In praise of the political process




No matter where one stands on the political spectrum, open minds can learn from both the left and the right. We know politicians in the middle also have important things to say.

Democrats, Republicans—and one independent—attended a May 10 candidates forum for state Assembly and U.S. Congress, hosted by the Acorn Newspapers and Cal Lutheran University.

With the June 3 primary only weeks away, Jacqui Irwin, Rob McCoy and Mario de la Piedra for 44th Assembly, and Jeff Gorell, Rafael Dagnesses and Douglas Kmiec for 26th Congress discussed their views on the economy, taxes, immigration, family values and big government versus limited government.

George Bernard Shaw once said of the politician, “He knows nothing and thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.”

But the famous thinker saw the glass half-empty, not half-full.

Politicians like the ones at last week’s forum are to be celebrated, not dissed. They are leaders of our community and they are charged with understanding the intricate workings of public policy while articulating a vision for the future.

A good leader will find the common ground that allows a pluralist society to move forward, not backward. That’s not easy, but we think these candidates are up to the task.

De la Piedra, possible underdog in the Assembly race, stressed the need for more small-business men like himself to enter into the political arena. Thousand Oaks politician Jacqui Irwin demonstrated a strong command of the issues and met the challenges of her opponents head-on.

In the congressional debate, candidate Jeff Gorell proved that politicians shouldn’t necessarily be put in a box.

Gorell, the audience learned, is a Republican who also happens to be pro-choice. Assembly candidate Rob McCoy, a Conejo Valley pastor, leans far to the right on social issues but delighted more than a few when he expressed a willingness to accept his sister’s same- sex choice in marriage. The message from Dagnesses, to his credit, is that big government isn’t always the best government.

The independent Kmiec, a professor from Pepperdine, reminded the audience of what the Founding Fathers had given to Americans upon the signing of the Constitution: “A Republic, if you keep it.”

A fair warning to all, as the challenges of politics are many.

A successful representative democracy must have an informed electorate and leaders who are capable.

Both were on display at last week’s candidates forum.



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