By JON MANN
This is my message to residents: How to transform politics as usual and enable a new model for participatory government. To create consensus politics that bypasses partisan dogma and personal aggrandizement by utilizing the electronic interface to empower netizens in a virtual town hall.
I wrote this to illustrate the dynamics of this election campaign and the difficulty of running against incumbents and candidates with powerful endorsements, money and name recognition.
City Council candidates, I challenge all to debate. Set a brave new precedent, Contending on the Internet. A free exchange of new ideas, setting to rest local fears. Of corruption and development, contributions; endorsements sent. By City PACs, Chamber and SMRR, special interests — incumbents prefer. Caregivers at the public trough, citing homeless to rip us off. Kennedy scion, Bobby Shriver, Do you know how to cyber? Will you use your family name, to shame all those who are to blame? Opportunistic sycophants, and masquerading elephants! This is not a race for joggers, It’s time to face the world-wide bloggers! Virtual web democracy, will banish Council hypocrisy. So vote for Anderson and Mann, or bury your heads, in the sand.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 1, 2004. Read the original PDF.