Erie Election Analysis

As to the coming election, I suggest stepping back and taking a broader view.

While the election is supposed to be non-partisan, it lacks only the designation following each candidate’s name. A few minutes of research yields the obvious.

Zuniga, Kenward, Sawusch and Haverkate are endorsed by Boulder County Republicans.

https://bocogop.org/2022-erie-candidate-list/

Brooks, Baer, van Woudenberg and Hoback are ostensibly Democrats.

Putting aside innuendo and mean-spirited gossip, there are ideological differences implicit in these general political identities. They are worth exploring and have relevance to Erie’s future.

While some may object, it is fair to ask the Zuniga slate these questions related to their partisan affiliation:

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided?

Do you support the investigation into the violent events on January 6th?

Do you believe that traditional news sources are, by and large, legitimate journalism?

A “no” answer to any or all of these questions is, in my opinion, disqualifying.

Moving beyond those more sensational questions, there are philosophical differences to consider.

Republicans/conservatives broadly:

Resist regulation and press toward economic “freedom.” Nationally and in communities across the country this includes opposing limits on extraction. Conservatives generally dispute climate change and/or deny the impact of fossil fuels on global warming.

Believe diversity and inclusion programs are part of “woke” culture and that we generally live in a post-racism society.

Support parental rights to restrict or monitor school curricula and favor “school choice.”

Are reluctant to support specific housing policies directly facilitating economic and racial diversity.

Believe that mandatory health measures are an infringement on individual liberties.

Resist zoning or other limitations to property rights.

Support the 2nd Amendment and oppose many or most legislative gun control measures.

These general ideological beliefs have varied intersection with town governance, but are relevant in terms of many matters that our community may face.

Democrat’s broadly:

Believe free markets, including extraction, must be regulated in service of public health and the environment.

Believe there remains systemic racism which must be addressed through education and/or public policy.

Believe public schools are essential and curricula and methodology should primarily be the province of educators.

Support reasonable policy efforts to racially and economically diversify communities.

Support mandatory health measures when science indicates that they advance the general welfare, albeit with some individual sacrifice.

Believe in a balance between private property rights and community interests.

Believe in reasonable efforts to balance gun rights and public safety.

There have been disputes about things like the alleged funding of campaigns that I will bypass for the sake of this broad analysis.

It would be of great value to Erie voters if candidates on both sides would respond and acknowledge or reject the general positions I ascribe to their apparent political affiliation.

I, and perhaps others, will infer that a failure to respond can be inferred as agreement with the characterizations I offered.