“The Will of the People is in probate.” . . . and the Legislators have appointed themselves Executors. In a county whose “vision for the future of the community is based on a set of principles that reflect the values of the community as expressed by the County Legislature” – there’s no doubt about where the “vision” and all the decisions are coming from.
“As those who are blinded by gold.” Sometimes blindness is not being able to see – and sometimes it’s not being able to see anything else. Regard for the things that money can’t buy is not just for those who don’t have it: it’s for all those who realize what a poor substitute money is. Most people find that out sooner or later. Sooner is better.
“Nobody noes.” Tompkins County’s rural community is unrepresented and unimportant — and in the County’s most recent Comprehensive Plan “vision of the future” – they don’t even exist. Like so many native cultures under colonial rule: they are “withering away” in poverty, neglect, and oppression.
“A big frog in a small pond in a draught.” How does it take you? Is it the only water? Or has it dried up? Is it pride in a dying/drying pond? How will the frog act? Toward others? – do they have everything? Or nothing?
“9-1-1 calls go to voice mail.” It’s not a stretch; it’s just a further step down the path that the County is already traveling: Due to COVID-reduced revenues; Tompkins County decided to cut back on services; not politicians, and not giveaways to corporations – but since their lock-step legislature always votes the same – why not double or triple up on the “representation” and use the money that we’re paying to unnecessary legislators for the safety of the community. I’m sure there would be a lot of public support for this solution — that is; if the public had any meaningful participation in County government.
Shut off all the noise, and what do you feel? Nothing. There is no rising tide. No compassion. No goodness. No hope. Just endless repetition – indoctrination – rote: “We are the future” – and? “It’s your generation who ruined the world” – and . . . what?
It’s all “when are we going to get there?” to an uncaring Doctrine. A road trip without a ‘rest stop’ or a motel.
“More Info – Less Filling” A more satirical treatment of the ethical misconduct that saturates the fabric of Tompkins County — the Urban Colonialism of Cornell University has marginalized and destroyed the “native” rural culture throughout much of the state; and runs the county for the benefit of its corporate “bottom line” — The New Paradigm: “Squat . . . shit . . . move on.”
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RULER OF ALL YOU SURVEY
The “telephone survey” is an excellent example of how Tompkins County authorities validate elitist policy making – while at the same time giving the appearance of meaningful public participation.
The following document uses the Town of Lansing Telephone Survey as a “How To” guide for politicians looking to legitimize “quid pro quo” government and short-circuit future opposition.
How to Create the Perfect Telephone Survey
Preparing the Survey
TIP: Telephone surveys should always be carried out early in the decision making process; before residents have a chance to consider the ramifications or discuss the issues among themselves.
It’s very important to decide on the answers you want before formulating your questions in order to ensure a successful survey.
Include as many respondents as possible who will not be affected by the survey results.
TIP: Avoid displaying any correlation between the respondents and their answers that may weaken your case: for example – people who rent, and only moved into town for ‘convenience’ or plan to stay less than five years, are unlikely to care about the long-term impact of your policies and are more likely to express support.
Make sure your “random” survey has no surprises by instituting quotas of respondents for each of the different demographic categories you’ve created — Hang up any anybody who’s been “apportioned out.”
TIP: “The Devil is in the Dialogue”: Don’t include any questions that you don’t want the answers to, and make sure to limit the choices in your “multiple-choice” questions.
Ask the most questions in the areas you want to have the greatest weight in the results. This is your primary agenda.
Add “filler”: Up to 50% of the questions should be non-arguable demographic questions: this will lend an atmosphere of solidity and worth to the survey.
Generalize to avoid problem areas: the answers can be interpreted as an approval of any specific policy later.
• Don’t ask — “Would you support a large increase in the school taxes?”
• Ask — “Do you want our children to receive the best quality education?” [The inclusive “our” is always a useful touch.]
Don’t ask residents if they actually want something: your position is to assume it will happen and ask what they want to do with it.
• Don’t ask — “Do you want a Town Center?”
• Ask — “Do you want sidewalks/a mini-mall in the Town Center?”
Ask questions in a way that is psychologically loaded:
• Don’t ask — “Would you support re-zoning to allow large-scale apartment complexes?”
• Ask — “Would you support housing for families in need?”
Make sure you offer special services to the people as a “rider” so they will support your development agenda: for example – “Is the use of tax dollars for the development of recreational biking/hiking and walking trails important to you?”
Use the elderly and disabled as leverage to get what you want: for example – “Do you support use of tax dollars for [your agenda here] including services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.”
Include the largest topic areas for your questions so that the general can override the specific: for example ask – “Agree or disagree – The roadways and intersections in the county are generally safe for pedestrians” especially if the roads in your town are not safe for pedestrians.
Presenting the Survey Results
Always stress the accuracy of the survey’s methodology to mask the agenda used in the creating the questions and your interpretation of the answers.
Use “pie” and “bar” charts to lend the weight of a scientific fact to your presentation.
TIP: Add requests and suggestions from survey responders to make it seem as if you’re interested in what the public has to say.
In Conclusion
If you have followed the preceding guidelines and recommendations, you will have all the material you need to present a clear-cut “mandate” for your project or policy. FINAL TIP: Make sure all the influential “partner-stakeholders” receive a cut to be certain of their continued support.
“Their Code of Ethics is fill in the blanks.” Cornithaca County’s ethical oversight is like a temporary spare — it’s used to distance participants from the scandal until permanent repairs can be made. There is no clear-cut case of misconduct that cannot be side-stepped or misunderstood into non-action. And if you persist; they just stonewall.
Let’s face it: when “entitlement” started getting bad press; it started using disguises — it’s “tradition,” it’s “compassion,” it’s a “safety net,” it’s what you’re “owed” – it’s all about you. You can’t balance the scales of justice with nothing on the other side.
“Is like cleaning the storm drain in the shadow of a tsunami.” Government policy is all about talking big; and getting tough with the little people. Expect to see “Global Warming” Taxes — that will be used to pay off the big polluters. [They’re called “incentives.”]
It’s not panic that causes the most deaths in house fires — it’s lack of panic.