Objects in Motion

Newton's first law of motion states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. The same could be said for politicians. Once a politician gets elected to office, they tend to find ways to stay in office. The proof of this theorem can easily be seen by some of the items that are on the agenda of this week’s Kissimmee City Commission meeting. It’s not that other governments don't deserve their due credit in manipulating the power structure, but Kissimmee is in the process of these discussions now, so they deserve the spotlight at this moment.

The process of elimination, or the smell test as some would call it, should be applied to this week’s items on the agenda. First we have "Listing Candidate Names by Lottery," which passes the test because in no way does it help any current commissioner hold on to their seat, or aid in keeping certain people out of the process. Second (last on the agenda actually), we have a "Charter Change on Election Dates," which also passes the smell test because it helps to increase voter participation and reduce the cost to the taxpayers of the city. Good government so far.

Now we need to look at "Eliminating Term Limits" and "Vacancy Occurring from a Suspension from Office" as smell test candidates.

Removal of Term Limits: This directly proves the “stay in office law” and fails the smell test. Removal of term limits in no way makes for better government for the citizens, but instead only enhances the opportunity of empire building by those in power.

Vacancy Occurring from a Suspension from Office: This one just seems odd all the way around. The idea is to have a full commission making decisions that best represent the citizens, not keep holding the door open for a politician that has been removed. Government does not exist to benefit those who are elected. Holding the open seat also creates a situation where opposing forces could reduce the number of votes on an issue to pass changes that may be held up by a challenging commissioner. On top of this, add the fact that government would hold the seat vacant even through an election cycle? There is that strange odor again...

The second part of the Vacancy-Suspension from office charter change has its own aroma. If the Mayor-Commissioner is the one that is removed, the Vice Mayor will ooze into the Mayor's seat until it is no longer necessary. Wow! First of all, the Vice Mayor is no more than a ceremonial title for a bogus position that is picked by (bickering) commissioners and not by the people. The voters do not elect a Vice Mayor, or the Mayor Pro-Tem and this fails the smell test in that regard.

Physics or politics, you be the judge.