Selfishness clouds the politics of political perception

Selfishness clouds the politics of political perception

By Derek Joy

    And they’re off. . .

    No. Not the thoroughbreds galloping on the race track.

    This is a matter of political candidates heading into the stretch run towards Election Day – Aug. 14.

    Miami Dade County finds the searing hot weather equaled by the sparring of candidates seeking to retain or win public office. 

    Primary Election?  Yes.  Still, candidates for municipal and state offices can win it all by capturing at least 50-percent of the vote’s casts.  Candidates for federal offices are battling a spot on the ballot in the General Election on Nov. 6.

    The biggest municipal prize is Miami Dade County Mayor.

    Incumbent Carlos Gimenez and Commission Chairman Joe Martinez are the frontrunners in a field punctuated with relative unknowns. Gimenez easily outdistanced his challengers in fundraising.

    And he appears comfortably ahead in the polls.

    However, there are a few interesting thoughts that are more than just a passing fancy.

    Gimenez has drawn the ire and angst of some, particularly in the Miami Dade Public Safety Department. The complaints range from a severe reduction in their budget, to layoffs of civilian support staff and the increase cost of insurance without a corresponding pay hike.

    There was also the mention of now having to share in the cost of take home police cars.

    “He (Gimenez) didn’t cut the budget for the fire department.  He gives them everything they want,” said a Miami Dade County Police Officer who requested anonymity for obvious reasons.

    “He’s (Gimenez) nothing but a clown,” said another.

    On the other hand, one member the Miami of the Miami Dade Fire Department indicated layoffs of some civilian personnel has some in the department “against Gimenez.”

    The common thread is that each of those departments, as well as county employees in general, are expected to do more with less.

    Of course, that is pretty much the case throughout America.  Has been since the recession began in Dec. 2007, which is at the crux of the battle for the White House between President Barack Obama and presumptive GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney.

    Now, consider that since winning a Special Election to replace ousted Mayor Carlos Alvarez, some extravagant misuse of funds and equipment was exposed.  Many of the raises for executives managers and administrators were taken back.

    So the question is, has Gimenez acted responsibly or are those complaints a matter of selfishness?