Their first mailer identified some local politicians involved in the mailing, including Supervisor Benoit, Palm Desert's Jan Harnik, La Quinta's Mayor Linda Evans and Councilwoman Ginny Foat from Palm Springs. Yesterday, we received their second mailer which literally
urges Rancho Mirage residents to not waste their time voting.
Imagine, two very professional, slick 8½" X 11" mailers trashing Rancho Mirage's efforts to secure a vote of the public on Measure 1. Only professional hit piece writers are cynical enough to come up with unsupported slogans like: "Tens of Thousands of Dollars On a Sham Election" and "The Rancho Mirage City Council is flushing our tax money down the toilet." The mailer asks, "Why and for What?" and then suggests how you should vote on Measure 1 without ever identifying the subject matter of Measure 1.
You may have observed that not one word on this latest mailer even
mentions the CV Link nor identifies those supporters who are behind the mailer. Not one word on this slick professional mailer discusses the merits of Measure 1 nor does it explain how Measure 1 would work.
Clearly, the people behind these mailers are motivated to spend considerable sums to influence our residents. Like their counterparts on the national level, they demean the democratic process by being deceptive and substituting slogans for substance.
Cynical Political Pros Consider Voters Uninformed Dolts
You may also have noticed that yesterday's political mailer does not even mention CV Link nor its political supporters. Yesterday's mailer, with deceptive slogans by biased people, seeks only to undermine and mock the democratic process.
The professional who wrote this asks,
"What" is Measure 1 about? But, no answer is provided. Nonetheless, t
he answer is relatively simple, but not for those trying to manipulate and deceive voters:
If passed, Measure 1 would prevent a future council majority (3 votes)
from rescinding our new Ordinance that prohibits CV Link on Highway 111
and other roadways (excepting Ramon Road), unless that council first
obtains approval by a majority vote of Rancho Mirage residents. (The YES vote.)
If defeated, the City's Ordinance prohibiting CV Link on streets other
than Ramon Road could be amended or repealed at any time by a
simple majority vote of the 5-member Rancho Mirage city council. (The NO vote.)
Illustration #1
Referring to Measure 1. Those behind the mailers refer to this as
"a sham election
.
" No definition or explanation as to why it is a sham election or even what the election concerns. Literally, the subject matter of this election is nowhere mentioned in this hit piece that tries to motivate us not to vote at all.
Fact:
City law requires that city council elections be held in April of the even numbered years. This is not a
special
election. The four ballot Measures merely piggy-back on the regular city election where three candidates are competing for two seats. There is relatively little additional cost to include the four Measures.
Illustration #2 Referring to Measure 1, the mailer says in large, bold letters, "
Don't Waste Your Time" Yes, voting takes a bit of time, but to suggest to Americans that voting is a waste of time, is incredibly appalling.
Fact: The presence, cost and location of the CV Link is probably
t
he most significant Valley-wide issue ever addressed in the
Coachella Valley. It is definitely a significant matter to Rancho
Mirage residents - who this mailer urges NOT TO VOTE!
To hire an expensive political professional to mold language to convey a message that urges voters
"Don't Waste Your Time
" illustrates contempt of one of our most treasured rights. The politicians and money behind this pathetic effort to suppress voting in Rancho Mirage will live with this shame that many will long remember.
Your city council urges you to vote. Vote as you deem wisest, but at least play an active role in the government that is closest to you and which most affects your daily life.
