The Political Road Less Traveled

By MELISSA MASON

Published: May 29, 2001 12:00 am

To the Editor:

For the past week the media firestorm surrounding the recent defection of Senator James Jeffords from the Republican Party has been inescapable. While I do not necessarily see the controversy as unwarranted, I feel that the press has mishandled the issue at stake. Yes, the senatorâs decision to go independent and break Republican control of the senate is a historic one, and yes, this shift of power will most definitely alter the landscape of American politics in the coming months, but few have mentioned the seemingly radical idea of a politician standing up for what he, not his party, believes is the right thing.

Too often in the partisan political system the individualâs principles must be suppressed for the âgood of the party.â This fact may ensure stability, but it also promotes stagnation. Lately its seems as if the fight for control has overshadowed the actual matter being voted on. Both the energy and tax reform bills of the past three months have been used as platforms for each party to throw various names at each other instead of looking at in-depth and lasting solutions.

The decision of Senator Jeffords to leave the GOP and become independent has challenged all of that. In his departure he has not only left the Republican Party, but has left behind the idea that all politicians must fall in line with their party even in the face of personal disagreement. In a statement that the senator from Vermont authored himself that appears on his official senate Web page he says, âI was not elected to this office to be something that I am notâ¦ I have changed my party label, but I have not changed my beliefs.â It is a sad fact that a politician standing for his convictions has caused such a commotion, but maybe this is the kind of commotion that is needed to change the vicious partisanship that too often divides our leaders.

Is it too optimistic to hope that Sen Jeffordsâ decision might change the way politics are currently being conducted in Washington? Perhaps, but maybe this will set a new precedent for honesty in politics. It would have been easy for the senator to serve out his term in conflict with the party platform, yet he chose to forego the easy road and take a stand. Voters should only hope that when faced with similar choices our elected officials, be they Republican or Democrat, will decide to follow in Sen Jeffordsâ footsteps and take the road less traveled.

Sincerely,

Matt Lynch

267 Berkshire Road, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â May 27, 2001

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

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This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

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Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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The Political Road Less Traveled

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