Apathy-The politician's best friend

Every day I run across something and think to myself; how did this person get elected? Politicians routinely say things which show a complete lack of disrespect for the people they represent yet they get away with it. They get away with it because they realize the vast majority of voters are not paying attention and as long as they don't cross the mainstream media's line they can say what they want. Here are a couple of recent examples:

• A recent story in the Post-Dispatch reported on claims that the Mayor of Sunset Hills, John Hunzeker, has turned his back on those who helped get him elected. Hunzeker was elected in 2006 after Sunset Hills' mishandling of a redevelopment project. Now Hunzeker is pushing his own redevelopment project against the wishes of those who elected him. Here are a couple of Hunzeker's statements from the Post article that caught my attention:

--Hunzeker, who works in commercial real estate, said redevelopment is an important tool for cities. "Some people will always think of government as the big, bad bogeyman," he said in an interview Wednesday. "That's just the way it is."

--Hunzeker believed city leaders should not question their consultants. He said that if what consultants tell city leaders ends up being wrong, the city can then sue them.

The first statement is typical politician speak. While the candidate will promise to listen to his constituents the politician no longer needs to listen since he knows what is good for them. Find out who your politicians new friends and/or contributors are and you will have good idea of what is going to be good for you.

The second statement regarding consultants is bizarre. Of course, its your job to question the consultant. You were elected to do what is best for the residents not to blindly follow the advice of some consultant. However, in reality, Hunzeker probably found a consultant to say what he wanted them to say so Hunzeker got what he wanted at the taxpayers expense.

• I recently posted about St. Peters decision to stop playing KFAV on its cable access channel. The reason given to management at KFAV was that St. Peters was unhappy about some commentary from the Fish & Ships show I co-host with Lyn Schipper. Before I posted a story on here I emailed the elected representatives in St. Peters regarding this decision. I received a reply from an alderman named Dave Thomas and here is some of what he said:

--My understanding is that KFAV (99.9) and your show was used to discount employees of our city. Our city does not endorse anyone who does this.

--Perhaps your funding comes from sources that continue to negatively,inappropriately, and incorrectly attack the good nature and intentions of our city, its staff, and its citizens.

--We are accountable for what we show/allow on our broadcast services.

First, the facts. Since we have been on the air we have talked about St. Peters issues for maybe 15 minutes and this was in regard to some policy decisions such as Lake Side 370 and how St. Peters treats its citizens who dare to dissent. Mr. Thomas wouldn't know this of course because apparently he doesn't know what we said. Thomas then tries to tie us to some unnamed group that is attacking every thing that is good and decent in St. Peters. A vast non partisan conspiracy? However, most disturbing is Thomas' attempt to dress up St. Peter's censorship as protection of the residents. The Ministry of the Truth is alive and well in St. Peters.

So how did these guys get elected?