“The Board has been elected to do the work of the people.”
When I read this statement about the School Board, it stopped me cold. I had to pinch myself. I read it again, slowly.
Wow.
I have to fundamentally disagree.
Is this what United Parents of Culver City stands for? It shows this group is about power, influence and making elected officials toe the line and do their bidding.
Core Belief or Freudian Slip?
Was this a Freudian slip? I don’t think so. I think it shows one of their basic organizational precepts. I am sure this piece had to be reviewed numerous times, screened and vetted by many set of eyes.
Basic Refresher Course
Members of the UPCC's Political Action Committee need to take a refresher course in government. Our country’s Founding Fathers chose for us to have a representative form of government. It means we elect community members to represent us, our interests, in a legislative body, not just “… to do the work of the people.”
People Not Always Right
Here is an example of politicians “doing the work of the people.” From the Civil War to the early 1960s, Southern segregationists elected politicians like George Wallace, Lester Maddox and Strom Thurmond “to do the work of the people.” They did.
The work of the people is not always best.
Sometimes it takes a strongly principled elected official to stand up and say no.
Whose People?
Doing the work of the people, begs the question, which people? Only their people?
Is the UPCC trying to be just another larger, but more highly organized group of like-minded people, brought together to influence District and Board policy to their own liking.
Such Promise
That is one reason I was hesitant to sign up with them a year ago when they were organizing. I did, and now I see my doubts were right. The UPCC has turned out to be like the other parent organizations of the past, power hungry.
This is sad because when it started, UPCC’s slogan held so much promise.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
