Reporters who cover politics are, by and large, hypocrites. We complain about establishment figures and good-ol'-boy networks and politicians who wouldn't recognize an original thought if it jammed a lapel pin in their eye. But when election season rolls around, we run like hell from third-party candidates and other outsiders. Mounting a write-in campaign? Write someone who cares.
I'm not defending the practice. Wait, yes, I am going to defend the practice. Because marginal candidates tend to be really aggravating.
Take, for instance, Mahlon Davis Jr., a 29-year-old candidate for the 5th District at-large seat held by Cindy Circo.
Though he didn't collect enough valid signatures to get his name on the ballot, Davis has put some effort into his candidacy. He was out last fall, protesting against the city's red-light cameras. He has also attended candidate forums. He's a young guy trying to get involved, and that's a good thing to see.
Davis supports the elimination of the "e-tax," the 1-percent income tax the city levies on residents and workers. This position sets Davis apart from most candidates running in the city election. No one who's running for mayor, for instance, thinks voters should abolish the tax when it comes up for a vote in April.
The e-tax pumps about $200 million a year into the city's general fund. So how will the city function without the money? One of Davis' ideas is to privatize trash collection. Davis says the city would save $11.1 million.
A couple of points here:
1. Trash collection in Kansas City is already privatized. Partially, anyway. A company called Town & Country Disposal collects the garbage at 60 percent of the city's homes. City crews do the rest.
Asking residents to fend for themselves trashwise isn't crazy. Raytown does it. So does Overland Park.
But Davis isn't talking about government services in these terms. His blog makes it sound as though the city can save $11 million on trash collection merely by unleashing the power of competitive bidding. In fact, the service would have to disappear, and residents would need to make arrangements with private haulers, who don't work for free.
(Davis' belief in the free market is somewhat incoherent, incidentally. He thinks the companies that successfully bid on the right to haul garbage in Kansas City should have to hire the "displaced workers that privatization will create." But if protecting jobs is important, why not keep garbage collection in-house?)
I'm giving Davis a hard time on this point because he and I talked in December, when I wrote about Tracy Ward, a likeminded candidate in the 6th District. When we spoke, Davis mentioned privatizing garbage collection. I drew his attention to the fact that private companies were already hauling off some of Kansas City's Glad bags. He sounded surprised. "I'm going to have to look to into it," he said.
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Are there any successful African countries led by blacks? Why would anyone in their right mind elect a black man to a leadership position? Please don't respond with Obama, he is half white and raised by white people.
It takes 500 valid signatures to get on the ballot. Practically speaking you need around 800 to insure the 500... if a person can't get 800 people to support them how can they govern?
4 everone who is N Kansas City. Mahlon Davis 5th district at large write in candidate will be having a week long online forum for Kansas city residents. We will address the 5 biggest issues in Kansas city next week, you can view the forum at www.mdavis4kc.wordpress.com. We will take residents Q&A at www.twitter.com/mdavis4kc or alpokc32@gmail.com.
Also Troy says if the etax fails we will be paying a trash fee what's the difference?
4 everone who is N Kansas City. Mahlon Davis 5th district at large write in candidate will be having a week long online forum for Kansas city residents. We will address the 5 biggest issues in Kansas city next week, you can view the forum at www.mdavis4kc.wordpress.com. We will take residents Q&A at www.twitter.com/mdavis4kc or alpokc32@gmail.com.
For real answer my davis is holding an online forum a week if you want to judge for yourself and he's taking question here's the info:
4 everone who is N Kansas City. Mahlon Davis 5th district at large write in candidate will be having a week long online forum for Kansas city residents. We will address the 5 biggest issues in Kansas city next week, you can view the forum at www.mdavis4kc.wordpress.com. We will take residents Q&A at www.twitter.com/mdavis4kc or alpokc32@gmail.com.
Here's a link to the Mahlon Davis' blog. I read the response to the Star, which, I think, continues to peddle a something-for-nothing illusion. The blog highlights the fees that Oceanside is receiving but doesn't mention the fact that residents there pay for trash pick-up out of pocket.
http://mdavis4kc.wordpress.com...
So you're not covering a write-in candidate because he is against the e-tax and is for privatizing trash pickup? But if he were a staunch defender of the asinine e-tax then you'd give him in depth coverage, touting how he barely missed the minimum # of valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
GROW UP, Pitch folks.
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