Your vote: a separation of wheat from chaff, jaded junkers from hybrids

By María Eugenia Guerra

What we tried mightily to do in this issue of LareDOS was to present our readers with as much information as possible on the upcoming elections and to attempt through our questions and the candidates' answers -- those who responded -- to allow insight into the substance of the candidates, who they are, how they think, what they say about themselves and each other in their own words.

Is your candidate articulate? Is there mettle in the public pronouncements or are the answers a cheap dazzle of strung together platitudes? Did they answer the questions themselves? (We can tell.)

Much to editor Tom Moore's alarm, we ran those responses as they were written, without benefit of grammatical changes or other edits. In the case of candidates who did not directly offer an answer to our questions but instead chose to self-promote, we did some whacking in the interest of saving valuable space.

As you read through their answers and separate for yourself the jaded junkers from the hybrids, commit yourself to vote on March 9. Who you choose from this roster of candidates will be entrusted to judiciously spend the tax dollars you've poured into the public coffers, tax dollars you earned.

If you think it's time for a change, your vote is vital to that change. If you think the incumbent is doing a great job, he won't stay there without you.

Your vote is sacred. Make your own good choices.

Laredo , shall we set democracy in motion or reap the bitter fruit of our apathy?

Every vote counts!

By Paul de la Peña-Franceschi

In classical Greek times, over 2,000 years ago, there were two words that create the English word “democracy.” The Greek demos means people, and the word kratos means power or authority. So the framers of the United States committed themselves to these ideals in such great works as the Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But to say today in Laredo that the power of the democracy is still vested in the people could be an overstatement. On March 9 Laredo voters will once again have the choice to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedom to elect, or un-elect, those best or least qualified to carry out the work of government for the greater good, not to mention choose a candidate for the U.S. Presidency.

Recently, I served as a panelist for the LULAC Council #12 debates. For those who do not know, LULAC stands for the League of United Latin American Citizens, a non-partisan Hispanic organization. One of LULAC's goals is to promote democracy through dialogue and the exchange of ideas through mutual respect and cooperation.

The first of the LULAC debates began with the much-anticipated Sheriff's race, followed by the judge's race for the 406 th District Court, and most recently the Commissioner's Court race for Precinct 3.

In all of my queries, I met with judges, lawyers, policemen and policewomen, deputy sheriffs, private security guards, investigators, educators, merchants, businessmen and businesswomen, family members, and students. Each group offered different insight, and each had different views on all of the candidates.

Some Laredoans at those debates were concerned with the amount of drugs and violence perpetually evident throughout the community, both in the city and the county. It is common knowledge that the drug problem in this community is not being reduced at all. Another concern was the lack of communication and cooperation between City and County officials, who in these times of unprecedented growth could cooperate for the greater good. Corruption was a common point of discussion as well, as citizens expressed to me their views about access by prisoners to drugs in the County Jail , and the lack of concern in the minds of most voters as they prepare to vote for their candidates.

Hearing these concerns so well voiced, why do I still think Laredo voters are apathetic?

Some will vote their conscience. Some will not vote at all. And some will vote as they were told. It's no secret that in areas like Río Bravo and El Cenizo, citizens have been bullied about which signs are most politically correct and expedient to display on their property.

Now and again surfaces a good and well-meaning candidate who for the moment inspires the thought that the Partido Viejo could really be dead, but that good thought is shot down with the realization that the machine of repression and retribution did not die, it just sent its kids to law school. Partido in full or partido in part, there are certain political “ cliquas ” that remain to be broken.

Other issues raised during the debates surrounded the waste of tax payer money on travel, gifts, and high-priced dinners in exchange for favorable outcomes.

The LULAC #12 debates, as well as those offered by Kiwanis and local TV stations, have provided a fair and open forum for making an educated choice for who is best qualified to lead, to make important decisions about the future of this region, and to judiciously spend your tax dollars.

The next step in the democratic process is up to you. On March 9 vote in the Democratic and Republican Primary. In May, vote in the city elections, and next November help shape the future of this great country.