After reading The Man working to turn Clatsop County Red, I’ll admit I was more surprised than I had a right to be.
We hold diverse views here, and I’m not surprised that many would be swayed conservative from time to time.
What shocked me was that even here, there is outside interest from hundreds of miles away working to influence our community. Coeur d’Alene is far from here. The article indicated that this PAC, so far removed from us, aided several local politicians.
How can we trust any of these leaders?
I’m not naive, I know how politics works in this country. I had hoped there would be a degree of integrity the closer you got to home. The modicum of respect I had for a few of the people identified only vanished by the cynicism of their actions.
I know there are monied interests here. If timber, fishing, or tourism have their influence, I understand that. But we should never be a vassal to them or to an exterior interest.
My hope would be that our candidates raise their campaigns locally, and trust their constituents to make the right decision, rather than accept outside funds to juice their arguments.
But I suppose if everyone is doing it, it’s OK?
Facta Non Verba – The deeds of our leader will always outweigh their words.