In a perfect world, the people would have no idea who their leaders are and what they stand for. They would have no information on which to base their votes. Voting itself would be rendered moot, since what would normally be the most controversial candidate would run unopposed. Thomas More wrote of his perfect world as “Utopia” meaning nowhere. The perfect world I described is somewhere closer – Menomonee Falls.
I’m happy to share this report from the Journal Sentinel, democracy has been rendered impotent in Menomonee Falls. There is very little political campaigning at all. Some candidates are even eschewing door-to-door campaigning. Very little fundraising and very little campaign spending. There’s so little campaigning Trustee Jim Jeskewitz isn’t even facing an opponent.
Of course, happiness of this sort tends to be one-sided. Taxpayers will get screwed. Public meetings will be at the whim of the not-so-public officials, and the public gravy train will grow larger. After awhile unaccountable public officials will pick up the accoutrements of their status and taxes will go up.
But hey, at least nobody will call each other names. Such a happy place, a veritable paradise of campaign finance reform.
