Readers,
One of the reasons I decided to catalogue and post as much information about the candidates as possible has to due with the lack of information about the candidates and their platforms, ideas and vision for the ward. Candidate fundraiser details and where to call to get a yard sign is all that is really out there about the aldermanic race in the 41st Ward. Casting a vote for an office as important as alderman based on the number of yard signs a candidate can put up is absolutely ridiculous.
I have been impressed by a few of the candidates and how hard they are working in this race. They have been completing not for profit endorsement questionnaires, canvassing the largest ward in the city, and attending forums prepared to speak to the community about some very complex subjects.
Conversely, I have seen some red flags go up and think it is important for us, as voters in a vital aldermanic race, to be aware and see these problems for what they are... red flag behavior indicative of a possible pattern of the same behaviors while in office.
Examples of Red Flag behavior in this race so far:
1. Chamber of Commerce candidate who accepts an endorsement (financial and human capital support surely to follow) from a special interest group/labor union who she never supported or had interest in prior to the election, allowing herself and her office to be used to cohort special interest power within the city council.
2. Candidate who didn't show up at a forum because he made a decision to attend his own fundraiser instead.
3. Candidates who don't follow through with opportunities to express their platforms/ideas in writing or at editorial board (and IVI-IPO) endorsement forums & appointments for whatever reason.
Some of the reasons given: appointment times aren't convenient for the candidate, political ideology differs from the newspaper editorial board ( this is a really poor excuse....being a politicians means learning how to get along with people with diverse ideologies), dog ate the questionnaire etc...
4. Candidates who show up unprepared to answer questions at forums/debates.
5. Candidates who try to cover up knowledge deficits with attempts at humor, diversion, and disorganization.
6. Candidate who allowed a person banned from ever doing business with the City of Chicago for his involvement in the "hired truck scandal" and tax payer rip-off, to throw her a fundraiser and support her candidacy.
7. Candidate who was fired from the city for not cooperating in a land/zoning corruption scandal.
8. Candidates who don't show up at forums/debates sponsored by community groups
It will be up to the voters to seek out as much information as possible about these candidates through the aldermanic forums & debates, as well as to call/write the candidates yourself and ask them your questions directly. It is our responsibility as voters to educate ourselves about the candidates and cast our vote for the candidate that can best serve the community, our families and ourselves. We need to start asking questions.
Showing posts with label Red Flags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Flags. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
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