Give Dems your vote in November
Dear Editor:
It sure was nice to take a break from politics with the Pro Cycling Challenge, but now, I’m sorry to bring us all back to reality, the next cycle will be of a very different nature. From now until November, it is back to politics and the election. It’s not likely to be pretty. A lot is at stake as our economy is still in the tank and people are struggling. Our environment, too, is also taking a hit. And sadly, many are tuning out.

 

But this is precisely the time we need to tune in, do research, talk to co-workers, friends and neighbors (and strangers) and hear differing viewpoints. Better yet, try to meet the candidates, visit their websites, or talk to the people who know them. Challenge yourself to listen and learn and think critically about whom to elect because it matters – a lot.

 

I am an activist precisely because of what is at stake. I have always taken politics personally. I believe serving the public as an elected official is an honor, a job that should be respected and carried out with integrity and in the interest of, in the words of the founder of the Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, “the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run.” I take personally politicians’ votes against the environment, public health, equality – all things I believe should be human rights; education, health care, clean water, air to breathe – yes, provided by government. Instead, increasingly, these values are compromised by greed, corruption and the undue influence of minority interests.

 

I believe in a role for government and its ability to make a positive difference in our lives – of, by and for the people, right? We’ve strayed quite a bit from there as of late, and it is particularly alarming when it happens at the local level where we are supposed to have more influence. At the county level, we only need to revisit the Comprehensive Plan and the nonsense “leadership” of commissioners Hotter and Lieb dumping $750k of taxpayer money, and thousands of hours of citizen volunteer time down the drain. Representative government? I think not.

 

Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff can do better.4 Remember, it takes two progressive thinkers who have a solid history of accomplishments working with a diversity of people to keep a majority on the Board of County Commissioners. These two will work to restore the public trust so badly broken last winter. As one example, they will work to establish planning guidelines for our county that will enhance conditions for long-term business investment currently lacking in the absence of a comprehensive plan.

 

If “Less Government Equals More Freedom” means anything to you, then you’ll vote for the other guy. Me? I’m voting for Mike McLachlan, who as a 38-year resident of Durango, a veteran, an accomplished attorney and civic leader is a common-sense man who cares about people, jobs, the economy, education, the environment, women’s health, labor rights and more. My bet is that Mike, as a state legislator, would work for sensible government regulation of the insurance industry, for example, that would help people keep in their pocket hundreds of dollars in out-of-control premium increases. (Note: An important role of government is consumer protection. My homeowners insurance has gone up steadily each year from $461 in 2005 to $825 in 2011 and now $1,260 in 2012 – thanks SAFECO – due to the first claim ever this year in the seven I’ve had the policy). Do I find more freedom in an unregulated marketplace? Hardly. For me it equals fewer expenditures locally.

 

Yep, you can bet that Sal Pace and Barack Obama also have my vote for Congress and President. The alternatives are too extreme. Scott Tipton does not care about problem-solving. He does not move to the center to work across the aisle. He is fixed on a Tea Party ideology that hardly represents most in his district. We need problem-solving, not posturing. We need elected officials who care more about people and the planet than positions. We need to have changes in Congress so President Obama in a second term can fulfill his first term promises unobstructed.

 

It didn’t always come down to party lines, but it does now. Democrats are working hard to keep dollars in people’s pockets instead of concentrating wealth elsewhere. Will someone please tell the GOP that trickle down does not work? Democrats are also providing health care to the most vulnerable in our society – youth and seniors (thanks President Obama), and recognize the inextricable link between the health of our environment and global economic well-being. November 6? Vote a straight ticket – Democrats all the way! Thank you.
– Sincerely, Ellen Stein, Durango

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