“The Long Beach Dairy and Creamery Historic Landmark and several Neighborhood Associations will be having Long Beach a State and Federal Candidate Brunch, Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 9:30am to 2:30pm,” says the press release. “[…] This is a casual event where the media and community get an opportunity to meet the candidates.”
The list of candidates that have committed to being there includes Peter Mathews, Sanford Kahn, Steve Kuykendall, Councilmember Gary DeLong, Sen. Alan Lowenthal, Martha Gibson, Isadore Hall, Rep. Janice Hahn, and Rep. Laura Richardson, as well as at least a representative from Rep. Bonnie Lowenthal’s office. (According to the event press release, Warren Furutani is a maybe, while Ricardo Lara has been unresponsive to the invitation.)
I hope everyone — particularly those feeling frustrated or disenfranchised by the current political scene — understands what an opportunity this is. It’s not just free eats (although, hey, free eats!), but it’s a chance to get in the face of elected officials and candidates for office in an uncontrolled, unprogrammed environment. Want to speak your mind? Here’s your chance. Hate it when a politician gives a vague or evasive answer? You can stop him or her from doing so mid-sentence. In short, this is very possibly the best chance you will ever get to make these people speak directly to you and directly to your issue(s). You’d like to hear them discuss marijuana legalization, the Buffett rule, the breakwater, preservationism, pensions, unions, ethics? Now’s your chance to ask. This is not a candidate forum; this is not filling out a 3″ x 5″ card and hoping the moderator deems your question worthy of being asked. This is you and the politician, with nothing between you except for a cup of coffee and a croissant.
I’m not suggesting that anyone be uncivil, but civility doesn’t mean giving someone carte blanche to spout euphemism and bunkum. One of the tactics by which many politicians find success is controlling the debate — how well they deflect tough question, how they manage to get the electorate to accept generality and feel-good talk in place of just answering the damn question.
And it drives me crazy. It’s part of what drove me to be a third-party voter: because on the whole the Democrats and Republicans so often seem more interested in a besting each other or preserving the status quo than in making the sometimes politically risky choices that may be necessary to make this a better country.
You can hardly blame them. We the People perpetuate the practice by playing their game. In practice just about every election in this country comes down to a contest between a Democrat and a Republican — and even if both are as transparently disingenuous or befuddled as Long Beach is surfless, we end up giving one of them the job.
Well, today I’m not so much as advocating for more of us to go third party (though I’m always in favor of that) as I am reminding you of a chance you’ve got to politely pin these individuals down.
And after all, every election really is about — or should be about — individuals, not party affiliation. On Saturday you’re going to get face time with these individuals — a few of whom will be your elected officials almost before you know it — if only you are engaged enough to take the opportunity.
So head on out to the Historic Long Beach Dairy on Saturday and take the pulse of these would-be leaders whose salaries you’ll be paying. Look them in the eye and fire away. They want something from you — your vote — so make them put up or shut up. Let them know how you feel and what you want. Make them play your game, for a change.
And hey, free eats!
The candidate brunch at the Historic Long Beach Dairy and Creamery (167 E. South Street, Long Beach, CA 90805) runs from 9:30am to 2:30pm. For more information — including what time specific candidates are scheduled to arrive — call 562.428.7710. Open to the public. Free admission (“Donations accepted to defray costs”).