Guest Posts on County 10 are provided by contributors and the opinions, thoughts, and comments within are their own and may not necessarily reflect those of County 10.
If there ever was a year for “None of the Above” to be an option on your ballot, this is it. Gray, Rasner, Degenfelder, Friess, Balow, and Hageman wouldn’t stand a chance if the voters of Wyoming had “None of the Above” as a choice.
If I hear one more clueless candidate make the claim that they are running for office to “fight the federal government,” I think I’ll go insane.
When it comes to the moronic element of our politicians, it’s hard to compete with the Freedom Caucus. They are dedicated to finding a problem to match their solution, and they fail every time. They’ve managed to reduce the options for students to earn college credit while still in high school and consider this a big win.
Let’s remember the “Freedom Caucus” in August. You’ll have to pay attention. They hide well, and in light of the idiocy they’ve dumped on the people of Wyoming, they’ll be lucky if they’re not entirely swept into the trash bin of history in the primary.
It’s become popular to hate the government and run for a position in that government at the same time. The phrase uttered by fledgling FBI agent Elliot Ness when trying to corral one of America’s most celebrated criminals, Al Capone, rings true among many people who are elected. “I have become what I despise.”
For all those who see themselves as a modern iteration of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, reality is vastly different.
If you don’t know the reference, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” was a classic film about the corrupting power of the federal government produced in 1939 by the legendary Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart in the lead role.
Mr. Smith’s naivety and personal charm eventually won over the jaded denizens of the nation’s capitol but reality is vastly different. Rarely does anyone sworn into office at any level make a substantial difference upon their arrival. It takes time, perseverance, and the ability to compromise on less important issues while remaining true to the promises and values that led to your election.
Rather than lament this process, we should revel in it. It is one more example of the genius of the founding fathers. A Hitler, Tojo, or Mussolini would never make it in America, at least we thought so until recently.
Despite the desire to paint leaders of the opposing party as Hitler, it’s just not possible for a dictator to take over the people of the red, white, and blue. We don’t like politicians all that much. Congress currently has a 10 percent approval rating. It makes you wonder what rock those 10% have been living under.
The economist John Maynard Keynes uttered a phrase that every would-be politician should take to heart. “The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.”
Amen to that John.
Call this one an open letter to the candidates who are now filling our mailboxes with slick propaganda that tap dances around the truth, or the nearly constant TV, radio, and social media ads that are just as deceptive.
One trust fund baby claims to be Reagan and Trump at the same time. Good luck pulling that one off; Reagan would be branded a wild-eyed liberal in today’s ultra-right-wing GOP.
Whether you are seeking local, county, state, or federal office, the message you need to send to your potential constituency is the same. Offer something new, offer something that requires a bit of thought, offer something different from all the others in the herd racing alongside you.
Do not utter catch phrases, don’t march lock step with the extreme elements of your party, and do not make claims that the office you are seeking can’t possibly ever accomplish. Don’t wrap yourself in the flag, don’t tie yourselves to some mythical oligarch who doesn’t care one iota for you or the people you want to represent.
Be an adult.
As the primary approaches later this summer, we should all seek candidates who have answers to a problem or a group of problems. Any candidate who steps above the collective bleating political sheep will get noticed and noticed immediately.
Wrapping yourself in the flag is an old trick, a trick we don’t need to fall for. Running your entire campaign on the promise of “fighting” the federal government or offering traditional conservative values as your only assets is embarrassing to both the candidate and those of us who must listen to this drivel.
Here is a short list of suggestions for candidates at each level of government.
Let’s start with the local city government. If you want to run, run with an idea that will benefit your community. Running simply to see your name on a sign littering someone’s lawn, running to support the status quo, or worst of all, running with a personal financial motive, is the worst that our system allows.
Running to improve conditions in your community, to solve a problem, or to help a specific group of people in need is altruism at its highest level. It’s what we should all look for in our local school boards and city officials.
At the county level, look for the candidate who does his or her homework; an informed commissioner is an asset to a county. A buffoon who runs simply to vote no on every issue is a waste. Sadly, many previous commissioners see their dismal negative voting record as a source of pride. Always voting no requires nothing; no thought, no research, no work, and no hope of improvement.
Thankfully, Fremont County has the best already in our assessor, treasurer, county clerk, coroner, and sheriff. We can and should elect good people like these men and women.
State officials should address the needs of the state. Claiming that you hate the federal government is tantamount to biting the hand that feeds you. Wyomingites don’t like to read this, but the Cowboy State is near the top of the federal dole on a per capita basis. Yes, we are a welfare state, dependent on the economies of other states to survive.
Without the hated “feds,” our roads would still be gravel, there would be no long-term water storage, no influx of happy tourists, willingly spending their money in our local economy, and no public lands to enjoy.
Another thing to look for in a national candidate. If they even hint at selling public land to private buyers, don’t put a check next to their name in the ballot box.
Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, the national forests, and the BLM would be privately owned by the likes of the Rockefellers, DuPont, and Carnegie. Grand Teton itself came into our collective possession only on a generous (and tax-deductible) donation from the Rockefeller family.
Congressional candidates should understand the issues of the nation as well as those of their own state. The system is designed for senators to care for the nation by working with, not against, the president. Working is the keyword here. Just sitting idly by and allowing the executive branch to rule unabated is against the checks and balances provisions of the Constitution. Allowing this should be grounds for removal from office.
Representatives are to “represent” the people of their state. They are our first line of defense against tyranny, oppression, and unfair advantage. When they join the tyrants, oppress the needs of the people, and give unfair advantages to corporate donors and big supporters, they are also at odds with their constitutional duties.
So, the next time you hear someone claim that they’ll fight the government, politely ask them how long that will last once they become part of that same government?
They can’t have it both ways.
Talk is cheap. It is especially cheap when flowing from a politician. We deserve better.
Choose wisely.