Posted on 09/07/2005 8:45:00 PM PDT by Old_Mil
What would you have done?
This evening the wife of a gentleman running for our local school board stopped by my house (well situated on a corner) to ask if she could post campaign signs for her husband who was running for the local school board.
I didn't know either of them, so I said, "if you don't mind, first could you tell me what platform he's running on?"
"Oh," she said, "it's nothing strange. We moved here from out of state and have three girls and want to make sure that the school doesn't cut programs because of budget cuts. We're doing it for the children."
"Are you guys Republicans or Democrats?" I asked?
"Nonpartisan" she said.
"Hmm," I said, "I'll tell you what. I'm a fairly conservative Republican. I think that property taxes are already out of control and we're spending too much money on a failed system of public education. The last thing our schools need are more 'programs'. So thanks for stopping by, but I honestly don't think that I can support your platform."
She seemed shocked - but left.
What would you have done?
Our Mayor came by my house and wanted to put signs up on my lawn. I asked him what party he was with and he told me that it was a non partisan election and they didn't run on political tickets. I pressed him for his party of choice and he finally told me he was a Republican and seemed relieved when I told him that was the party of my choice too. He put his signs in my yard after that.
More to the story. He came by again before the election to urge me to be sure to come out and vote for him. He was a likable person and I assured him that I would. Much to my surprise come election day, I found out that he was running unopposed.
Oi would've given the ol' witch a piece o' my axe-handle.
I, personally, might have handled it a little differently but then, I tend to be more cynical than most. My bet is that they were advocating a specific program that would benefit one of their own children, maybe a learning disability, maybe, a particular sporting activity, maybe, a particular family/religious language. But, in the end, I would have told them "no," and said "goodbye."
Put up a sign for the opposition.
I would have done about the same thing you did, your conclusions of her answers were accurate, your actions were polite, but left no doubt what you meant.
Sounds like wisdom, to me.
How dare she expect to use you without knowing anything about you. Doing what she did would be political suicide where I live.
Anybody who says they're "non-partisan" is LYING!!
I'd have done what you did. However, I think I would have ask them how they're registered to vote .. because that's a public record that I could check if they lied.
If they say "independent" then you know they stick their finger in the wind and go whichever way the wind blows.
I would have asked how much are you willing to rent my prperty for, after her answer, I would have asked for 3 times more , plus clean up costs in cash, upfront and a waiver from liability.
Best "school board" ever!
If I had let them put them up the gardeners would have just mowed them down like they always do with our sprinkler heads.
Here's the questions I would ask of anyone running for office, in fact I think I wouls ask it of anyone who wants influence over any part of my life.
Who did you vote for in 2000 for President?
in 2004?
For whom do you plan to vote for President in 2008?
The answers to those questions will tell you a person's philosopy on the role of government in our lives.
Well done and thanks for the post. You did a great job of apprehending a stealth Liberal who lacks the courage and honesty to stand up for what they REALLY believe....
BUMP!
If you posted to me while typing 60+ WPM, that would be a SPEED bump
;^)
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