Of Platforms And Platitudes

To the Editor:

I was amused to read in the paper Bruce Walczak’s complaint as to the Republican and Democratic parties’ “absence of campaign platforms” [“IPN Calls Major Parties On Absence of Campaign Platforms,” Bee, 8/7/09]. Perhaps a short visit with “Webster” prior to engaging the word processor would have been a wonderful experience for him, and for us, too! By definition, a political “platform” is a “public statement of the principles, objectives and policy of a political party...ex.: The Fabians developed an all-embracing platform promising utopia... ex.: The platform contained the usual platitudes.”

 Nope, you just can’t make this stuff up, those are the actual examples given in the dictionary, how apropos. So what are the “Sugar Me Sweet” platform principles, objectives and policies...well, they are the old retreads of last election...Better Government — like open space; Fiscal Responsibility — like work with state leaders; Revenue Development — like make Edmond Town Hall an Art and Cultural Center. Well, these are all nice, but the only problem is that they are already in progress. Open space acquisition was implemented eight years ago by the Board of Finance (seems IPN Legislative Council members Gary Davis and Po Murray tried to nix it last budget)...Work with State Leaders, we already have had the strong support of Julia Wasserman and now Chris Lyddy. He is intricately involved with the town as can be seen in our drive to stop the Railroad’s Solid Waste Expansion. (Plaudits to Gary Fetzer as well for using his contacts with US Representative Larson and Senator Dodd to help stop this Railroad ridiculousness!) Edmond Town Hall is a work in progress and zoning is already being reworked consistent with the Arts and Cultural nature of the premises. So, in review, who but the staunchest Stalinist, Fascist, would not be in support of such a “Sugar Me Sweet Platform”?

So, here’s where we get to the next visit with Mr Webster. “Platitude” meaning “a flat, dull or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh and profound...ex: the platitude of most political oratory.” Again, how convenient a dictionary example is that! “As if fresh and profound”...exactly, “as if.” Platitudes, platitudes, platitudes, please, spare us the porous promises and provide specifics...like how about 1) increase school spending from 65 percent to 75 percent of the annual budget; 2) repeal the Fairfield Hills Authority in its entirety and replace it with politicians; and 3) increase taxes for town and school functions so that only the upper middle-class can afford to live in Newtown. There, it’s said for the IPN...that’s the real IPN platform. Everyone knows it. Now the IPN can be “transparent,” open and honest about it.

Thanks.

Anna Wiedemann

13 Clearview Drive, Sandy Hook                               August 11, 2009