are a Representative Republic.  Big Difference. 

Democracy = Two wolves and a sheep voting on what’s for dinner.

Liberty = A well armed sheep contesting the vote.

Make it a blessed day.  Fred08.com

Steven P Munsey A+, MCP, IASO Orange Park | Green Cove Springs munsey13@comcast.net

...you gotta 'nother $50k where that came from.

Which brings me to my last point, how crazy is it to go into debt that amount of money to win an elected position? Some people do that, too.

/K

Great blog Karen. I'm enjoying the conversation, but as Mike pointed out to me earlier, maybe I have a government fetish.  What a visual.

As a life-long voter who doesn't miss a chance to cast my ballot, I'm always perplexed as to why more people don't vote.  I've read a few reasons on this blog site, but at the end of the day, to me, they all fall flat.  Of course, as the fortunate Americans we are, we can choose not to participate, but, as the Journey song says (for you lily) - "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."  Opting out is our right, but, to me, it is more abdication than protest.  Basically, the person who decides not to vote is saying they don't care enough to cast a ballot.  I love the bumper sticker - "If you don't vote, don't complain."  For what it's worth, I encourage EVERYONE to get out and vote.  That right has been paid for with many great lives.  The least we could do is honor those who fight for freedom by being an active participant in our democracy/representative republic/greatest nation on the planet (for now).

Diversity - I agree with clued-in-inclay (clueless seems so inappropriate), Clay's government is about as white & male as it gets.  I almost wrote a blog about the school concurrency committee Mike was appointed to, but decided to honor a promise to winn not to use race as a description.  It was almost laughable - out of 15 people there were 2 white women + 13 white men.  It seemed to scream out at me.  The appointed CRC was a refreshing departure from the norm.  Not so much a criticism, but an encouragement that appointed committees be a little more colorful - and I don't mean personality.

Campaign loans - If I ever decide to run for local office, I hope that I can be self-financed.  First, I am horrible at begging for money.  But most importantly, because I don't want to be accused of being "bought" for $500, nor do I want anyone thinking they can buy me for $500.  I would sincerely appreciate any contribution, and am not implying anything about those who donate, or those who receive them.  It's how our system is set up.  I'm not sure about that whole ego-centric idea.  I'll be like Mike and have to give it more thought.  If a person doesn't get out and talk to people, I don't see how they expect to convince voters they are the right choice.  Hopefully as voters, we can see past the slick ads and see what the candidate stands for.

smunsey, I like your humor on that comment.  If I'm the sheep, we're having roasted wolf for dinner.

Ah Bax--you have made my day. Just an hour before your post, one of my kids was here for dinner---and issued a familiar refrain "Momma you just don't have a clue" As I have said before, there are a few things I know alot about and most things I know very little about but my kids are sure I am always behind the curve.

One of the things I DO know about is diversity and lack thereof. I raised my kids mostly in a very ethnic, diverse area. We came here and the only diversity was which BBQ place, or which Baptist Church, which country music station. Big Adjustment.

I do know a little about human nature, and I am a real quick study with the right teacher. There are a few excellent teachers here on MCS.

I am enjoying learning different points of view and admire people who defend theirs. One of the things I would like to learn is to express my views in a clearer fashion. Angela thinks what I said about the CTLAC in another thread means I want to undermine them, It's not that at all. I would like to learn more and form my own opinion based on BOTH sides of the issue. I do not want to be clueless forever!

Bax, your government fetish is perfectly healthy, even if perverted by the standards of most.  You should be OK with it as long as you don't let it seize control of you common sense and you do something silly, like running for office.

I've always urged people to vote, while recognizing their freedom not to.  And I must admit that there have been times when I've been so frustrated by what I've seen in government and the choices available come election time that I have made my choice to abstain from exercising my right to vote.

But I'm always hopeful that something will spur among the people a new interest in politics, like when I was maturing and Vietnam and Watergate brought government into almost every home.  People were interested, active and felt like their personal vote really meant something.

When that happens, folks will re-engage their government and remember that they have the power to make government respond to them.  That's when our version of democracy will be healthy.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

Mike - I felt better about our shared obsession after reading Mark Woods' column in today's TU.  Man, he's got it bad.  Miss a Jags game to see a debate?  Dude, you need a 12 step program bad.

I will confess to watching the debate until the game came on, and even to switching over during the commercials.  But completely miss the game?  I don't think so.  I'm hooked on the Jags way worse than politics.