Americans are defined by what we do. We say a lot, but that does
not define us.
Americans are defined by what we do. We say a lot, but that does not define us. Words are easy, deeds are not so easy. Politicians deal in words, symbols, perceptions and do not like deeds for which they may be accountable.
Our actions in times of crises tell us a lot about who we are. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we have seen the best of who we are and the worst. The first responders in Biloxi, in Gulfport and in New Orleans who worked around the clock, even though their own families might still be in danger, are rightfully labeled as heroes. Those who took advantage of the catastrophe to loot for their own enrichment, to steal guns rather than food, deserve only our disgust.
Over all, Americans are at our best in times of crisis. Name a natural disaster in recent times and Americans have been there, rescued people, set up hospitals, donated money, materials and big chunks of our personal lives.
It is what we do when there is not crisis, when the eye of the world is not upon us and we are not in the news that concerns me.
Let me take a particular case. Robert Cerruti has certainly spent a lot of time analyzing the budgets of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. He probably knows more about them than most of the Water District workers do. Still, when I read his continuous attacks on the Water District, I wonder who or what he is trying to protect. So, I went back to see what he has said over the past six months.
In an opinion piece dated July 30,2005, he said “It’s our belief that rain-water generated in South County for the Anderson and Coyote reservoirs, stay in South County.”
Now we all know that this water is contained by Coyote and Anderson lake dams. We all know that the construction of these dams was not done with South County money. So, I wonder where Cerruti is going to get the money to repay the cost of those dams. It is also very much against the legal precedent of “right of prior appropriation.”
This is just one example of misguided concerns for effective government leading to small minded, protect me – too bad about you, policies.
In his latest letter to the editor of this newspaper, Mr. Cerruti has called for the replacement of the current Water Board by “someone who can understand a budget.” I guess that he is talking first of all about Rosemary Kamei and Sig Sanchez. They seem to be our most likely South County representatives on the board. I wonder how Ms. Kamei ran a business if she did not understand a budget. I wonder if Mr. Cerruti plans to run for the District 1 seat himself. It sound like he is making that case.
Another great example of what we do when no one is looking is the manner in which everyone who had the money to do it was flagrantly taking advantage of Williamson Act loop holes to force the rest of us to pay more taxes. While there is no obligation to donate money above your fair share to support our government, when the most wealthy among us conclude that putting only a single house on their 5 acres is preserving open space worthy of Williamson Act exemptions, I get rather nauseated. Once more, it is all for me, too bad about the rest of you.
The original intent of the Williamson Act was to preserve agricultural land from the being forced into development by increasing taxes to the rates demanded for developed properties that may now adjoin the agricultural property. It was not to preserve pretty green golf course hillsides for the benefit of a few. I congratulate the American Institute of Mathematics for recognizing this fact.
Someone wrote to me recently that “we can increase integrity my making things more open.” I replied that integrity has to do with how you behave when no one is looking. The county was not looking and we had an example of integrity at work.
