Local governments invariably have their "good ole boy" network.
On the state level in NY, the backroom deals, control by a powerful few, ineptitude, and liberal tax and spend bias are well known and amazingly allowed to continue.
All these negative traits, and more, are combined and magnified on the federal level and bringing this once great nation to her knees.
The fat lady ain't sung yet, but she's warming up.
I was thinking along the same lines, Bob, sort of. I see that "distrust them about the same" is running away with it. I can surely understand why people fell that way. I voted I distrust the National Gov the least. Mostly because there is virtually no chance that I would ever come upon Pres. Obama, Sen Schumer, Sen Gillibrand or Rep. Lee in the grocery store, gas station, church, bar etc. I could certainly encounter Sen Ranzenhofer or Assemblyman Hawley, and even more likely a county legislator or town official. In my opinion, the further the politician is from average everyday peons (taxpayers) like me, and have to look us in the eye, the less I trust 'em.
Trust is an interesting word choice. Trust to what? As Bob noted, local politics has generally been dominated by a good ol' boy network. Those with an agenda generally plug into the powers that be... I see a new trend, the national parties seem desperate to solidify their base, especially the Republicans (who are much better organized and funded than Democrats); there seems to be a distinct extension of influence especially on the state level (see Loyalty Oath). Either it was subtler in the past, and didn't attract notice, or the GOP is in the process of making a concerted effort at top-down management.
In any event, I trust politicians to do whatever keeps their future secure: making sure that the interests that fund their re-election and upward movement in the political echelon are satisfied. ...Whether locally, state level or federal government. If that sounds cynical, it's due to 40 years of cumulative scrutiny.
That is not to say that there are no good politicians. The question is whether they are accidental or not. The more we depend on parties to elevate worthwhile candidates; the less opportunity for independent-minded candidates. Of course, philosophically, independence and government are poles apart. However, the fastest growing political affiliation is unaffiliated. Interesting dichotomy.
" the GOP is in the process of making a concerted effort at top-down management."
The democrats that have been running Albany and Washington are absolved in your eyes? Pelosi and Reid are NOT the most arrogant, conniving and power hungry "leaders" that Congress have seen in recent times? So they listen to the wishes of the people? They don't consider voters their flock of sheep ("we have to pass this bill so we can see whats in it!")? Passage of the dReam Act in the house despite 80-85% of the people opposing it?
Burying billions of dollars of pork in obamacare in order to buy the necessary votes?
And I won't even get into the farce that is Albany.
Don't get me wrong - I believe BOTH major parties are guilty of the above type elitist arrogance - with the party in power having the best opportunity to practice shortchanging America's peoples by the above type of behavior in order to advance their personal agendas.
For you to single out the Republicans is indicative of your liberal/progressive underpinnings CM.
Bob, you seem to have overlooked "the national PARTIES (my added emphasis) seem desperate to solidify their base." I noted that the Republicans are "much better organized and funded than Democrats." I did highlight the Republican Loyalty Oath as a particularly overt manifestation. I certainly was absolving neither Democrats or Republicans. As to my "liberal/progressive underpinnings," I would object to such manipulation whether I was liberal, conservative or frozen custard.
John, you'll have to bring me up to speed on that. As you may know, I am a Green Party member. I am aware of intentional pledges (example: Cuomo Pledge, promise to vote for Cuomo)- have no knowledge of the oath you speak of. In any event, I am opposed to mechanisms that put representatives in a quandary between party, constituency and conscience.
CM,
Since you had mentioned the "Republican Loyalty Oath" as a means to solidify their base, I was just wondering if you remembered the controversy here on the local Dems having a version of it for candidates who were running for local office last year. If you don't, no matter. Just wanted to make clear that members of both major parties seem to like it in some form or other.
Bea, as I remain unfamiliar with the "local Democratic Party oath" that John brought up, you'll have to address your inquiry to him. Unless you are referring to the Republican Loyalty Oath that I mentioned in my original post. As an active Democrat; I don't imagine you "missed" that. I became aware of it as a news item. The Cuomo Pledge that I posited (in response to John's question directed to me) was available at Democratic headquarters, booths at LeRoy Oatka Fest, Genesee and Orleans County Fairs and elsewhere. ...Not so much an oath as a promise to vote for Cuomo/Duffy. I wasn't suggesting that pledge equated to a loyalty oath; it was the sole approximation I had first-hand knowledge of.
Local governments invariably
Local governments invariably have their "good ole boy" network.
On the state level in NY, the backroom deals, control by a powerful few, ineptitude, and liberal tax and spend bias are well known and amazingly allowed to continue.
All these negative traits, and more, are combined and magnified on the federal level and bringing this once great nation to her knees.
The fat lady ain't sung yet, but she's warming up.
I was thinking along the same
I was thinking along the same lines, Bob, sort of. I see that "distrust them about the same" is running away with it. I can surely understand why people fell that way. I voted I distrust the National Gov the least. Mostly because there is virtually no chance that I would ever come upon Pres. Obama, Sen Schumer, Sen Gillibrand or Rep. Lee in the grocery store, gas station, church, bar etc. I could certainly encounter Sen Ranzenhofer or Assemblyman Hawley, and even more likely a county legislator or town official. In my opinion, the further the politician is from average everyday peons (taxpayers) like me, and have to look us in the eye, the less I trust 'em.
Trust is an interesting word
Trust is an interesting word choice. Trust to what? As Bob noted, local politics has generally been dominated by a good ol' boy network. Those with an agenda generally plug into the powers that be... I see a new trend, the national parties seem desperate to solidify their base, especially the Republicans (who are much better organized and funded than Democrats); there seems to be a distinct extension of influence especially on the state level (see Loyalty Oath). Either it was subtler in the past, and didn't attract notice, or the GOP is in the process of making a concerted effort at top-down management.
In any event, I trust politicians to do whatever keeps their future secure: making sure that the interests that fund their re-election and upward movement in the political echelon are satisfied. ...Whether locally, state level or federal government. If that sounds cynical, it's due to 40 years of cumulative scrutiny.
That is not to say that there are no good politicians. The question is whether they are accidental or not. The more we depend on parties to elevate worthwhile candidates; the less opportunity for independent-minded candidates. Of course, philosophically, independence and government are poles apart. However, the fastest growing political affiliation is unaffiliated. Interesting dichotomy.
" the GOP is in the process
" the GOP is in the process of making a concerted effort at top-down management."
The democrats that have been running Albany and Washington are absolved in your eyes? Pelosi and Reid are NOT the most arrogant, conniving and power hungry "leaders" that Congress have seen in recent times? So they listen to the wishes of the people? They don't consider voters their flock of sheep ("we have to pass this bill so we can see whats in it!")? Passage of the dReam Act in the house despite 80-85% of the people opposing it?
Burying billions of dollars of pork in obamacare in order to buy the necessary votes?
And I won't even get into the farce that is Albany.
Don't get me wrong - I believe BOTH major parties are guilty of the above type elitist arrogance - with the party in power having the best opportunity to practice shortchanging America's peoples by the above type of behavior in order to advance their personal agendas.
For you to single out the Republicans is indicative of your liberal/progressive underpinnings CM.
Bob, you seem to have
Bob, you seem to have overlooked "the national PARTIES (my added emphasis) seem desperate to solidify their base." I noted that the Republicans are "much better organized and funded than Democrats." I did highlight the Republican Loyalty Oath as a particularly overt manifestation. I certainly was absolving neither Democrats or Republicans. As to my "liberal/progressive underpinnings," I would object to such manipulation whether I was liberal, conservative or frozen custard.
CM, Remember the local
CM,
Remember the local Democratic Party oath, that was a bit of a controversy right here?
John, you'll have to bring me
John, you'll have to bring me up to speed on that. As you may know, I am a Green Party member. I am aware of intentional pledges (example: Cuomo Pledge, promise to vote for Cuomo)- have no knowledge of the oath you speak of. In any event, I am opposed to mechanisms that put representatives in a quandary between party, constituency and conscience.
C.M did I miss the oath
C.M
did I miss the oath taking?
CM, Since you had mentioned
CM,
Since you had mentioned the "Republican Loyalty Oath" as a means to solidify their base, I was just wondering if you remembered the controversy here on the local Dems having a version of it for candidates who were running for local office last year. If you don't, no matter. Just wanted to make clear that members of both major parties seem to like it in some form or other.
Bea, as I remain unfamiliar
Bea, as I remain unfamiliar with the "local Democratic Party oath" that John brought up, you'll have to address your inquiry to him. Unless you are referring to the Republican Loyalty Oath that I mentioned in my original post. As an active Democrat; I don't imagine you "missed" that. I became aware of it as a news item. The Cuomo Pledge that I posited (in response to John's question directed to me) was available at Democratic headquarters, booths at LeRoy Oatka Fest, Genesee and Orleans County Fairs and elsewhere. ...Not so much an oath as a promise to vote for Cuomo/Duffy. I wasn't suggesting that pledge equated to a loyalty oath; it was the sole approximation I had first-hand knowledge of.