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June 12, 2006
An open letter to a soon-to-be ex-politician
Dear Judy Mikels,
The voters of Ventura County gave you the sack last Tuesday, after three terms on the Board of Supervisors. You placed third, behind Jim Dantona and Peter Foy, much to your shock and dismay.
The Ventura County Star ran a profile of the soon-to-be ex-politician -- that's you! -- wherein you let us know how you really feel about the election -- and the electorate.
"Between Dantona and the mega-landfill and the absenteeism, and Foy and the immigration issue, they got me, there's no doubt about it."
That's right, "they" got you. They're all out to get you. Your record -- including a common perception that you were hostile to law enforcement and public safety funding -- certainly had nothing to do with the voters deciding to say, "No thank you, we've had quite enough of her."
Judy, I'm going to translate some of your comments, m'kay?
"The public says they don't like dirty campaigning but they somehow always respond to it."
Translation: Stupid voters. They're too emotional, too easily manipulated. And they lie about wanting clean campaigns! Oooh, they make me so mad!
"I've had a good run. I'm very, very proud of my record. I'm proud of my supporters. I'm still supervisor until January. Between now and January, I'll decided what to do when I grow up."
Translation: Sod off. I think I'm doing a great job. Besides, you're stuck with me for another six months. Did I tell the voters to sod off?
"I'm a Gemini. I can't sit still," she said. "I have to keep working."
Translation: Astrology is an accurate predictor of a person's behavior. The stars also foretell the future. It's a scientific fact. Between the Daily Horoscope and my Magic 8-Ball, I'll dominate the Board until my sell-by date arrives.
Hey, Jude, honestly. I can't believe you've lasted as long as you have. What a remarkably graceless way to respond to an electoral defeat.
Whatever happened to issuing a statment something like, "While I'm disappointed that the People have decided my time to represent them has come to end, I'd like to thank the voters for giving me the opportunity to serve them for these many years. I congratulate Mr. Dantona and Mr. Foy, and am confident that -- whatever our differences -- my successor will do his best for the people of the 4th District."
One of your supporters complained to me that low voter turnout played a big role in your defeat. I'm not sure I understand the complaint. Did the voters care? Well, apparently not enough of your supporters cared enough to vote. Too bad you couldn't motivate them.
Low voter turnout is not in and of itself a problem -- why would we want people who aren't informed or don't care to cast a ballot? Unfortunately for you, the voters who did come to the polls had a good idea of what they could expect from you if reelected -- and they weren't buying.
I understand that the ag interests were happy with your representation; I suppose if I were a farmer or rancher, your anti-law enforcement bias might not bother me quite so much.
But the reality is, for all the good you may have done for the ag community, Judy, you forgot the first principles of good government: fight crime, put out fires, maintain the roads. That means funding for cops to catch the crooks, money to prosecute them, simoleans to jail them, and moolah to supervise 'em when they get out.
Judy, you held yourself out to be a friend of cops, DAs and firefighters, but proved to be nothing of the sort. Which might explain why you couldn't win the backing of any public safety groups this time 'round.
But you did get the Star's endorsement.
Ahem.
Thank you, Judy, for not running a better campaign.
Sincerely yours,
Mike
Posted by Mike Lief at June 12, 2006 01:57 AM
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