I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work.
Of course it doesn't work.
We are supposed to work it.
Alexander Woollcott
With less than two months left before the November 2, 2010 election, the six candidates running for the two open seats on the Kern Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors have participated in what I am calling, "the fairness campaign."
After years of watching one candidate trying to stomp the other as a way of winning the votes of the people of the United States, I thought we could set an example for our politicians and news outlets by allowing the candidates to speak to the voters, in their own words, unedited, and without restriction.
I want to hear about the "people" themselves, and not about the sometimes fictional deficiencies of their fellow candidates.
So, I asked the six KVHD board candidates, Tom Bostick, Kathryn Knight, David Derr, John Blythe, Dr. Wesley Thomas, and Saul McGarity if they would like to publish a candidate statement and answer a few questions on the blog.
All of them agreed to do this, and I offered unlimited space, a photo, four questions, a candidate statement, and contact information. Each of them chose their own presentation.
(However, one candidate, Saul McGarity, is down with the flu, but will be participating once he gets well.)
Your vote makes all the difference
Voting is the power of the people. And to vote wisely, I believe a fair playing Field is in order, so that we can not only "meet" the candidates, but hear in their own words what they believe they can do if elected to a governing position.
I recently sent a letter to the LA Times chastising them for keeping our candidate for California Governor "Jerry Brown" in the paper constantly. Anyone running for the KVHD board knows that Mr. Brown, current Attorney General, was one of many who had a chance to help this rural hospital district in crisis because of elder abuse allegations. And he could have investigated the lending practices of Cal Mtg., but his office would not even respond to that request.
While we in this valley fell silent, in shock, after criminal charges and civil cases were filed last year, Brown announced his run for Governor. He also used this hospital as a demonstration of hyperbole, when he said it was the worst case of "elder abuse" he'd ever seen.
Now Brown has moved on to the City of Bell, a hot spot of corruption, currying favor with such publications as the Sacramento Bee and the LA Times.
It's the game of election politics, aided and abetted by the media.
I disagree totally
One of the main reasons I felt that our candidates needed a forum they could use to spell out to the public what they "stand for" is that they could easily be dismissed by a bias media.
Newspapers have no legal standard as far as having to print both sides of the issue or even all the candidates' platforms. Television and radio have a different set of rules via the FCC.
I could do whatever I want to, but what I want is reform of the election process. I'm tired of the commercials, the misstatements, the lack of focus on the qualifications for the job, the money changing hands and I decided that I could create something where our local candidates could express and educate without all the static.
I have a higher and grander standard of principle than George Washington. He could not lie; I can, but I won't.
Mark Twain
Comment on the candidate statements
I just want to say that I'm impressed by all of the statements as these daring people appear both willing and able to help our district not only survive, but make progress.
What I noticed is that each person took their time to answer to the public in an intelligent, concerned and sincere manner. Nobody senselessly slammed anyone else, they are obviously looking for the answers to help their community.
They are simply using this forum to disseminate their own message to the voters.
With six solid candidates this will be a difficult decision to decide on only two (I would like to grab them all and take them to the hospital to problem solve and plan for the future) but voters will have the opportunity to read and re-read each participants platform prior to the election to aid in a tough choice.
Regardless of the outcome, who wins, I suspect we will continue to see the others involved in some way to support change for the better at KVHD.
The second thing that impressed me was that everyone was willing to address some very difficult issues, which shows courage as well as confidence.
There are serious problems with the hospital, financially, their ability to provide more varied and needed services, a numerous amount of lawsuits, criminal charges, a 24 year old debt with the state office Cal Mtg., as well as many other issues which could lead to a dead end road if not addressed relatively soon.
What I'm not seeing is a "political" focus, but a community concerned about it's future. How refreshing. Wouldn't it be nice if we could somehow convince the entrenched government to follow suit and not spend half their elected life on the campaign trail?
So, right off the bat, I say thank you to all for even considering this difficult challenge of being elected to an ailing hospital board, but we all appreciate your courage for taking a stand regarding what you believe.
To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
VOTE!
You can obtain registration forms at the Kern County Elections office in Bakersfield, the library, fire stations and post offices. But with technology comes the ability to register and vote on line. You may also change your address or other information via the elections website. For more information go online to: http://elections.co.kern.ca.us/Elections/
Or call Kern Co. Elections at 661-868-3590
(See candidate statements: Tom Bostick, Kathryn Knight, David Derr, John Blythe, Saul McGarity, and Dr. Wesley Thomas following this post...)
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