Will Garcetti debate me?
As I mentioned in my weekly recap, last week I sent a proposal to Garcetti’s campaign for three debates in the 13th Council District spread out throughout the district. This would be a great opportunity for each of us to share our views and approaches with voters and respond to their questions. Here is the prepared statement that I read at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2009:
Hi, my name is Gary Slossberg and I’m running for City Council for the 13th District. I come before the Council today to speak to the importance of public debates. Last week, I sent a proposal to my opponent to participate in public debates within our district, so that each of us could inform the voters of our positions on the issues that affect them most. To date, I have yet to receive a response.
As it stands now, if a candidate cannot raise substantial funds for their campaign, they have an incredibly difficult time competing for the attention of voters. This is without regard for the quality of their ideas and without regard for the dedication and work ethic that the candidate would bring to the office.
I find it quite appropriate to raise this issue the same week of that candidates’ fundraising reports are due. What should come as little surprise is that the funds raised by incumbents in most, if not all, of the races dwarfs in comparison the amount raised by their challengers. Unsurprisingly, so often the donors to the incumbents are the same vested special interests from which a government by the people and for the people should strive to protect us, as is the case here with contributions from rich developers and billboards companies.
What is abundantly clear to me is that our City desperately needs campaign finance reform to remove the influence of money out of our government. Second, what is clear to me is the need to mandate that candidates participate in open, public debates. A refusal to debate is an effort to silence opposition and de-legitimize one’s opponent, and it is a sad statement on our City government if to be a legitimate candidate one must be personally wealthy or have a famous last name. More importantly, given the gravity of the issues of the day, it is an offense to the voters to play political games rather than have an open debate between the candidates on how to get us through these tough times.
I am a former teacher, a Violence Prevention Educator, a long-time Neighborhood Council Board Member, and currently an attorney for low-income teen parents. Am I still not a legitimate candidate for office because I am not rich? That is not the type of government that the people of this City deserve.
I encourage everyone to contact Garcetti and ask him why he does not want to debate me. What is it about an open public dialogue that concerns him? I will continue to post updates on the progress of the situation.
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