tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532215181662264487.post5592413521708429106..comments2023-10-31T08:43:03.610-07:00Comments on OrlandParker: Candidate Gerald Maher comes out swingingRay Hananiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268228482144027190noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-532215181662264487.post-22064217937687186272009-03-15T19:29:00.000-07:002009-03-15T19:29:00.000-07:00It is easy to think that the amount of money a can...It is easy to think that the amount of money a candidate can raise determines their viability. This idea is really a sad reflection on what Elections in the United States have degenerated into.<BR/><BR/>The premise that the most money wins is not historically accurate. If this were the only measure of a candidate, or even an important measurement of a candidate, then Jim Oberweis would be a congressman, Mit Romney would have been the Republican Nominee in the last Presidential race, Steve Forbes would have been President at least once, and Michael Sessions, a 19 year old high school senior using a write in campaign, would never have won the 2005 mayoral race in Hillsdale, Michigan against the incumbent. <BR/><BR/>In an election with no issues, the incumbent usually wins. Why? Because no issues means the incumbent is probably doing a good job, and the voters are comfortable.<BR/><BR/>However, this election is different. There are a number of very serious issues, including the abuse of a TIF District, an improper use of Eminent Domain, excessive Debt and Debt Financing, questionable budgets (despite the touted Awards), and an insensitivity to businesses and jobs that don’t fit into someone’s “vision”. The current national economic climate is not the cause of any of these issues. In fact, the current economic climate has probably helped to put a spotlight on these issues, otherwise, the Mayor and the Board might still be “merrily” sailing along, bullying businesses and piling up debt at the taxpayers’ expense with no one being the wiser.<BR/><BR/>Elections still come down to ideas and issues and what the voters are thinking for those few minutes when they are actually voting. We have an optimistic view of the electorate, and we believe that especially here in Orland Park, voters are free thinking and capable of making informed decisions based on more than how big someone’s war chest is or how big or how many “yard signs” they have. This election will be won at the kitchen table, the break room, the water cooler and any other place where people get together. <BR/><BR/>It is true that the incumbents in this race have a lot of money to spend. Some might say that makes them good candidates. Others would say a lot of special interests stand to lose a lot of Orland Park tax dollars if the incumbents aren’t re-elected. It really doesn’t matter. <BR/><BR/>Orland Park needs a change in leadership. The Concerned Citizens of Orland Park and the CCOP party candidates, lead by Gerald F. Maher for Mayor, are putting these issues in front of the voters (literally in person as well as in their mailbox). <BR/><BR/>Some have commented that this election really breaks down to Republicans vs Democrats. While it is true that Gerald F. Maher is a lifelong Republican and that the incumbent Mayor is a Democratic Chairman, what Orland Park really needs now is less “business as usual” and more independent thinking. The CCOP party candidates; Gerald F. Maher, Patrice Pykett, Kenneth Wzorek, Kenneth Houston and Marian Klemme offer a new, fresh alternative for the future of Orland Park.<BR/>www.CCOP.usCCOP.ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975776918096886675noreply@blogger.com