Comments on: Speaker Emeritus http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/ Unleashing Courage Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:13:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Publius http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-798 Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:24:24 +0000 http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-798 This is a great answer. As a matter of fact, your seeming discouragement is a bit unsettling. Don't feel that you shouldn't criticize or judge - after all, its only enjoying the protections and freedoms that so many have fought so hard to ensure. I would like to see more and since I'm from Cumberland County, I'd love to see more about my home county. I am not aware of any other blog that covers "insider information" on county politics - not that there's much going on, but it would be nice. This is a great answer. As a matter of fact, your seeming discouragement is a bit unsettling. Don’t feel that you shouldn’t criticize or judge - after all, its only enjoying the protections and freedoms that so many have fought so hard to ensure. I would like to see more and since I’m from Cumberland County, I’d love to see more about my home county. I am not aware of any other blog that covers “insider information” on county politics - not that there’s much going on, but it would be nice.

]]> by: Matthew Best http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-691 Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:37:29 +0000 http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-691 It's a good question. He could very well be representing the views of his constituents, and probably is by the fact that he keeps getting re-elected. That doesn't mean that I have to like it though. In most cases though that is where it ends. The reason why Perzel is different in my mind is that up until recently he was the Speaker of the House, meaning that he had conplete control over all legislation within the state, meaning that his opinions affected everyone in the state - criticism from people in Central PA becomes more valid in that case. Also, Perzel may be from Philly, but he doesn't represent all 1.5 million Philadelphians, only about 60,000, just like every other Rep. Ultimately the difference comes down to this - we each have a unique perspective. People do what they think is right, or atleast the least wrong at any given moment. It applies to Perzel, myself, and everyone else. Which brings up a different topic - should anyone criticize or judge another person? It's something that I am struggling with in my mind - which is the reason why I haven't been posting as often - I want to get away from the judging and criticizing. I want to turn more towards policies. The chambers haven't really done anything with any policies yet, there hasn't been anything to write about except the leadership. I hope my perspective is helpful to you answering your question. It’s a good question. He could very well be representing the views of his constituents, and probably is by the fact that he keeps getting re-elected. That doesn’t mean that I have to like it though. In most cases though that is where it ends. The reason why Perzel is different in my mind is that up until recently he was the Speaker of the House, meaning that he had conplete control over all legislation within the state, meaning that his opinions affected everyone in the state - criticism from people in Central PA becomes more valid in that case.

Also, Perzel may be from Philly, but he doesn’t represent all 1.5 million Philadelphians, only about 60,000, just like every other Rep.

Ultimately the difference comes down to this - we each have a unique perspective. People do what they think is right, or atleast the least wrong at any given moment. It applies to Perzel, myself, and everyone else.

Which brings up a different topic - should anyone criticize or judge another person? It’s something that I am struggling with in my mind - which is the reason why I haven’t been posting as often - I want to get away from the judging and criticizing. I want to turn more towards policies. The chambers haven’t really done anything with any policies yet, there hasn’t been anything to write about except the leadership.

I hope my perspective is helpful to you answering your question.

]]> by: Publius http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-676 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:21:57 +0000 http://www.courageofconviction.org/blog/2007/01/11/speaker-emeritus/#comment-676 Something that I've wrestled with for some time now and have never asked anyone - is it possible for Perzel to win in his situation? Don't misconstrue the question; I'm by no means defending him. The question is more targeted toward Perzel's party affiliation AND the fact that he represents Philadelphia. By their very nature, Philadelphians are rather unique in Pennsylvania. They have different needs, different motivations and different viewpoints, which could charitably be described as moderately conservative. So, my point is, could it be possible that John Perzel is in fact representing the opinions of his constituents accurately, while his actions are misunderstood by more right-leaning conservatives who have difficulty understanding the motivations of 1.5 million Philadelphians? Something that I’ve wrestled with for some time now and have never asked anyone - is it possible for Perzel to win in his situation? Don’t misconstrue the question; I’m by no means defending him. The question is more targeted toward Perzel’s party affiliation AND the fact that he represents Philadelphia. By their very nature, Philadelphians are rather unique in Pennsylvania. They have different needs, different motivations and different viewpoints, which could charitably be described as moderately conservative. So, my point is, could it be possible that John Perzel is in fact representing the opinions of his constituents accurately, while his actions are misunderstood by more right-leaning conservatives who have difficulty understanding the motivations of 1.5 million Philadelphians?

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