Exception, Proves the Rule

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."
Thomas Jefferson

Somewhere, within the past couple of weeks, we've read the incumbent Mayor of the City of Wilson has stated he is NOT available for any debates during this election season as he is booked solid with other engagements through the month of May.

OH, HOW CONVENIENT, MR. MAYOR!

Let's Do the Math. You're an incumbent who has been in office for six terms, each term has been (for) four years, (pretty much) so that's 24 years already that you've been the mayor. Now, you want another four more...Yet, you don't want to make yourself available to debate your challengers. That's interesting. However, it's not like this strategy is a new thing where you're concerned. We're recalling similar situations the last time around when you refused to participate on a panel discussion with previous challengers.

THE QUESTION IS... Your absence and your unwillingness to participate be it a candidate forum or a debate... Can that be translated into votes at the polls come Tuesday, May 8th?

THE ANSWER IS... Sure it can. It's called the "Reciprocal Agreement of 2012."

If  the folks you're counting on decide to make themselves unavailable or they decide they do not want to vote for you come Tuesday, May 8th in light of your decision to not participate, they certainly have the right to do the same.

ORDINARILY, most incumbents jump at the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and exaggerate their achievments about what they've done while in office. You don't want to. That's suspect and why not.

OK, perhaps there's another way to look at this. Immediately, two words come to mind. One is "entitlement" and the other is "privilege."  Both terms encourage a heavy dose of "confidence & assumption" that those who have entered the mayoral race are not viable opponents nor capable candidates to unseat you. Thus being, you confidently believe you will resume the position and preserve the title. Long live the legacy of THE BRUCE ROSE. 

Let's look at ENTITLEMENT: Based strictly on local history and status quo, for all the years you have served the City of Wilson, this state of mind or condition leaves you with a sense of  having a right to hold and maintain this mayoral position until such time as you dictate and decide its no longer what YOU want to do. PRIVILEGE: You have deemed yourself to be worthy of this title as you see no challengers capable of soliciting sufficient votes to surpass your margins of past elections. 

Therefore, longevity sets you separate and apart from all the rest under the auspices of entitlement and privilege. So, sure, you can choose to ignore accountability, integrity and transparency within your administration where your constituents are concerned while hiding behind the cloak of being incognito.

However, that decision may cost you in the long run if you don't find yourself being called Mr. Mayor at the end of the day come Tuesday, May 8th. A decision you may live to regret.