Here’s a dirty little not-so-secret secret about most legislative candidates: Regardless of whether they’re D’s or R’s, most mouth platitudes and talking points instead of saying specifically what they really want to DO once elected.
I’m not talking the boilerplate ‘Stop Raising Taxes’ or ‘Protect Working Families’ stuff that resonates with a party’s base constituencies, but specifics that demonstrate that the candidate or incumbent has actually thought about what they truly hope to accomplish. This is largely true b/c what most truly hope to accomplish is to get a $50K or so boost in income for doing very little. There are many exceptions, but the list of those who are only in it for the money, perks, and perceived ‘prestige’ is far longer than the list of truly dedicated public servants.
One other reason why candidates rarely share specific priorities is due to fear that (a) people will not like their priorities and/or (b) that their priorities will be twisted and distorted by their opponents until people will not like their priorities.
Jim Westhoff has done the exact opposite, which once again demonstrates why he is by far the finest candidate running for the Delaware General Assembly this year. He has released a detailed list of priorities that he intends to pursue as State Representative. If you are really interested in public policy, and not just horse-race BS or ‘rooting for the laundry’, read this. You will likely disagree with some of his priorities, which is fine. Before, however, I turn the rest of this article over to Jim Westhoff in his own words, in the interest of fairness, I now give Westhoff’s opponent, David Wilson, this forum to share his priorities with you in his own words:
https://delawareliberal.net//2010/10/12/jim-westhoffs-opponent-in-his-own-words/
Please listen to Dave Wilson and then return for a compare & contrast. (Insert ‘Jeopardy!’ theme music here.)
Time’s up. Is Wilson now fresh in your mind?
Now, here’s what a thoughtful legislator is like. Jim Westhoff, in his own words:
“A Candidate’s To-Do List
Candidate for 35th District Representative releases a list of legislative priorities
Jim Westhoff, Candidate for State Representative in the 35th District, released today his “To-List,” a two-page list of changes that he will fight for if he is elected on November 2nd.
“This is a list of the specific actions I will take when I am elected,” Westhoff said. “People are paying a lot of money to be represented, and they deserve to know what the politicians will do once they are elected. That is why I am sticking out my neck and putting down these specific recommendations.”
Some of Westhoff’s proposals are to make it easier to do business in Delaware, pass a law so that no state employee can make a higher salary than the governor, and removing any salaries paid to members of state boards or commissions. In addition, Westhoff calls for making it illegal to post signs in the state-owned right of way next to highways.
In late July, Westhoff released a detailed plan for reforming education.
Westhoff said he is frustrated by vague words that are uttered by politicians. “During this whole election, I keep hearing politicians saying things like, ‘I feel we need to limit government.’ It’s nice to hear that, but we’re not paying our legislators for their feelings. We are paying them to act,” Westhoff said.
“Not every one of these changes will be made, and most will be changed if they are signed by the governor, but I pledge that I will ensure that these bills are introduced, and that I will do everything I can to get them signed,” Westhoff said.
“The public must demand that politicians earn their pay,” Westhoff said. “It is my hope that in two years, when I run for reelection, then I can point to this list and talk about how we worked to make those changes.”
Westhoff’s opponent, Republican David Wilson has not released a similar list. “I call on Representative Wilson to present his to-do list,” Westhoff said. “So far, he has not said much about specific plans for improving Delaware.”
In August, Westhoff announced that if he is elected, he will resign from his current job and work full-time as a legislator. For more information about Westhoff and his campaign, visit his website at www.jimwesthoff.org.
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Westhoff’s To-Do List
Economy/Jobs
1. In the short term, we must start enforcing the laws regarding contractors. Too often, out-of-state contractors come to Delaware, and do not have a payroll, do not pay insurance, do not have a business license. They can do this because there is virtually no enforcement. This puts our honest, Delaware contractors at a disadvantage. The cost of these enforcement teams will be more than paid for by the increased revenue from the new licenses and fees that will be generated by employers that will now be compelled to play by the rules.
2. In the mid-term, we must pass laws that reward safe businesses by offering lower premiums on workman’s compensation insurance. If a business is safe, and has no major accidents, then there should be clear benchmarks for how they can earn lower premiums. This will cut the costs for many Delaware businesses, and place them on an equal footing with companies from other states.
3. Also in the mid term, we must provide incentives to businesses for buying Delaware-made goods, and for those businesses that use employ Delaware-based contractors and subcontractors.
4. In the long term, we must push for wind power. In five to eight years, when we get those blades turning, oil prices will be high, so Delaware will have lower energy rates than the surrounding states. This will attract manufacturing jobs to Delaware. In addition, we must produce, right here in Delaware must be the equipment for those windmills. When other states see the success of our wind farms, then offshore wind will be a growth market.
5. In addition, as a representative, I will visit the major employers in my district and work with them on any actions the state can take that will help their business succeed. We must continue reaching out to existing businesses to help them grow and remain in Delaware.
State Government Reform
1. No currently elected legislator can accept a paid position with the state government. Beginning on the date when the governor signs the law, no elected state legislator will be allowed to accept another paid position with the state government. This will be prospective and will apply to any currently sitting legislator and those elected after the effective date of this legislation.
2. Personal donations to a candidate’s own campaign should be limited to the same amount that anyone else can give to that campaign. Right now, a personally wealthy person has a great advantage over someone who is not as wealthy. In addition, parties often choose candidates based on his or her wealth, rather than the person’s qualifications.
3. Roadside advertisements, or political signs should no longer be allowed in the state-owned right of way, at any time. Political signs should only be placed on private property. Right now, we have gaping loophole that allows our state-owned lands to be littered with thousands of signs.
Cutting the State Budget
1. No state employee should earn more money than the governor. Current employees who receive more pay than the governor will have their pay immediately adjusted when the governor signs the bill. There are dozens of state employees who are making far more than the governor. One person makes $450,000 a year.
2. Legislators should not receive mileage payments for travelling from their home to legislative hall. Right now, legislators receive a check for mileage. This is outrageous at a time when people are happy to have any job at all. Most people are not paid mileage to drive from their home to work.
3. Members of any state boards or commissions should not be paid for their service. This will not apply to full-time employees who work on those boards or commissions. For part-time work, people are given spots on boards or commissions that can pay as much as $30,000 per year. The service itself should be pay enough.
Crime/Justice
1. We must create a separate category. Larceny of more than $50,000. This charge will have recommendations for stiffer penalties than the lower larceny amount. This will help resolve the problem of people who defrauded the state hundreds of thousands of dollars, and only receiving probation. In addition, the criminal must pay restitution that starts with seizure of assets to satisfy the amount of the theft.
2. We should reform our drug laws so that those who are arrested for minor possession and usage crimes, that do not involve weapons or violence, are sentenced to in-patient rehabilitation. It costs us more to incarcerate a person for 1-3 years than it does to get these people the help they need to free themselves from their dependence on illegal drugs.
3. In addition, our prison facilities should be judged on the recidivism rate of their former inmates. We must provide incentives for prisons so that they will rehabilitate the inmates, rather than setting them out where they commit crimes all over again. We have far too many people in Delaware’s prisons. We must break the cycle of recommitting crimes, so these inmates can leave prison and lead productive lives.
Military/Veterans
1. Member of the Delaware National Guard, the active reserves, and retirees should pay nothing for vehicle tags, and those members should also receive an annual pass to Delaware State Parks with no charge.
2. There should be no state income tax on any pay from Delaware National Guard or the military reserves. The neighboring states have this policy. We should too.
3. We must work with the National Guard and together we must lobby the Department of Defense to expand the training facility at Bethany Beach. Right now, we have a great program for Officer Candidate School. We have the central location, and enough real estate to expand that facility to make it a regional training center, training officers from any other states. This will bring many more jobs and revenue to Delaware.
Environment
1. Work with county council to ensure that state environmental regulations are followed. We must find a solution that allows the state to work with Sussex County Council to reign in the development.”
Jim Westhoff is running a true grassroots campaign. He no longer needs $$’s, but he needs ‘boots on the ground’ and canvassers. Contact www.jimwesthoff.org to volunteer. And, howzabout a ‘Canvassing Liberally’ phone bank for the most deserving candidate of the cycle?