Yesterday, I did a disheartening post about a research study that found ordinary Americans have a near-zero impact on public policy. Instead, government policy is controlled by the monied élite.
Frequent FOTM commenter Seumas proposed that our battle should begin “at the local level, and not try for too big a fish too soon, get the town/city and county governments free of corruption first, including the police departments,” to which I heartily agree. It is at the local level that we truly can effectuate changes.
Below is one encouraging example of voters defeating monied interests.
Cheryl K. Chumley reports for The Washington Times, Aug. 13, 2014, that pro-gun incumbent sheriff David Clarke in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, beat back the anti-gun money of former New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg to win his primary contest for re-election by a handy margin, 52% vs. 48%.
100% of precincts have reported, giving Sheriff Clarke a 4,700 vote lead. But his Bloomberg-backed opponent, Chris Moews, has yet to concede, deciding instead to wait for the count on the 6,000 absentee ballots.
Clarke is a Democrat and is now almost sure to win in November because no Republican is challenging him.
Sheriff Clarke made national headlines with a public service ad in 2013 in which he stated, in part: “I’m Sheriff David Clarke and I want to talk to you about something personal: Your safety. It’s no longer a spectator sport. I need you in the game. But are you ready? With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option. … Consider taking a certified safety course in handling of firearms, so you can defend yourself until we get there. You have a duty to protect yourself and your family. We’re partners now. Can I count on you?”
The sheriff was also a featured speaker at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Indianapolis — during which he harshly criticized Bloomberg’s anti-gun efforts.
The race took on national tones just last week when Bloomberg — who helps head the Mayors Against Illegal Guns group and has taken up a personal crusade to scale back Second Amendment rights — threw in $150,000 to defeat Sheriff Clarke. That amount was more than what Sheriff Clarke and his opponent Moews had spent on their entire campaigns.
Happily, Bloomberg’s efforts to sway voters down the anti-gun path failed.
~Eowyn