Letter: Say ‘No’ to Cronyism

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Letter to the Editor

Is the city council election not supposed to be about the right to vote for individuals to independently represent our community? What is the deal with the three white dudes running for office on the same ticket? 

On their fliers they claim that “the only way to change our city council is to elect all three of us.” I’m irritated and suspect of this directive. What are they trying to tell us here? Instinct tells me that I should be made aware of this formidable foe. Is it the city council chain of command that holds the power, or is it a challenger running against them?

We have all seen this heavy-handed strategy before — a certain group of local activists band together because their individual footprint has proven ineffectual; and so, they pool their collective strengths, because alone they could not produce.

Even during their meet and greets, they preach that you must vote for all three, as if we don’t have the right or intelligence to decide for ourselves. From their distasteful signs hung wherever they want, to their desire to be a force with three to one odds in their favor, they are misleading voters in thinking they must vote for all three.

This all stinks of the cronyism they claim to be fighting against. It’s “good ol’ boy” politics when they demand that we vote for all three, regardless of their qualifications.

Looking at their qualifications, I wonder if any are suited to be elected. I moved to Malibu in 2013 and am only familiar with the Kardashian celebrity they seem to garner in the local periodicals. Yet, I have asked around about past issues, heard of obvious side deals and cronyism. It is time for city council to be diverse with strong leadership. 

They claim the three of them backed Measure R, and that is completely false. Don’t let their dirty politics get in the way of the truth, and don’t let them tell you who to vote for. Educate yourself and decide who the best candidates are for the job. I say Malibu stands up and says “no more cronyism.” Your voice. Your vote.

Paul Cox