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Gaston Legislator Thinks Disagreeing With Him is Condescending
The title of this article is not our words but the words of Mr. Bill Current, elected member of the NC Legislature for District 109 (Gaston County). Really? If anybody disagrees with this man he thinks it is condescending? Really? Mr. Current has served four terms representing Gaston County and it is sad that this is the best that the citizens of Gaston County are treated in such a manner.
Why bring this up? We are not going to try and evaluate Mr. Current's service record, his personality, or even try to guess his intentions. We will however, question his actions and if they are what we as citizens should allow to take place. Political party has nothing to do with this nor does anybody's opinion of the infamous Garden Parkway or Toll Road as it is now affectionately called. Although we are planning a follow article on that at a later date.
We think this is just one more incident in whatr is becoming a common occurance from elected officials that have remained in office too long. We agree with those that are clammoring for term limits. It is a good idea and North Carolina needs to look at this idea seriously. Our own local city government should take a hard look at this idea as well. Most politicians seek elected office to make a difference. It is a privalage to be asked by your fellow citizens to represent them and their voices. Why do so many elected officials seem to forget this and start thinking they are somehow all of sudden better than those that elected them?
Let's look back at some of the comments and actions of two of our more senior legislators.
When discussing the problems in Raleigh, “slick city lawyers and homosexual lobbies and African-American lobbies are running Raleigh,” James Forrester, Feb. 2010
When declining a Political Womans History event invitation, “(I) promised to be at the organizational meeting of the ‘White male’ historical society.” William Current, March 2010
Defending his actions of name calling and poking aman in the chest, "I’ve got freedom of speech rights too, and if I want to get emotional, I’ve got a right to do that too." William Current, Feb. 2011
Commenting on citizens that sked to meet about the toll road, “You just can’t imagine some of the people who come in there with crazy ideas,” William Current, Feb. 2011
Do we really want people that would say these things representing us? Some of our readers are probably thinking to themselves that these men have the right to say anything they want just like the rest of us. Well, yes and no. Everybody has an opinion and everybody has a right to express that opinion, but when someone volunteers to represent the citizens then he/she must represent all citizens and their personal opinion must be secondary to those of the people that elected them. As an elected official you are no longer free to spout out your personal bigotry and belittle the people that hired you. It is not acceptable.
Does Mr. Current really think that much of himself? Is Mr. Forrester really that hateful and bigoted? We can only evaluate them by what they say and their words portray a very discouraging situation in our choice of elected officials. To makes matter worse, both men refused any apology for their remarks or actions. Mr. Forrester did issue a lame apology stating that he didn't mean to offend anyone but he would not apologize for his words. Not good enough gentlemen.
These men were elected to represent every last citizen in their districts. It shouldn't matter what issue a citizen wants to expres an opinion about, they were elected to listen and listen they should. If they were standing here now this is our message to them. Shut up once in a while and listen to the people that put you in the position you think is so important. We put you there and we can take you out of there. Shape up and do the people's business and leave your personal business and feelings at home! Now get back to Raleigh and do what we tell you to do and nothing more. 'Nuff said!
To read the comments of citizens that Mr. Current insulted in the Gaston Gazette Article click HERE.
To read Mr. Current's response in his newsletter click HERE. |
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