Saturday, April 18, 2009

Perfect Timing

Mentioning Mr.Woodard got someone's attention. They shared this lovely gem written by the lovely gentleman himself. They didn't include any info so we don't know where it hails from. Looks like it was written for the last election though its message is timely and relevant now. Seems like he too, tried to warn us. As we said before, no one says it better...

Oligarchy In Fort Worth

In 1831, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville toured the United States and wrote Democracy in America.

Democracy is defined as government by the people, especially rule of the majority. In a democracy, the people vote.

In the May 10 Fort Worth bond election that provided $10 million to build bridges over a Trinity Uptown nonexistent ditch, 95 percent of people didn't vote. Ergo, we don't have a democracy in Fort Worth; we have an oligarchy.

Webster's defines oligarchy as government by the few. A modern-day de Tocqueville would surely write that Fort Worth is ruled by a big-money oligarchy using a tried-and-proven winning game plan:

No campaign office, volunteers, billboards or newspaper ads needed. Just collect wads of cash from willing and avid woodchoppers with axes to grind. Prepare a pretty, four-color postcard for an issue or candidate chosen by an arcane club or chamber clique. Adorn the card with power names of respected, influential endorsers. Address cards using a computerized, manicured list of faithful and presumtive voters. Transport postcards to the post office for delivery on election eve.

Viola! Another campaign triumph of the few, by the few and for the few!

Sadly, 95 percent of Fort Worthers are sunshine soliders, couldn't-care-less hedonists. Anything but involved, informed voters.

What happens some day if the 5 percent throw in the towel and join the ranks of the carefree 95 percent and, like Rhett Butler, say, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"?

Rule totalitarianisim!

Don Woodard

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