PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Chris Freind
In a stunning move, even for Pennsylvania politics, Montgomery County Republican Commissioner Jim Matthews has forged an alliance with minority Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel to share power, leaving top vote-getter Bruce Castor the odd man out. Which is all very interesting, considering that the election was last month, and the voters clearly expressed their desire to continue Republican stewardship. Nothing like subverting the will of the people.
In that spirit, an open letter to Commissioner Jim Matthews is in order:
Dear Jim:
First, a non-political question. I know you have a slightly-less famous brother, Chris, but since I keep hearing you referred to as "Traitor Jim", I was wondering if you were related to "Trader Joe"? If so, please tell him that his chocolate patisserie cake is simply marvelous.
You have been in politics for a long time, Jim, and obviously have become afflicted with "political insider" syndrome, which is a nice way of saying that you have absolutely no clue what is right and wrong anymore. It's no longer about issues, if it ever was; rather, you have shown the people of Montgomery County that your priority is the "game". You care more about patronage jobs, awarding contracts to friends, and personal ambition than you do about the welfare of the county.
One of the cardinal rules of politics is that you "never say never". However, in your case, I have to make an exception. By stabbing your Republican running mate in the back and ignoring the will of the people, you have shot yourself in the foot, and will never rise higher than you are. Nobody likes a traitor.
Like so many other "leaders", you still don't understand the ramifications of playing both sides. Eagles' owner Jeff Lurie didn't understand it when he banned food from the new (taxpayer-funded) stadium, and preposterously claimed it was for security reasons, but then recanted. Former State Representative Tom Stish switched parties in 1994 to give the Republicans a one-seat margin---and control--- and promptly lost his next bid for re-election. President Bush the Elder famously said "No new taxes", broke his promise, and got his clock cleaned.
Why? Simple. These people were viewed as hypocrites, who, by definition, are untrustworthy. In each case, they tried to please all, and ended up pleasing none.
You said your new alliance was formed, in part, because Democrats gained such monumentally important offices as prothonotary, register of wills and coroner. Sure, I'll bet everyone believes that line. After all, the people have spoken! Since they demanded partisan action when the coroner is dissecting a corpse, you conveniently obliged them. I may be a little slow on the uptake, but isn't it just a tad contradictory that, in the spirit of "bipartisanship", you respect the people's decision on meaningless positions (as far as running the county), but ignore the fact that you just relegated the top vote getter to the sidelines? The only thing of interest that the coroner will declare over the next four years is the death of your political career.
This isn't about taxes or urban sprawl. It doesn't even relate to your incoherent babblings about a government of inclusion and bipartisanship. This is black and white in its simplest form. It is about right and wrong.
People may not like Bruce Castor or even the Republicans, but most will agree that your decision was one of disrespect and arrogance. Had you come out and said you didn't like the principled nature of Bruce, and had a better shot at continuing the "game" with Hoeffel, people might have at least respected your honesty, if not your actions. But to try to hide your personal ambition with tired rhetoric about "cooperation" is just pathetic.
Who will want to share a foxhole with Jim Matthews? The silence is deafening.
Don't be surprised if Bruce Castor---remember him; he was your running mate--- becomes more powerful than you and Hoeffel combined. The electorate is funny that way. They may not care about greed, corruption or even bad policy, but they don't take well to traitors.
I'm going to give you special treatment, Jim. Next week I am writing a column on the biggest Winners and Losers of 2007. But here's a preview, just for you. You are one of the Losers. Yes, you may have become Chairman of the Board, but in the process you have demonstrated that you don't know the meaning of loyalty and honor. Call me crazy, but I think that's a bad tradeoff.
Steadfast,
Freindly Fire
Audaces fortuna iuvat
