Candidates, think of what you say to public

If anything demonstrates the provincial nature of our local politics, it is the way the candidates for Spokane Valley City Council are addressing the always delicate topic of campaign contributions.

If this season’s council races were a national campaign, media pundits would be rolling in the aisles with laughter. Recent comments by several candidates are classic examples of evasion, double-speak, or just plain thoughtlessness.

Imagine, for example, if Vice President Dick Cheney, asked by a reporter about a large campaign contribution from an oil company, responded by saying, “They are supporting a person and not a particular stance I’m taking.”

Or what if a Supreme Court nominee, when asked during confirmation hearings why almost half of the donations from his last judicial race were from special interests outside his constituency, answered, “I’m proud of the support I’ve gotten from the community”?

And what if a major female presidential candidate – take your pick – is accused of being in the pocket of the auto industry because her biggest donors are – you guessed it – auto industry executives. She denies it, of course, then adds, with just a dash of hubris, “I’ve been in the auto industry for almost 20 years now; these are people I know.” It sounds even stranger when you realize she doesn’t work in the auto industry.

Can anyone use these comments as evidence of “intelligent design”? Where are rocket scientists when you really need them?

I’d be laughing if I lived in another city.

But since I can’t afford to move, here’s a little advice to our candidates.

First, use your brain.

If you want to appear fair and have a broad appeal, don’t cash every check with your name on it. You may not be able to buy that extra billboard or print another 1,000 glossy fliers to stuff in people’s mailboxes. But you’ll begin to prove to me you can make tough decisions by the way you run your campaign.

Second, use your brain.

If almost half your war chest is from interests outside the city, you have nothing to be proud of. You should be embarrassed. Don’t you think it’s just a teensy bit odd that your friends, a bunch of builders, land owners and Realtors, are throwing piles of cash in your direction simply because “you’re such a nice guy?”

Give me a break; even drug dealers have “friends.”

Third, use your brain.

If you accept campaign contributions from an industry that may be significantly impacted by regulations you will vote on, it is a conflict of interest. Denying that their money will have any influence on your decisions is denying the very power of the office you desire to hold. Didn’t think we’d notice, did you?

Last, use your brain.

When people give you something, they expect something in return – just like Mom and Dad did when they “loaned” you the car for the prom. You were to return it in good shape, on time and full of gas or you’d be grounded for a week. Remember? In the same way, the organizations who give you money will expect a return. It is a debt that will someday come due.

All of the candidates should be able to stand up in public and explain why there are public disclosure laws, and do it with a straight face.

Thankfully, there’s at least one candidate who realizes where tough decisions start; and she said “It’s a hard thing because money’s hard to come by.”

The rest of the candidates can learn something from that refreshing bit of candor.