Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Political Class is losing ground!

From Rasmussen Reports last week:

Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters nationwide now hold populist, or Mainstream, views of government. That’s up from 55% earlier in the year. These voters are skeptical of both big government and big business...

Only four percent (4%) now support the the Political Class, down from seven percent (7%) six months ago. These voters tend to trust political leaders more than the public at large and are far less skeptical about government.

When leaners are included, 79% are in the Mainstream category, and 12% support the Political Class.


I wonder how Cheshire's Political Class will fair in November? I wonder how many town employees remember this November 2008 post that was a trip down memory lane to October 2005?

Tim White

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find that most people in this town don't have a clue as to what is going on. Then they go vote based on whose signs they liked the best (btw Tim--yellow and red are not a great combination) or if they recognize someones name.
When I start talking to them about certain issues, such as the $500K referendum for turf, oops--I mean, infrastructure at CHS, they don't have a clue.
I just hope the current minority could get their points across to these people.

Anonymous said...

Tim,

If it has been determined that the athletic grant can be used for the track or locker rooms stop reading.

I do not understand why the Republicans council members have not done what is necessary to determine if the grant money can be used for things other than turf. To me it gives the appearance that you are just as incapable of action as the people you accuse of the same; pot kettle black.

It does not take a majority to enact change, but an impassioned minority. I would love to see less Democrat bashing and more communication of the Republican platform and the specific actions they will take in leading this town.

tim white said...

my computer got hit with a pretty wretched virus last night, but here goes...

I did try to determine the possible uses of the $525,000 grant. First, I called hartford and spoke with a financial person with knowledge of the grant money "discretionary fund." (the description was Mary Fritz' and was mentioned in the Herald around Feb 08). When I asked to see the money in a particular budget line item, I was told that it was an "amorphous" figure.

Then when the Council voted in July 08, I asked Chairman Hall to request the presence of any / all state officials at the Council meeting so that the could explain to the Council and town the nature of the $525,000. Specifically, during the Council meeting I attempted to get the Council to request Amann to redirect the money to the pool. The majority pretended as though this was impossible or unrealistic - total hogwash.

I think it's unrealistic to expect the Council minority to tackle the nonsense in Hartford.


I'm uncertain what more I could have done. But I'm open to suggestions.

Your view of ineffectiveness is, IMO, better described as a refusal by the majority to set the town's priorities in order (pool before the turf).

I agree though that being in the minority does not necessarily stifle all action.

I got the Council to finally consider a solution for the pool.

I got the Council to move on restricting the number of town-owned take-home vehicles.

The town eliminated DB plans for future non-union hires. The idea started with me

The town added video to the town website. The idea started with me.

But when you're in the minority, one's ability to effect change is often less than it would be in the majority... at least in our current situation where the Council leadership acknowledges "we take direction from the TM." So bipartisanship is often impossible because the left has no opinion (other than that of staff) And when smarter government comes in conflict with the boss' tolerance of bad government... then the taxpayer needs to identify five new people who are willing to ensure good government.

I have ideas for the future... but I'll discuss that later... this virus is really REALLY annoying.

Anonymous said...

it is ridiculous for people to complain about the "political class" if they don't take the time to know what they are talking about and vote intelligently. Our Democracy is only as good as the public paying attention.