So I am now starting to understand the whole politics dilemma -- and why we are so screwed up in the USA politically. Let me tell you that I am naive and idealistic, even though being a pastor gives you plenty of doses of reality. When it comes to our country and especially the political process that we hold so dear in this nation, I am a hopeless patriot -- but that might change in the coming months.
Last week as I mentioned I decided to run for school board in our community. I believe (probably a little naive) that anyone who feels they could make a difference; you have some passion around some nodal issues; you are not out for egotistical reasons and you think you can persuade enough people to vote for you should take the risk and run for elected office. The fact of the matter, our electoral process in this country makes it very affordable for a person to get on the ballot and you have to do the hard work of asking people for signatures.
So I did that but then I was told by some "well intentioned, probably much more savvy about these things" friend said -- "Are you going to try to get endorsed?" What is that I said. Endorsement is the validation by a local political party on a candidate. Basically anyone can run on the "Republican" banner -- however the endorsed candidate is the official candidate of the party. The chosen one (or four in the school board); the one that you would think is the BEST person for the job.
Now foolishly you would think if a local committee of the political party was vetting candidates there would be a systematic, impartial, some what scientific process to the endorsement - NOT. Now the GOP constitution for Lancaster does have a clear process outlined, yet it LOOKS LIKE that process is completely ignored or contorted to make it seem like the process is being followed. Let me give you an example.... possible candidates are supposed to be contacted by or before January 20th. In my case I began contacting the GOP leaders in Nov-Dec and asking to talk with someone. I was not contacted until three weeks ago and the nature of the phone call was basically to discourage me from running. Second, each possible endorsee is to meet with the complete local committee meeting a quorum (I was invited the day before the meeting and was way at a marriage conference). That did not happen! Thirdly a SECRET BALLOT was to be taken of the committee people and I know that never happened for any of the candidates being considered. By the way when a secret ballot is taken it is not “secret” in regards to ONLY ONE PERSON counting the votes. There needs to be accountability and the assurance of integrity in the process. Finally there needed to be a 2/3 affirmation of the endorsed candidate. 51%-40% is not 2/3's -- so the committee must keep working at it until they get the 2/3's or the person does not receive endorsement.
I realized last week when I met with the GOP local LS committee that they were not serious about vetting me. Only a portion of the board met with me. No one asked a serious question regarding my fitness to serve as a school board director. There was not one question asked about my position on issues like curriculum; sex education; teachers unions; view on administrative selection; and the list goes on (I was ready to give an answer on all those issues). So the process was not only flawed but also a farce. The "fix was in" on who they would select as the endorsed candidate and in a township like LS -- the endorsed candidate is a shoe in.
This political fixing is so strong that I met a friend this week and asked them to sign the petition for my ballot acceptance and they declined. They said that if they signed my petition -- "seeing I was an unendorsed candidate" and the committee found out -- they would overlook him in the future for positions they would like to run for! WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
It was this kind of manipulation and unfair process that really motivates me to run. The fact is the GOP is completely foolish in operating in this “Good Old boy” mentality. This party is fading fast in this county and across the country and it is this kind of back room dealing that young people disdain! One of the things that Obama showed us in the recent election is to get people involved in the process OR AT THE VERY LEAST -- make them think they have a sharehold in the political process. The internet became his way to touch all potential voters and allowed them an opportunity to sound off and give their opinion and even make suggestions to his policies. Whether he acts on them will be another thing. But he energized voters who for a long time felt marginalized by the kind of politics I have just experienced.
Again maybe its my naivety or stupidity -- but I believe that the baker, the farmer, the teacher, the pastor -- if they have something to contribute in their community and they have the experience and expertise to make a different should have a shot at convincing the voter to give him a chance. NO PARTY (or worst ONE PERSON) should dictate who it is that can or can't run, especially when the potential candidate has been a faithful party supporters; helped many others get elected and been a contributor for 28 years. This is why we are broken and the only way to fix the “fix” -- is to break up its stranglehold on the process.
I am Jamie Mitchell. I am running for LS School Board. I need your support. And no one paid for this announcement -- I am unendorsed and have no money! :)