Thread by @KGLiebowitz

I am angry

Angry because I have spent almost three years pounding my head against a proverbial wall, presenting evidence publicly and privately, advocating, speaking out.

I have never felt like the voters had much power in New York. It’s ironic, because they talk
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about Democratic values and inclusion, yet very important positions aren’t chosen by open elections, and we don’t have access to important state offices. For ex:
- A committee picks my county health commissioner but we don’t elect the committee;
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It’s comprised of people elected to other positions. Positions you don’t pay much attention to, so candidates don’t really campaign, and no one really knows what they do.

- There’s no ombudsman at the state education office. There isn’t even a helpline

- If your child is
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harmed or endangered in school, you can call CPS - but they won’t take your report. They redirect you to an unmanned number at the state DoE

-If you have a dysfunctional BoE, you can’t recall a member. Only the Ed Commissioner can remove a BoE member. Now ask me how the
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Ed commissioner is picked.

Good q

- In our town, as in others, “nominating committees” pick ppl for the school board, to be mayor, to be trustees. Technically, we vote, but these elections are usually uncontested - and competition is discouraged and frowned upon
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I am not making any of this up. It’s less political commentary than it is commentary on the extreme dysfunction of this place.

So why I was surprised that no one listened to anything the people said? Not sure. I mean, they don’t have to

They’ve set up the government
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So that power is centralized, and completely inaccessible to the unelected

I haven’t had a politician ask to learn more about my opinion since Nita Lowey, more than ten years ago

Our BoE doesn’t realize they manage our school admin - not the other way around
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I watch recalls and ballot initiatives in other states with jealousy. BoE elections with deep envy. Congressional meetings with awe. What would it be like to live in a democracy? I have forgotten

You see, democracy isn’t about a viewpoint. It’s not about abortion or
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Immigration or race or gender or the military or oil. It is a system of government “by the people, for the people.”

I am angry, like I said at the beginning
Because whether I am in the minority or the majority, I should have access to leaders and a voice in what happens to me
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I don’t. And neither do millions of other New Yorkers

Because if we did, someone would be listening to the >=95% of parents who didn’t vaccinate their littles

If you stuck around this long, thanks. And #VoteThemAllOut2022
/end