Petty Politics

I've walked 8 miles in the past two days, both to get a decent cup of coffee and to get out into the warmer air and reassure myself that I am ambulatory.

Walking is great for pondering. Today I pondered what questions I would pose to town candidates at the election forum next week. I came up with two:

1) For the incumbents: Have you ever lied to your constituents in the course of your official duties; and for everybody: Do you think there are circumstances under which lying to your constituents is justified?

2) For the incumbents: Have you ever used your position as a town officer to try to force a wrong decision (by, say, the Planning Board of Appeals) on behalf of yourself, or your family, friends or neighbors? and for everyone: Do you consider such use of power to be ethical under any circumstances, and if not, will you take a pledge to avoid such conduct if you are elected?

My husband just snorted when I shared these with him. "You think anyone's going to answer those questions truthfully?"

I said, "Well, if I can follow up with another question, like, 'Did you pressure the Code Enforcement Officer to ignore so-and-so's noncompliance?' Only, of course, if I know the answer to that question is 'yes.' "

He rolled his eyes.

I doubt if I'd have the nerve to stand up and ask these questions myself, for the simple reason that this is a small town and I'm afraid of a backlash. My taxes would probably go up, the Code Enforcement Officer would probably be sent to inspect my house and told to not come back with fewer than 135 violations, and the town snowplowers would likely be ordered to bury the end of my driveway -- preferably, with me under the snow.

It's too bad, but that's small-town politics for you. One hand washes the other; it doesn't stand back and say, "Wow, are you dirty."