Why The Worst Get On Top

In Frederick Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom, the worst always seem to get on top because of their uncanny ability appeal to the more ‘primitive instincts’ of the majority. In other words, con artists and demagogues rise above the others in the political spectrum because they appeal to the largest common denominator – which in the case of Huntington usually turns out to be no more than 13% of the eligible voters. And, those that possess this superior ability, are usually the ‘incumbents’ and official candidates blessed by the party bosses. According to Hayek, once in power, those who wish to remain in power must “gain the support of the docile and gullible” by filling their ears with pabulum, clichés and nonsensical rhetoric. "Tell them what they want to hear, not what they need to know," also appears to be the successful campaign platform of 'official candidates' in Huntington. So, who exactly are the masses voting for? The best? The brightest? The smartest? Hardly. They’re voting for whom the party bosses tell them to vote. Further, challengers to the political status quo are almost always sued, harassed and attacked by the ‘brown-nosing’ press and others that feel their gravy train might be derailed. However, it's not just Huntington with that has a competent candidate problem. Throughout Long Island’s Tammany Halls, the system is so rigged that there is basically a snowball’s chance in hell that the most ‘qualified’ person to represent the individual taxpayer will ever be elected. Just take a look at what Suffolk DA Tom Spota did to the political process when he managed to have his longtime companion overturn a term limit referendum overwhelmingly passed by the voters 20 years ago. To add insult to injury, he ended up being cross endorsed by all parties and left without a challenger. Even the Soviet Union put up some candidates just to make it look good! As Hayek predicted, we will eventually be stuck with those who rise to the top by scheming and conniving their way into the good graces of the party bosses and who appeal to the largest (and lowest) common denominator. Are these the kind of people we want awarding contracts, filing budgets and making quality of life decisions in Huntington or anywhere else for that matter? I, for one, won't be taking orders from Boss Tweed this November. Instead, I will write in my choice for public office come election time. Screw the bosses.