Jackson County Commissioner David Dotterer said organizations' proclamations are meaningless.
Oh, yeah?
Dotterer's actual words sent to a constituent were these:
"I long ago learned to not pay attention to resolutions such as this. While I know of the resolution, I have not even read it. Resolutions accomplish nothing, they just make the people who passionately hold that particular position feel better." Dave Dotterer
That is his justification for failing to speak out against the local Republican Party's resolution rejecting the 2020 presidential election. Most local Republican leaders, including candidates, are joining him in keeping mum. Their silence lends credibility to the GOP proclamation. After all, if the Republican county commissioners don't disagree, and the Republican mayor of Medford doesn't disagree, it must not be very objectionable. Maybe it is justification for overturning an election. Or painting "Vote don't work-- Next time bullets" on the parking lot of the Jackson County Elections office.
Dotterer needs to come up with a better reason for shirking his duty. So do the other Republican candidates. They each take proclamations seriously. After all, they themselves authorize and sign them! Some proclamations are ceremonial. Some announce policy on issues of significance. Some make requests of the governor and legislature. The county posts them. Examples:
March 23, 2022: Proclaiming a Local Disaster and a request of the Governor to Declare a State Drought Emergency for Jackson County.
May 7, 2021: Proclaiming Jackson County's Opposition to Requirements to Verify the Vaccination Status of an Individual
January 30, 1999: Proclaiming Opposition to Senate Bill 1532 Which Increases the Oregon Minimum Wage.
January 30, 1999: Proclaiming Opposition to Background Checks for the Purchase of Firearms.
Like the GOP's resolution. the County's proclamations are formatted with a series of "Whereas" clauses, and a statement in conclusion. They culminate like this:
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| Signed by the three current commissioners |
Republican Party leaders forced the hand of its candidates. Inaction has consequence. My original post on this issue had a subtitle: "This is how Republicans lose elections." Republican candidates who won't level with their Trump-blinded party activists end up looking blinded themselves. They appear to be in agreement. Or afraid. Or manipulative and dishonest.
They get the Trump scent all over themselves. A majority of people are sick and tired of Trump and his whining about the 2020 election.
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5 comments:
Not long ago, the United States elected its first African American president. Republicans and White Nationalists were not happy, so they joined forces and unleashed the politics of anger. The result was Trump, a president best remembered for the number and magnitude of his lies.
Trump remains the GOP’s standard bearer and his cult of angry White Nationalists remain its base. Without them, Republicans wouldn’t have a chance, so of course they don’t want to alienate their base by suddenly becoming honest and honorable.
A very well written piece and the comments section is filled with the sound of crickets. Hmmmmm
No comments because what else is there to say about Republicans? It’s shocking, as they were the rah rah party. Proud of democracy and all. Now what are they? That’s Peter’s point. What are they? I’m not sure.
Integrity means doing what you say you are going to do, or stand for, and being true to your word. Words matter. It is perhaps not surprising that a politician would say anything to not take a principled stand. The commissioner is apparently without integrity.
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