Why I refuse to run for office

During a memorial day picnic at our new house, one of our guests asked if I would consider running for Town Supervisor. My reply was quick and to the point: “No Way!” First, I really enjoy the job I currently have and do not need any additional grief in my life. I often take pot shots at politicians using such words and phrases as “weenies” when referring to some of my friends in office. If I actually worked alongside these people, I would still refer them as weenies, when the term applied.

The most important reason I do not run for office has nothing to do with either time, nor dedication to serve. The truth is you simply do not want to hear the truth. I would not be a politician speaking with ‘forked tongue’. I would not simply tell you what you want to hear about taxes smaller government, etc.

I would actually work hard to reduce government, even on the local levels. You, the voters, would probably feel the pinch somewhere down the line and begin crying you wanted less government, as long as it did not affect you.

Case in point. Last week I attacked local and state legislators for bending over backwards for a group of farmers crying foul due to inclement growing conditions. The farmers demanded some of their crops be called a disaster and sought government aid in grants and no/low interest loans to make up for any potential losses.

On Thursday night, while at the Republican Chairman’s Club Dinner, current Republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle addressed the Republican faithful about her attempts at making government smaller and making people less dependent on handouts. In the same breath she spoke about how she worked to get local farmers aid for crop losses. Woman speaks with forked tongue! You simply cannot have it both ways. The convenience of satisfying some of your constituents at the cost of all is just plain stupid and a sell-out, but that is what it takes to get elected/re-elected.

Buerkle said she needs to raise well over a million bucks to finance her campaign to hold on to her two year seat in Congress, but at what cost? I would not allow any welfare system, either the one we are all familiar with, or the one many farmers have suckled on way too long, to bring this country, this county into the state it is in.

The crowd at Thursday’s dinner all applauded every word Buerkle spoke. Later an attendee at the dinner approached me, agreeing with my editorial. He stated he agreed, but reminded me that Buerkle is probably the lesser of all evils in the match. Another attendee, a farmer, said he completely agreed with my stand and said government should get out of agriculture.

Alas, some farmers, local voters, have gone to the tit of government way too much and now count on it as a way of life.

Here is something to gnaw on. We have a story on page 23 about Armyworms and the damage they can do to some crops if not treated. Congresswoman Kathy Hochul (NY26) sought and got the USDA to declare the potential damage a disaster and get the government to hand out. “I am pleased to hear the USDA Farm Services Agency will now allow farmers to file weather-related disaster reports for damage done to crops from armyworms…”
What a bunch of nimrods!

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