How do you deal with crazy in local politics

[Anonymous]

This isn’t in dc, but there seems to be a kind of mafia-like presence in our municipality headed by one particular person. This person uses lies, manipulation, covert agreements, sabotage, spread misinformation, and verbal intimidation to get more influence and control. They no longer hold an elected government seat but continues to work behind the scenes as a puppeteer. To me it seems obvious what they are doing but perhaps it’s because I follow things more closely than the average citizen. But I’m disappointed to learn that they seem to continue their influence, and have gained legitimacy by starting various non-profit organizations, that on the surface, seem to have a good vision and mission.

There is so much dysfunctional behavior though that comes out when they do not get their way. The way they seem to operate is the antithesis to democracy. They do what they want, and if you don’t support it, they make you pay one way or another.

It’s permeating at all different levels because they have got their hands in everything. They cause so much confusion and are wearing out hard working staff and elected officials who are trying to do their jobs, because they have to constantly fight their attacks and fight misinformation.

They are well organized, well branded, and well-funded through public donations from well meaning citizens, and they are lawyered up. Most citizens have no idea and they end up donating to them because they represent a good cause.

How do you deal with this kind of thing??

[Anonymous]

Is there a local news organization willing to dig into it?

Or local Twitter “investigators”?

[Anonymous]

Or the local opposing political party?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or the local opposing political party?

I think everyone is afraid to talk in fear of repercussions. They have a lawyer and they are connected and as I said, have their hands on everything. And frankly, the person who leads is a bully and is kind of scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t in dc, but there seems to be a kind of mafia-like presence in our municipality headed by one particular person. This person uses lies, manipulation, covert agreements, sabotage, spread misinformation, and verbal intimidation to get more influence and control. They no longer hold an elected government seat but continues to work behind the scenes as a puppeteer. To me it seems obvious what they are doing but perhaps it’s because I follow things more closely than the average citizen. But I’m disappointed to learn that they seem to continue their influence, and have gained legitimacy by starting various non-profit organizations, that on the surface, seem to have a good vision and mission.

There is so much dysfunctional behavior though that comes out when they do not get their way. The way they seem to operate is the antithesis to democracy. They do what they want, and if you don’t support it, they make you pay one way or another.

It’s permeating at all different levels because they have got their hands in everything. They cause so much confusion and are wearing out hard working staff and elected officials who are trying to do their jobs, because they have to constantly fight their attacks and fight misinformation.

They are well organized, well branded, and well-funded through public donations from well meaning citizens, and they are lawyered up. Most citizens have no idea and they end up donating to them because they represent a good cause.

How do you deal with this kind of thing??

I speak from experience.

You call them out, each and every time. You collect facts, find citations, and share data. And you respond to them each and every time. They need to learn that when their head pops up from beneath the bridge, it's going to get whacked.

It is unpleasant work. But eventually it pays off.

[Anonymous]

What you describe is quite common in the politic scene whether local, state, or national level.
Now you understand why folks have a love 'em or hate 'em mentality when it comes to campaigns and election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t in dc, but there seems to be a kind of mafia-like presence in our municipality headed by one particular person. This person uses lies, manipulation, covert agreements, sabotage, spread misinformation, and verbal intimidation to get more influence and control. They no longer hold an elected government seat but continues to work behind the scenes as a puppeteer. To me it seems obvious what they are doing but perhaps it’s because I follow things more closely than the average citizen. But I’m disappointed to learn that they seem to continue their influence, and have gained legitimacy by starting various non-profit organizations, that on the surface, seem to have a good vision and mission.

There is so much dysfunctional behavior though that comes out when they do not get their way. The way they seem to operate is the antithesis to democracy. They do what they want, and if you don’t support it, they make you pay one way or another.

It’s permeating at all different levels because they have got their hands in everything. They cause so much confusion and are wearing out hard working staff and elected officials who are trying to do their jobs, because they have to constantly fight their attacks and fight misinformation.

They are well organized, well branded, and well-funded through public donations from well meaning citizens, and they are lawyered up. Most citizens have no idea and they end up donating to them because they represent a good cause.

How do you deal with this kind of thing??

I speak from experience.

You call them out, each and every time. You collect facts, find citations, and share data. And you respond to them each and every time. They need to learn that when their head pops up from beneath the bridge, it's going to get whacked.

It is unpleasant work. But eventually it pays off.

This rarely works ^^

These people excell in counter points, rebuking, deflecting, and otherwise controlling the narrative.
Their accomplishments and charisma (all which are far-reaching)outweigh any negative stories or dirt you've dug up.
It's a waste of time and energy for the commoner to take on such a beast. You'll only end up looking foolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t in dc, but there seems to be a kind of mafia-like presence in our municipality headed by one particular person. This person uses lies, manipulation, covert agreements, sabotage, spread misinformation, and verbal intimidation to get more influence and control. They no longer hold an elected government seat but continues to work behind the scenes as a puppeteer. To me it seems obvious what they are doing but perhaps it’s because I follow things more closely than the average citizen. But I’m disappointed to learn that they seem to continue their influence, and have gained legitimacy by starting various non-profit organizations, that on the surface, seem to have a good vision and mission.

There is so much dysfunctional behavior though that comes out when they do not get their way. The way they seem to operate is the antithesis to democracy. They do what they want, and if you don’t support it, they make you pay one way or another.

It’s permeating at all different levels because they have got their hands in everything. They cause so much confusion and are wearing out hard working staff and elected officials who are trying to do their jobs, because they have to constantly fight their attacks and fight misinformation.

They are well organized, well branded, and well-funded through public donations from well meaning citizens, and they are lawyered up. Most citizens have no idea and they end up donating to them because they represent a good cause.

How do you deal with this kind of thing??

I speak from experience.

You call them out, each and every time. You collect facts, find citations, and share data. And you respond to them each and every time. They need to learn that when their head pops up from beneath the bridge, it's going to get whacked.

It is unpleasant work. But eventually it pays off.

This rarely works ^^

These people excell in counter points, rebuking, deflecting, and otherwise controlling the narrative.
Their accomplishments and charisma (all which are far-reaching)outweigh any negative stories or dirt you've dug up.
It's a waste of time and energy for the commoner to take on such a beast. You'll only end up looking foolish.

Yes, in my experience, I've never seen this work either. They take. up all the air in the room, start blasting off their same nonsensical story, and just leave everyone's heads spinning. And the confounding thing is that somehow, they just keep repeating the same lies even though they've been rebuked and proven wrong over and over again. They just do it louder and then they get some other new people to repeat the same crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you describe is quite common in the politic scene whether local, state, or national level.
Now you understand why folks have a love 'em or hate 'em mentality when it comes to campaigns and election.

This. I think this is all politics. Anyone that’s a lifelong politician is basically this.

Locally I imagine is easier to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you describe is quite common in the politic scene whether local, state, or national level.
Now you understand why folks have a love 'em or hate 'em mentality when it comes to campaigns and election.

This. I think this is all politics. Anyone that’s a lifelong politician is basically this.

Locally I imagine is easier to do.

I'm not sure if I'm comforted by the fact that this is common or if I'm demoralized. Jeez. No wonder it's so hard to find decent people in politics. The crap you have to deal with....

[Anonymous]

It's way worse now with social media. They perform to their base. There is no substance. At all.

[Anonymous]

I think the only thing that really works is exposing something extremely dirty and extremely embarrassing. Each one of these narcissists has their own limit, but it has to be sufficiently awful it turns off most normal people from supporting them. After that you just let them die a slow death of silence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only thing that really works is exposing something extremely dirty and extremely embarrassing. Each one of these narcissists has their own limit, but it has to be sufficiently awful it turns off most normal people from supporting them. After that you just let them die a slow death of silence.

Too bad my sense of ethics won’t allow me to do this.