When is Democracy Too Costly?

Have you asked yourself that question?  Have you made it a point to ask  yourself - when is democracy too costly?  Do you know the answer?  I do.

Democracy becomes too expensive when the democratic process might result in you not getting what you want.  You can see the public relations effort on behalf of the those about to be on the losing end of the democratic process HERE. 

I think it is interesting that we can all talk about the fundamental need for the democratic process when the ramifications of that process are undefined.  It seems that it is easy to say "we need to have elections."  It is harder to say "we need to have an election that will probably end with me losing my elected position." The referenced article above is evidence that democracy isn't always thought of as "good" by everyone - hence the elimination of democracy by people who don't want to become a victim of it.

The mayor and his followers are now trying to play the "it's too expensive to have this election" card now that it's quite clear he will not survive it.  It's a desperate strategy and it leaves the mayor open for criticism.  Has he ever felt that democracy was too costly to practice in the past?  What about the bond elections held while he's been in office for all of these years?  He didn't have an objection to their cost?  All of sudden he's on the chopping block and he now has a particular eye to the costs of an election.  Sounds self-serving to me.

And let's be honest, the cost spread quoted in the paper is a laughable - $300,000 to $900,000.  Basically what they are saying is "the cost could be this much... or three times that much - we don't know."  They know the cost - they know within $25,000 to $50,000 of what it will be.  The County has set rate on the use of their equipment and have a pretty good idea what programming costs.  Poor Richarda Momsen is being forced to give out this wild ass information an attempt to protect the mayor and the other two recalled council members.  She is a very precise woman and her reputation is taking a hit for someone else and that's wrong.  Momsen is one of those city employees who makes me feel like I'm spending my tax dollars correctly every week on her paycheck. She's sharp and now her reputation is being thrown under the bus for political gain.

I think it's ridiculous that the paper lets its reporters mask opinion pieces as news.  Does the paper really want to stand on the side of the aisle that says democracy is only good when it is cheap?  Tell that to the family of a veteran... tell that to a family who has lost someone in the battle for that democracy... tell that to the man or woman who has lost their good health to the defense of democracy and then tell me if you think an election is "too expensive." 

This whole thing has gotten the mayor to where he is today under the theme of the "will of the people."  You'd think the guy would figure out some point that he'd be better following their will at some point instead of trying to disfranchise them at every turn - including this upcoming recall election.  At what point will he learn?   It's the fundamental problem with democrats - democracy is good when you're on top and it's bad when you aren't.  What they really believe is that they only like the things in life that give to them and take from others - putting them on top.  That means using whatever political ethos that is available at the time to gain power.  Hence democrat's palate for dictatorships and such. 

Now, the people who cast their votes to deny gays benefits should have known it was a meaningless exercise due to the fact that some politician many years ago saw what might happen with a ballot initiative and wrote rules into the game that allowed them to ignore such acts of democracy.  It's a shock, but it's a reality.  It can be changed.  The rules for recalls can be changed as well - I would suspect that those people sitting in the half circle around the recalled mayor are anxiously crafting plans to change the process so that they won't become a victim of a recall in the future. 

Be sure of one thing, citizens - politicians will always ensure their own safety before they even think of dabbling into yours.  In fact, the less secure you feel, the more powerful (and better off) they are.

Comments

[Gossip Girl]

I don't buy the agrument that this can't be on the ballet in November. Be that as it may, we will have a primary election in the spring how about then. No matter the cost, we will be better off financially to recall Cook, Ortega, and Byrd for they cost us so much more money in the long run!

[voter]

It can't be on the November state constitutional election because the petitions were not certified in time to give the 60-day notice of an election. State of Texas does not allow any other elections/issues to be held in March on Primary day. So - that's why the next date would be the typical May election. But - city council can ask Gov. Perry for an exception. They could hold this election in December, January, February or April and not have a conflict with County Elections schedule. But - they are waiting for Cook's desperate appeals to wind their way through the judicial system before they will ask for any date other than May 2012. May 2012 date gives them the ability to say - "hey I only have 1 year left before I term out - let me stay". That will be the campaign theme for all 3 officials.

DavidK is right on how much is democracy worth to you. All of this disaster could have been prevented if 3 certain council people had pulled their ego out of their butt and not pronounced to the world that "we want benefits for domestic partners!" It was allowed under the insurance plan document. No need to blast it to the world. They should be recalled simply because they are stupid and recklessly put taxpayer dollars at risk for their personal beliefs.

[Jesus]

Our city is broke and they are whining about we are too broke to do a recall election, but we sure can have a vote on a bond election for new arena and whatever else city council can dream up to spend money on. Cook, Byrd, Ortega, if you really love this city and want to do this city a favor then just resign.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_19038316

[voter]

Amen. It's not the right time to do a bond issue. No one will agree on what projects should be done and we sure don't want to fund a $100 Million arena.

Cook lost his appeal today. So - City - go ask Gov. Perry to let you hold an election sooner rather than later. Let's move - get it done when the County Elections can administer it - that's the least expensive way.

[Jesus]

Quality of life issue ? Hey council, if you want to help with my quality of life then lower my property taxes by 25 percent.

[Can't wait to vote]

The right thing for them to do is to resign.

[Gossip Girl]

From the El Paso Times, "City officials will ask Perry to allow an emergency election at a time when the county is able to conduct it. But Municipal Clerk Richarda Momsen said the Secretary of State's office said the governor only grants such elections rarely, and then almost always because of natural disasters such as hurricanes."

Perhaps Perry will recognize we have something worse than a natural disaster. An UNnatural disaster in the form of progressive opportunisitc politicians run amuk! Once the recall election does come around the people should be good and angry because they did not resign to avoid the cost. Time for a new Cook song; The El Paso Recall Blues!!!!

[Jesus]

GG, this is a natural disaster. They took my vote and told me to stick it up my ass. Now the next time i vote maybe i can help stick it up theirs.

[Old Fart]

Very interesting article David K, and thanks for your take on this matter.

Also found comments provided by posters sharing their views equally interesting.

It is refreshing to see the alternative views being provided here for consideration, rather than only the status quo ones now pushed by some in the news media.

Thanks.

[Robnelp]

Jesus...
in one post you bitch about how the city is broke and can't afford to spend any money...in the next post you request a 25% reduction on your property taxes?

Would you care to explain how that would result in the city being in better financial shape?

[Jesus]

ROB, how about doing away with the city paying any dependent coverage at all on health insurance. What would that cut off the budget ? The private sector is still getting paid what we were in the 90's. Would the city ever even consider upper management getting a wage cut. No they wouldn't and they are still bitching about not getting there usual 3 percent raise. My Roth Ira went from 50k to 25k because of the market and also so did the police department's pension. The police department didnt want their retirement mixed in with the city's. It lost it's ass and the city bails it out for 20 MIl. No one bailed mine out. Im still waiting. The part about cutting my Taxes was meant to be sarcastic because i know they would never do it, but i guess you want an arena. By the way i pay 100 grand a year in property tax whether i make one nickel in income.
The city never cuts anything. It's satisfied
just as long as it just doesn't have to raise taxes.

[eric]

And you who voted for stripping benefits took the first right for us all to be equal. I am very glad for what the mayor did. And you all complain about taxes taxes taxes, while texas cuts public hospital funds and while having such high percent of people without insurance. Have you all noticed county wants to raise hospital taxes? Are you all so ignorant to strip 2 gay people health benefits which in return actually help pay there hospital bill rather then you having to foot the bill. When you all actually learn taxing in el paso. It's not just the city the school district actually tax the most. And these people aren't getting free insurance they pay asweel! And about the private sector hey don't complain to the city complain to your bosses about you not getting health insurance, the city is trying to compete with cities! And fyi people dallas, austin, fort worth, and houston all offer this same benefits how odd these are the biggest republican bases and this city is just hating on the gays why can't you all accept its because the gays not because the city spending 30,000 for the benefits! And.your votes should have been over turned, and im glad they were! There has been many votes over turned for greater good! ! If votes werent over turned we'd still be sperate from whites!

[Thomas]

Eric
You can whine about the out come of the election but who's fault was it that your side did not turn out the vote.You and company!Had it gone the other way and the CC over turned the will of the voters of El Paso you and Company would have been screaming from the top of the Franklin mountains how wrong it was for the CC to over turn the will of the people.Cook and Company are getting the out comes for being arrogant,egotistical,ignorant and thumbing their noses at the voters of El Paso.
As to taxes in El Paso for most elected officials there has never been a tax or fee they did not like.In addition if they could not do it up front,in that it would hurt their chances at reelection,they have never had a problem using the back door of the EPCAD.
Organize,overturn the ordiance at the voting booth,defeat the recall in the courts or at the voting booth but stop whining.No one is going to give you and company these things with out putting up a fight.This time around there will not be any free handouts.

[David K]

eric,

Lot of passion in that post there - good for you. However, you need to learn the difference between "health insurance" and "health care."

[ANUTHA BRUTHA]

Eric, comparing this vote to the plight of black people in the past is an insult and a joke.

[Charlie]

I had to read the ballot twice because the language was so vague and obscure. Despite that added time in the ballot booth, I did read it and I did cast my vote. Mine was done because it did not include partnerships that were not declared by informal marriage (common law marriage) and the only exception was if both parties were of the same sex. It should have extended to all partnerships where people lived together as a couple for many many years...but it didn't.

Despite the time I took and the decision I made and of course the fact that I did not share my reasons but they were reasons I believed were relevant, my vote was moot.

I sympathize that it affected the retirees and those dependents who are no longer considered "covered" and I know that it also encompassed "same sex" partners, but I still felt that my live in and I should have been considered after all, it's not my fault that she lives an ideology of Gene Simmons and his 26 year relationship with his girlfriend, that he finally married (so she can cash in on his estate if he dies).

The point is "why did you ask me for my opinion, if it really didn't matter."

If I dont want to pay the City Tax Increase, can I along with the taxpayer base "vote" to overturn City Council's decision? After all I have my own personal reasons why I do not want to pay an increase...my honey's insurance premiums are killing my payroll deductions...can I appeal...can I say "who cares what you say?" Call it homophobia, or call it arrogant, the point is, why does the Mayor decide what the voters "should" have said versus what they "did" say.

[eric]

with out health insurance publicly funded hospitals cough cough UMC take the burden of having to pay for the bill, which hmm taxe payers actually have to pay. I know the difference and hmm thomas, i was 16 years old at that time so i was unable to vote. Just like many other young people of El Paso, as soon as the recall comes I can assure you the young vote will come out. We are the future of America, and much as you all might want to think gays will not be equal. The young vote will soon push for equality, no matter if they are straight, blue, gay, black

[David K]

eric,

Again, I think you are mistaking the personally cheaper option of insurance versus the publicly cheaper option of health care for those who can't pay.

And yes - the youth are the future, however you won't be young in the future and your attitude on a myriad of issues will change drastically over that time. Believe me - once I hit 30 it was like I was completely different person. So, by the time you young people decided to vote, you'll be thinking just like I do.

[eric]

No david i know a difference between state and federal health care such as medicare! :) basically uh welfare for insurance. I know the difference its taught in middle school which was not to far back for me. City government pays insurance companies such as aetna which is el paso provider to offer health insurance to employees in which the employee pays a premium montly. As opposed to medicare which they dont pay monthly premiums i know the difference! But like i said with out such things people who dont qualify for medicare and dont have insurance they go to UMC in a emergency and the tax payers end up having to foot the bill!!
And ha i did actually vote but thanks for thinking i didnt and no not at all because as i grow up i wont decide to hate. Neither will our more ummm open generation of people. Religion is religion science is science science is FACT! And uhh ANUTHUA uhh think about this over 500 species have homosexuals and born that way, and only 1 is homophobic so which one sounds more natural. People are born gay . And we wonder why our public education is failing they canNt even teach basic science of real creation story!

[voter]

Eric if you truly are currently enrolled in our public schools you sure have a strange way of putting a sentence together.

[eric]

Im writing from my phone sorry, for not being perfect. i don't have the luxoryto write from my house and lap top.

[student]

By the way voter that was a run-on, needs a coma.