[RP TownTalk] Stipend increase

[JayRite at aol.com]

Sarah,
 
I think it's a 4th reason that you sort of mentioned in the bottom of your  
post. 
I think Councilmembers Kiernan and Donaldson did mean NO (it certainly  
didn't mean yes!). 
On many occasions in politics, if an opportunity presents itself to avoid a  
negative voting record, by voting "abstained"; that opportunity will be  
taken.  Councilmembers Kiernan and Donaldson, while realizing that  there would not 
be enough yes votes to carry the legislation, more than likely  abstained 
from voting at all, to protect their voting record, and subsequently  concealing 
their real bottom line opinions on the matter. We may not like it,  and it may 
seem like a cop-out, but it is what it is, and it's their right  to do so. 
 
Just my opinions, and mine alone.
 
Jay Wright
 
 
In a message dated 12/7/2006 12:15:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
twacks at his.com writes:

can see  three reasons for abstaining.

(1) You believe that to vote on the issue  is a conflict of interest, 
and that it is therefore unethical to  vote.

(2) Your constituency doesn't care about the issue, and you don't  have an 
opinion yourself.

(3) Your constituency is evenly split on  the issue, and you don't have an 
opinion yourself.

Public opinion  on this issue seems overwhelmingly in favor of a 
pay increase if you base  it only on messages sent to this list. But we 
should all remember that we  are a small (but active!) group of voters in
town. We don't represent  everyone. And those council members who abstained 
know their constituency,  just as those who voted "yes" know theirs.

I will say this, though.  Over the years, I have seen many a council member 
abstain when they really  mean "no".

I can't speak for Councilmembers Kiernan and Donaldson  regarding why
they abstained on this  issue.

-Sarah




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