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Opinion
Well, it's that time again - election time in good ole Virginia
Beach. Time to get out your purses and wallets and dig deep for
political contributions. They'll all be around to put the touch on you
to be sure. Only this time do a little checking, and take a very good
look at the candidate, especially if he or she is an incumbent. Or
anyone who has ties to an incumbent.
Look for connections between the special interest groups that are being
served well by the current city council, and the newcomers that want
their 15 minutes of fame, most of which will come at taxpayer's expense.
Be highly suspect of those who will be spending $100,000 or more for a
job that only pays $18,000 per year. And be especially wary of those who
say they will do the job for no pay. They will get paid all right, but
in ways never revealed to the uninformed voters who might elect them.
Those of you in our community who still have your integrity intact, may
want to consider something that has worked well for the Amish when
considering those currently on council, those leaving council, and those
seeking a seat on council with ties to those of ill repute leaving
council . Shunning.
Shunning has been a Amish tradition. Those who break their baptism vows
of obedience to God are shunned by the Old Order Amish.
"Belonging" is important and shunning is meant to be
redemptive. It is not an attempt to harm or ruin the individual and in
most cases it does bring that member back into the fellowship again.
Something that has worked so well for the Amish could also work well for
the rest of us.
If you find yourself in the position of feeling betrayed by an elected
official's actions, shunning may be the best answer to get their
attention.
If you have voted in a referendum and were on the winning side and your
favorite council member voted against the results, it's time to shun.
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If you find your least favorite
council member making big bucks from his or her insider council position
contacts, it's time to shun. If you feel the integrity of an elected office has been compromised
by the individual holding that office, it's time to shun.
If this sounds extreme, consider the Amish attitude toward loved ones.
The families of a shunned member are expected to also shun them.
Families shun the person by not eating at the same table with them.
In a recent article by Bill O'Reilly that appeared in Townhall.com, he
suggests that no one in America should talk to Ken Lay of the Enron
scandal. He says, "When Kenneth Lay walks by, we should all avoid
his eyes." O'Reilly continues his solution to the betrayal.
"If he (Lay) says anything to us, we should say: "I'm
exercising my Fifth Amendment constitutional right to be silent, Mr.
Lay. I don't want to incriminate myself by talking to the likes of
you."
Bill O'Reilly believes that decent Americans should use their power to
begin isolating the bad guys. He believes we can use our First Amendment
rights to criticize those who damage our society, and we can use our
Fifth Amendment rights to avoid talking directly to them.
Public pressure can be a powerful tool in dealing with elected
politicians, especially when they compromise the integrity of an elected
office.
Contemptible elected officials and those they are supporting for selfish
reasons are in the same gunny sack as dope dealers, child abusers, wife
beaters and sex perverts. They deserve and should be shunned.
To shun or not to shun, that is the question that should be on the mind
of everyone associated with this upcoming May 7 election. When you reach
into your pocket to give, give it a second thought. Your personal
integrity may be at stake.
It's a matter of trust.
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