That and $1 Might Buy You a Cup of Coffee

This blog is about my opinions.  I do not apologize for them but understand that they are not universally shared. I have had limited feedback simply because my distribution is very limited.  However, I am open for debate and welcome any discussion. I have been tempted to share some of these to Facebook but don't think the general public is quite ready for that. However, if you are a friend of mine of Facebook don't be surprised if you see one of these show up as a post. Especially in the fall.

Enough of the disclaimers. For the last 9 1/2 months I have enjoyed a catbird seat in the eye of the hurricane that is county government in Caldwell County, Texas. And, with this being an election year, it is especially tumultuous. In Texas County Government the term of office is 4 years. Some offices follow the presidential election cycle, the rest the Texas Gubernatorial cycle. As this is the year we FINALLY get to send Obama back to Chicago we will be electing a Sheriff, 4 Constables, 2 County Commissioners and the Tax Assessor/Collector. There are any number of state and national elections but I will save them for another entry. And, if you think I am going to tell you who to vote for, don't hold your breath. The last thing this old boy needs is some mad politician jacking with me while I am trying to do my job. What I will do is make some observations about the process.

Texas usually holds its primaries in March in the even years. This year it is on May 29th! Not because the candidates wanted more time to campaign but due to a battle over redistricting. For those mathematically inclined here is the formula:

Republican State Legislature + Republican Governor + Democrat Administration in Washington, DC

=

LAWSUIT!!!

After months of gerrymandering and undoing the gerrymandering we finally had the lines set and the elections could go forward. AND MAGIC HAPPENS!!! Incumbents become accessible, challengers show up for meetings involving the position they are running for, and they ALL are your friend and really care about your opinion. Never was this so obvious as when I worked in a nursing home a few years ago. To begin, I think it is despicable for someone to show up during the election cycle to solicit the votes of lonely old folks when they don't show their ugly mug until the next election. Yes, I know who they are, no I will not tell you, and no, they will NOT get my vote! Generally these people draw challengers and sometimes it is too late to rehab their reputations. Oh well........ 

So the primary is just over a week away and, barring runoffs, everybody gets to back down somewhat until Labor Day. Yes, they will still be shaking hands and be your friend and care about what you think, just not as hard as they will in September. The general election occurs on November 6th and , THANK GOD!, it will be over for another 18 months. Then we start the process all over. 

Here is what is wrong with this system. The County Government model used by Texas originated in the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. The Texas Legislature, in an effort to keep the carpetbaggers out or at least under control, set up elected offices for just about any and every function performed by the county government. So you have elections for the District & County Court Clerks, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Animal Control Officer, Justice Courts, etc. Some really obscure offices went by the wayside. None of these jobs have any particular skill set requirements , just be a qualified voter of legal age. So the person collecting the taxes doesn't really need to know anything about it, just get more votes than the next guy. The Treasurer, who is responsible for disbursing and investing funds needs no formal education. In fact, outside of the lawyers, the only person required by statute to have a formal education level and receive continuing education is not elected at all. He is none other than yours truly, the County Auditor. You add on top of that someone, like me, who spent most of his career in the private sector, and you can imagine the gulf that occurs. There is a general distrust of those "college boys" to begin with and I end up getting lumped in with the lawyers. 

Another thing that is wrong with the system is that the salary scale is such that it discourages qualified individuals from running for office. The pay cuts they would be required to take are substantial! Occasionally a retiree that is not quite ready to sit on the porch will run and straighten things out. Maybe that's what I'll do.........

So if I were king the first thing I would do is eliminate the Offices of Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, Tax Assessor/Collector , Constable and Treasurer. Commissioners and the County Judge would be limited to two 4 year terms, as would Justices of the Peace and the District Attorney. District Judges would not be elected either! Each of these functions would be filled by qualified professional earning a salary commensurate with their experience and qualifications. Shezam!!!

But alas I am not king and the Texas Legislature, not known for it's political will, will never do anything to change the system. And for the next 5 years or so they will shuffle the deck every two years and I will have new and exciting challenges to face. I may throw in a session of the legislature or two just to keep it interesting. You never know.......