‘T’ minus five days

No, we’re not talking about some deadline for raising ‘x’ amount of dollars so that we can brag about it. We’re talking about the number of days until the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District. Libertarian Bill Slantz and I will be there. As of now, there will be an empty chair reserved for Republican Ann Wagner. Her staff is saying that the date (Wed., Oct. 22) is inconvenient for her, but they are not suggesting alternative dates.

Even if it is good political strategy on her part to avoid the League and the candidates who are challenging her, it is a terrible disservice to the citizens of the 2nd District. Stonewalling is not just a Republican practice, unfortunately too many Democrats do the same. In either case, it is insulting to voters and one of the reasons why so many people simply and justifiably do not trust politicians.

In the 2nd District, we still have time to be a laboratory for democracy. If Ms. Wagner is pro-active about a candidate forum, the citizens will have the benefit of hearing three distinct and very different political points of view: conservative, libertarian, and progressive. At least two candidates are spending a minimal amount of money and feel comfortable with that kind of politics. The media has begun to pick up on the story, although they may be doing too much of a Missouri Waltz about it and won’t catch up with the real meaning of this contest. But it’s not too late. Whether Ms. Wagner agrees to a LWV forum or not, it’s a big story. I hope you will tell others about it.

Tags: Forumnews