To the editor: His editorial in defense of “career politicians” was spot on. Some are good, some are bad.
I have worked for three elected county assessors in my 36-year career in Riverside County. All three were very good: knowledgeable, with great integrity and an interest in service over recognition.
During that time I also worked closely with most of the other 57 elected county assessors throughout California. They were pretty good, too: dedicated to their constituents and not seeking higher office.
Ironically, when term limits are imposed or people vote for the least experienced or least qualified candidates, it is the lobbyists and special interests who often steer the ship, because those without a track record are easily influenced—the same result. that voters hope to avoid by opposing it. “career politicians.”
Cathy Colt, Beaumont
..
To the editor: “Career politician” is a label that opposing campaigns put on people who have served in elected office (usually a decade or more) when they want to suggest that a candidate does not deserve support when running for their next office.
When an inexperienced office seeker campaigns against a longtime elected legislator or executive, the “career politician” label is a convenient way to cast doubt on a veteran's motivation for running for public office.
Campaign thugs will use whatever is necessary to attack their opponents. There are many very honorable labels for long-standing public servants. These are the ones that honest intermediaries should use during election periods, including “experienced legislators”, “experienced public servants”, etc.
Mark Driskill, Long Beach
