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Investigate all politicians
After considering the amount of dishonesty in government at all levels, the latest one being a D.C. Democrat councilmember, I have a plan.
The 50 governors, except those currently under indictment, will select 1,000 of the 10,000 present FBI special agents and form a task force to investigate every politician in office and every candidate running for office. “Every” meaning city council member up in all states; not just their own. By “investigate” I mean bore into every aspect of the person’s business, political and public life. The results of this vetting would be made public and sent to the 50 governors for action. There, based on a 60% majority a politician would continue in office or be impeached. A candidate would continue on or be prevented from being on the ballot. A case for this prevention could be made for this under the 14th constitutional Amendment.
Just think of the benefits. There would be an increase in public confidence. Honest citizens could run for office without fear of infecting their reputation with political slime and muck.
Actions benefiting all Americans rather than special interest groups would be the norm. More intelligent, educated, honest and experienced candidates would be available. Existing dishonesty would be weeded out and punished. Worth a try or pie in the sky?
Ned Sheats
Mission
Contributions, compensation
November elections are soon approaching, and we should start evaluating our candidates and issues.
In McAllen, Ground Game has prevailed, and a proposed charter amendment will be up for a vote in November to lower campaign contributions to $500, no matter what position a candidate is running for. This amount has been dropped from the previous limit of $10,000 per person for the mayor and $5,000 per person for the City Commission.
In Edinburg, the mayoral candidate is amassing a campaign chest of nearly $182,000, which is in stark contrast to mayor/council actual salary being zero in compensation, according to the City Charter.
To the credit of the city of Edinburg, it has posted its current council’s campaign finance reports on its website and all the reports show amounts equivalent to what some of our residents make yearly for their take-home pay.
So, why is there a discrepancy between the actual compensation earned in an elected position (zero $) versus what is raised in campaign contributions and spent by the candidates to get elected to those positions?
Is there a double standard in how citizens view career versus government or community service? Do campaign contributions and especially those contributions of maximum amounts indirectly or directly skew the outcomes of council decisions on the city’s growth in construction and the development of its roads?
Why are City Council officials who are working full-time jobs in their elected positions not compensated for their knowledge and performance to ensure that there is equality and equity for all city residents in the present and future?
Diane Teter
Edinburg
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