It applies to me but not to thee
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Lauri Anne Jacobs
In every corner of the world, there is a ruling class that rules over the people. It is different in each country, but that basic principle still applies. In America, it starts at the federal level and goes all the way down to the local level. We have elected officials to represent the best interests of the people he or she represents. They have access to power that the common citizens do not have. One example of that is the distribution and usage of public funds, a.k.a., the taxpayers’ money.
Often the ruling class does things to serve special interest groups, or what would benefit them and their cronies. I was reminded of this last week as June 4 was the anniversary of Marvin Heemeyer and his rampage through Granby Colorado with his killdozer. He owned a muffler shop, and the city council approved a concrete plant across the street. He offered to build an access road to his shop himself but was denied. This severely damaged his business. The construction cut him off from city sewage and the city fined him. All of this led up to his rampage with him taking his own life at the end.
When a system denies people peaceful ways to be heard, when voices are blocked at the ballot, and rigged rules protect the ruling class, frustration builds.
There is a mentality of the ruling class of it applies to thee but not to me. Congress will pass laws that they will exempt themselves from. This includes laws related to whistleblower protections, health and safety regulations, and employment standards among others. I was taught what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I still firmly believe in that. The mentality of kings and peasants is still alive today as they sit in their governmental ivory towers looking down expecting the peasants to obey and comply to the laws they are exempt from.
Even the local level is not exempt from this cronyism. There has always been the joke about I have some swamp land I want to sell you, for which in our county it went from a joke to reality, and the beat goes on. This list of special interest could become very long of those benefiting from their access to those who are in charge of the distribution of the public funds. This goes back to the ruling class doing things to serve a special interest group.
What is the answer to this corruption? Our founding fathers set up our electoral system so that if those who are put in office violate their oath they can be fired by the same voters who hired them. It’s time for the people to make those who represent them give account of their representation. It is up to the citizenry to keep themselves informed about the actions of those whom they elected. The saying that is attributed to Thomas Jefferson is “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” Don’t complain, go vote. When in an election only about a third of the registered voters vote, this is the kind of government you get.
