Elections and other stuff

The just completed primary election leaves one a bit cold, to say the least.  As usual, the voter turnout is an embarassment.  People all of the world would did, and do in many instances, to have the opportunity to vote; but in this coutnry, there are more important things.

Next, there were a couple of candidates running without opposition, Pat Bates and Sheriff Hutchens.  It just does not feel right that candidates can sail through without having to face a few citizens forums and answer some questions.

Also, there are the perennial candidates and I don't mean in the Harold Stassen sense.  You may remember, I think he ran for president five or six times.  I'm referring to the candidates, such as Mimi Walters who has been in elective office for 15 or more years.  She just goes from one termed-out office to another, and doesn't leave much of a footprint behind.  I doubt that anyone can name one important thing she has accomplished, other than keeping herself on the public dole. 

Walters was on an early board or committee that was charged with "revitalizing" Dana Point Harbor. That was more than 10 years and $6 or $7 million dollars ago, and nothing has happened in Dana Point.  She also was a member of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority.  The objective of this authority was to prevent an airport at El Toro Marine Air Station, and create a "great park."  A park greater than any that has ever existed.  Well, more than a decade and $400 million dollars later, the 'great park' is a mere shadow of itself, and hardly bigger than a city park.  It certainly does not measure up to Central Park in NYC or the San Diego or San Francisco parks.  Ms. Walters does do a great impersonation of John Kerry, however.  While a member of the state legislature she said "I voted for that bill before I voted against it."  I guess she is qualified to be in Congress, home of some of the greatest underachievers in history.  Heaven save us from the Mimi Walter's of the world. 

An interesting sidebar is Adam Nick, Lake Forest Councilman, who ran in the 46th Congressional District, against Loretta Sanchez.  He placed a distant second behind her, but we have to wonder why he filed in that particular race, especially when there was an open seat in Lake Forest.  One assumes time will tell and we will find out what was, or is, his motivation.