The Chameleon of Politics and Dirty Political Games

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It is no easy thing in having a different opinion today especially when it comes to politics in Lake Worth. When you have a different opinion, you can be assured that there will be someone out there in cyber-space that will take a crack at your head. People approach me with bits of information and more times than not they say, "Leave my name out of it." They are all afraid of the repercussions they will face by others--their neighbors or even their "friends." It's hard to stand up for what you believe is right. If you don't go with the status quo and the majority that is in power, your opinion is stomped upon and you personally are vilified and told by the local press that you are "ugly," or an "idiot" and a whole lot worse. The goal is to ruin the opponent's character and credibility in any way possible. This is what took place in our past election and it continues to this day.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld said, "We seldom find any person of good sense, except those who share our opinions," and there lies the rub.

A few more quotes:

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions,
~ James Madison

In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own
~  Alexis de Tocqueville

In Lake Worth, and I am rather sure that other communities are not immune, elections have become as dirty as they get. The Internet opened up the nasty anonymous attacks and it made it easy for cowards.  This began here years ago with Lake Worth Talk, an attack web site, and has intensified to where we are today--the anything goes mentality.

What we need are people of honesty and integrity but way too often we end up with a whole lot less--people who only want to win the game. They sacrifice their neighbor or opponent to win with the most vile of statements, usually anonymous, and you can count always on the flaming lie. Once elected, many officials change like a chameleon. They think they know best and the hell with your opinion or anyone else's.

When campaigns twist the truth and create unfounded attacks on a candidate’s personal character, it distorts the process because there is always a percentage of people who will believe the lies. A candidate or his message is sacrificed to meet the needs of those with devious political motives or just those with a difference of opinion. All too often this discourages the quality people we need to represent us. They don't run nor do they even get involved as witnessed by those who attend city commission meetings--so many have dropped out. It can be a degrading experience.  More often than what should be tolerable, this leaves the seats to be filled by some whose lack of regard for honesty and integrity allow them to play degrading political games.

It is time that the Commission investigate and reflect on their Board appointments as some of these people are off the wall and write irresponsibly.

"Truth Matters."