Things to ponder, July 8
From the windmill of my mind … If you want a glimpse of a patented political deflection tactic, make sure you check out Sunday’s letters to the editor, where four members of our state House delegation have banded together to make a joint statement. It’s not about open records, lobbyist disclosure, middle-of-the-night pay raises, or the need for any major reform in Harrisburg. (But you could have predicted that.) The chief concern of these legislative scribes is taking take some potshots against yours truly.
The words “ill will” and “cynicism” will appear in the aforementioned letter, as will a condemnation that we have “the brass to throw spears.” I’ll take that as a compliment. Because in this business, you’ve got to have “the brass,” particularly when you’re dealing with people who think they are far beyond criticism and public accountability.
GOP state House candidate Greg Hopkins, who taped a “Behind the Headlines” show for HSTV on Friday, raised an interesting point that’s worth your consideration. Concerning the clout touted by his 50th District opponent, a 30-year incumbent, Hopkins basically said that 30 years ago, Fayette and Greene counties ranked second and third from the bottom in many categories among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Today, those counties still rank near the bottom in many of those same categories, said Hopkins, and may even hold those same positions. So where’s the benefit of all that clout?
If I were a state legislator last July, I’d have had “the brass” to stand up against the pay raise, and to chastise my peers for trying to feather their own beds and for pulling a fast one in the middle of the night. None of the four legislators I’m talking about did that. I’d like to know why. Wouldn’t you?
Hey guys, since you’re on a long summer vacation from your full-time duties as a legislator, maybe you’ll have time to come do a “Behind the Headlines” show on HSTV with me and that other guy who produces “nothing but ill will and cynicism.” All we can do is ask questions; we can’t control your answers. Do you have “the brass”? I doubt it.