Reply to What is wrong with MOCO politicans?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As someone who watches a fair number of Council sessions - echo chamber is the right answer. Really, everyone should be forced to watch a few sessions before voting. 75% of the time they are just restating what everyone else has already said, and then patting themselves and each other on the backs.

I'm actually a progressive myself and agree with a lot of what we do, but  if I'm honest I can admit that the lack of diversity of thought on the Council is probably a negative. Not having one or two voices presenting a counter opinion or even challenge the Council members to defend their positions results in the Council members being very insulated [/quote]

Hit submit too soon!

I have seen sessions where the attorneys will tell the Council that some action is illegal or highly suspect, and none of the Council members care. I mean, no one even bothers to debate it. I saw a session a few weeks ago where one Council member casually suggested just adding more money to a certain fund to cover the uncertain increase in costs of a proposed action. Several other Council members all enthusiastically agreed. Only one said "hold up - where are we going to get this money from?" No one had an answer and no one seemed concerned about that or inclined to seek further information. Even the member who raised it didn't seem particularly stressed. They will frequently.comment that they wish they had more information, but then go ahead and vote for something anyway. There is lots of discussions regarding equity (which are good) and surprisingly few discussions regarding finances (which concerns me). Bills are often rushed through the process and, IMO, the Council is regularly dismissive of concerns and questions raised by the executive branch employees who would have to administer the laws. Not the political people, but the "boots on the ground" employees who actually know how the trains run. I would think those viewpoints should carry some real weight (balanced with the knowledge that people are often resistant to change), but again, it's not even discussed. Just ignored.

I think that's the crux of it. The absence of real, meaningful debate that forces everyone to take a second look, rethink, amend if necessary, and just generally create more effective legislation.

Really, I encourage everyone to eat h a few Council sessions. It is unquestionably the best research you can do as far as determining who to support. [/quote]

I didn’t watch that one but I have watched a few and this is pretty much the gist of what their meetings are like. Unfortunately, I think they are in denial to accept that this is what’s happening.  There is no variety of thought and there is nobody to challenge anything. It’s not that I want everybody disliking and hating and arguing with each other but it’s a bunch of yes-men and women.[/quote]

I agree, this is an accurate representation about how the current Council works.[/quote]
It’s an institutional culture problem that has been going on for a long time. [/quote]

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