[Peace-discuss] Good Job Ricky *Letter to the Editor* News-Gazette

[Jan & Durl Kruse]

Time to challenge Urbana Democrats

Thursday April 24, 2008

We should thank the local Democratic Party leadership for reminding  
voters of the difference between "Democrat" with a big "D" and  
"democrat" with a small "d." Appearing suddenly for the first time  
since citizens started participating in the annual township meetings a  
couple of years ago, officials closed off the legally proscribed  
citizen input before it could begin. We can't have the people  
interfering in their government, one explained.

So regardless of what The News-Gazette says in its editorial, these  
"advisory" referenda make a big difference to someone, in particular  
those in positions of authority who depend on public opinion.

And what was the issue, you may ask, that brought the Democrats out of  
the woodwork? Not the war, or any of the national topics citizens have  
placed on their ballot lately, it is apparently local issues on which  
these "Democrats with a capital 'D'" do not want voters in their  
sandbox.

"IRV," for example, or "preferential voting" threatens the  
"lesser-of-two-evils" trap that keeps so many "Democrats" in office.  
What, after all, would happen to the party if we took away its favorite  
argument: "You have to vote for us, because just look at the  
Republicans"? I say we try it and see.

RICKY BALDWIN

Urbana
  Find this article at:
   
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/opinions/letters/2008/04/24/ 
time_to_challenge_urbana_democrats
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