A recent blog post from Eric Johnson raises a thoughtful question regarding the implications of an assertion by the recently appointed Council member Larry Foster. Many of us were distrubed by these false assertions when they were made. But, Mr. Johnson seems to have put his finger on something. Is Mr. Foster "in all due respect" insulting the citizens of Decatur as not being able to self govern? Please read on at Mr. Johnson's essay. We have excerpted some of the most interesting portions here and the full essay is below as it appeared. Thanks Eric for permission to post your ideas here.
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I think Aristotle gives the answer in his discussion of oligarchies(basically the concept claims those who gain power seek to retain that power and are reluctant to relinquish that power, many times at the expense of the greater majority)
I watched/listened to the last two [City Council] meetings and I am still consternated by Council man Foster's insistence that the Aldermanic form of city government is inherently corrupt.
I was appalled the first time he made his all inclusive indictment of a widely used, perfectly legitimate form of city government which has been used to the great benefit of many citizens Nationwide for decades. I thought perhaps he overstated his personal dislike of that system and merely chose his words poorly minus aforethought. My first impression of Councilman Foster's demeanor can be reduced to two words; officious and condescending.
I would ask Mr. Foster which of the more than one hundred and seventy aldermen/women [in downstate IL] are corrupt in his judgement? I would ask Mr. Foster if he is implying that all of those participating in public service using the aldermanic form in their communities are corrupt? If Mr. Foster has information regarding corrupt public servants, it is his legal duty to contact Law Enforcement. I would suggest Illinois Assistant A.G. Bruce Ratcliffe. Mr. Fosters remarks resonate with elitism! Further and continuing, following Mr. Foster's logic to it's illogical conclusion, ( and I hope he will correct me if I misstate the obvious?) should we presume that [if] Decatur [were] to change forms of City government to a form he(Foster) publicly claims is corrupt, should we then assume that Councilman Foster believes those Decatur citizen's who would participate in that system would be corrupt or corruptible by virtue of the nature of the system itself? Should we assume Mr. Foster believes only criminals would seek these positions in city government? Personally, I am offended by Mr. Foster's remarks and his insinuation that there are no qualified persons available for public office/service in our inner-city neighborhoods. On my block alone live a retired librarian ,a school teacher, a small business owner I don't know about anyone else but I find it a direct insult to the residents of Decatur to suggest no qualified persons live in Decatur's varied/diverse core neighborhoods. There are accountants, attorneys, postmen and women, nurses, pastors, librarians, small business owners and many other (more than qualified) civic minded citizen's who would jump at the chance to participate in local government . It simply and honestly comes down to whether our elected/appointed City Officials believe We the People are capable and intelligent enough to choose our form of City government by way of our fundamental right to vote and to participate in the form of government We the People choose......or not? I hope Councilman Foster will take this opportunity to reveal /clarify on which side of that simple equation he stands?
If the critics are sure that there is no broad support for government reform in Decatur, then perhaps they can answer one question: “Why are you opposed to letting voters simply vote?” Ask them! Mr. Daniels poses a very reasonable question that deserves a reasonable answer. For what it's worth, I agree wholeheartedly. I think Aristotle gives the answer in his discussion of oligarchies(basically the concept claims those who gain power seek to retain that power and are reluctant to relinquish that power, many times at the expense of the greater majority) I watched/listened to the last two C.C. meetings and I am still consternated by Council man Foster's insistence that the Aldermanic form of city government is inherently corrupt. I was appalled the first time he made his all inclusive indictment of a widely used, perfectly legitimate form of city government which has been used to the great benefit of many citizens Nationwide for decades. I thought perhaps he overstated his personal dislike of that system and merely chose his words poorly minus aforethought. To my dismay,at the very next meeting he reiterated his indictment of the Aldermanic system in an even more condemning tone. My first impression of Councilman Foster's demeanor can be reduced to two words; officious and condescending. Further and continuing, following Mr. Foster's logic to it's illogical conclusion, ( and I hope he will correct me if I misstate the obvious?) should we presume that were Decatur to change forms of City government to a form he(Foster) publicly claims is corrupt, should we then assume that Councilman Foster believes those Decatur Citizen's who would participate in that system would be corrupt or corruptible by virtue of the nature of the system itself? Should we assume Mr. Foster believes only criminals would seek these positions in city government? Mr. Fosters remarks resonate with elitism! Personally, I am offended by Mr. Foster's remarks and his insinuation that there are no qualified persons available for public office/service in our inner-city neighborhoods. On my block alone live a retired Librarian ,a School Teacher, a Small Business owner I don't know about anyone else but I find it a direct insult to the residents of Decatur to suggest no qualified persons live in Decatur's varied/diverse core neighborhoods. There are Accountants, Attorneys, Postmen, Nurses, Pastors, Librarians, Small Business owners and many other (more than qualified) civic minded citizen's who would jump at the chance to participate in local government . |
I guess I went over capacity? Here is the rest of my comment/question
Not many of them have access to the necessary funding to support a run for a City Council seat...and I have no doubt Mr. Foster is keenly aware of that fact.
Of course, the prevailing elitist philosophy behind these arrogant mistaken accusations / attempts to stereotype are not difficult to decipher.
It simply and honestly comes down to whether our elected/appointed City Officials believe We the People are capable and intelligent enough to choose our form of City government by way of our fundamental right to vote and to participate in the form of government We the People choose......or not?
I hope Councilman Foster will take this opportunity to reveal /clarify on which side of that simple equation he stands?
Mr. Foster, it is incumbent upon you to defend your accusation that the Aldermanic system is inherently corrupt with a show of proof or failing to do so publicly retract your provably false claim.Councilman Foster,what say you?...
Eric K. Johnson
P. S. Shad Edwards stated on two occasions"Let the People vote".
Mr. Daniels asks, Why the opposition to letting the voters simply vote?"
I echo those statements and imagine the three of us are not alone and I would ,at this point in time,hazard a guess that the number of Decatur Citizen's who share the same opinion/ concern is growing by the day!
I demand my right to vote !
It's the American Way !
Eric K. Johnson
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