- Joined
- Mar 7, 2011
- Messages
- 44,814
- Reaction score
- 20,221
- Location
- A very blue state
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Independent
My city is having an election. The incumbent mayor (Democrat) is backed by big business while the challenger is more traditional in this town; backed by the fire, police, and utility (city owned) unions. The incumbent has more campaign cash but the challenger (Democrat) has more manpower.
My problem is that they are both tied to special interests. The incumbent has brought in some development, but at a cost. We got a new Amazon distribution center, but part of the deal is they pay nothing, nada, zero, for their utilities. This type of deal, along with property tax breaks, TIFF, and other inducements have resulted in our utility rates going up almost 100% in the past few years. Our property tax rates are now 4th highest in the nation.
The challenger, on the other hand, has promised police and fire great new contracts, even better retirement and lots of new equipment. They already have a "great" deal without any enhancements. (These union members are required to live within city limits, so they carry some serious clout).
My city has been run by Democrats for generations. There is no opposition. Only infighting within the Democratic machine.
Most judgeships and other city offices, like Treasurer, have no opposition on the ballot. No one runs against the people in power.
My state (Kansas) is run by Republicans. It has problems of it's own due to one party rule.
At least at the national level power changes hands once in a while.
Sorry about the rant, but I'm sick of one party rule. It's why many cities and some states are in such sorry shape.
There is too much one party in the big cities. What you see here is that conservatives don't think it's worth challenging the election.