Ideological Gridlock from The Post-Gazette

Members of the Board:  Attached is a pdf of a column from the Post-Gazette "Forum" section today (Sunday, July 17, 2011).  The column is written by Marc Dunkelman, a fellow at Johns Hopkins' Center for Advanced Governmental Studies.  It is an analysis that I hope you have all read, or will read.  Mr. Dunkelman addresses the very concern for community, open-mindedness, and the ability to interact with those whose views we do not share I have tried, along with many others, to pose to you as one reason why you have been unsuccessful in developing broad-based support in our town for your policies.  Mr. Dunkelman goes squarely at the "Posti Postulate" ("surround yourself only with people who completely agree with you").  In fact, he specifically cites schools as one of the local social institutions to which we all should be able to turn for social mediation, intellectual tolerance, compromise--imagine that (a message you have heard from me and many others for a long time).  Now that the Posti-Gazette has published such a viewpoint, you might even hear the message from an outside party.  I urge you to read and consider Mr. Dunkelman's thoughtful views (just as I have also urged you to view and consider the documentary "Waiting for Superman").

You may not agree with my views on the specifics of policy, but you must learn to hear, consider, and respond in a mature and appropriate way (that is, in a non-manipulative and non-stonewalling manner) to the divergence of reasonable opinion among your constituents.  Especially when it appears that the opinion you are shutting out is majority opinion. You know that you do understand that the majority of citizens in our town does not support your actions.  Isn't your private concern that your building and spending plan would be rejected the true underlying reason why you will do anything to avoid letting the voters cast a ballot in a plebiscite on your "renovation"?  Isn't your private view one of fear of losing if the majority are allowed to prevail (remember The 4,000)?   Before the entire community, I challenge you to practice some open-mindedness and responsive democratic leadership from your lofty official aerie.  I challenge you to reject the Posti Postulate, openly, vigorously, and completely.  Change your ways to become responsive and responsible.  Change your attitudes to become receptive to the full range of public opinion.  Allow the majority you fear to be your ally instead of hunkering-down to resist the popular will to the bitter end.  Remember, you are elected officials.  Remember the call to work with and represent your neighbors that presumably led you to seek our support when you first campaigned for office.  You asked for the responsibility, now show us you are wise and able enough to handle it.  Prove me wrong when I conclude that you are incapable of representing this community fairly or with integrity---it is an argument I would love to lose.

With Due Respect.  Steve Diaz

Gridlock: maybe it's our fault
Update: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11198/1160646-109-0.stm