September 08 , 2005
Behind Every Candidate...
Jeffre's campaign for mayor, for accountability in Cincinnati government
By J.R. Rininger
Guest Columnist
“The only thing that I can ponder is how wrong it is to not fight for a multiparty system in this country.”
Chris St. Charles
Wed, Aug 3, 2005
I am a long time friend, supporter and believer in Justin Jeffre and his bid for Mayor of Cincinnati. We met at the University of Cincinnati in a political science class, years before talent and showbiz made him a citizen of the world. Back then, Justin was one of those students that not only did the class reading but sought to connect the lessons with something real in the world. The guy whose enthusiasm would force the rest of us to grudgingly work harder. When Justin returned to Cincinnati after fame and fortune took him around the world, I wondered if any of that had changed.
The only thing different is the haircut.
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Justin entered the mayoral race with the same grit and determination that made him a multiplatinum recording artist. His campaign launch was covered by more than 200 news outlets worldwide. Although career politicians and their cronies in establishment media marginalize Justin’s candidacy, you don’t have to look any farther than current political debate to see his impact.
The other candidates are all professional politicans who know a good thing when they can steal it. These professional politicans hypocritically promise to attack city problems as “outsiders” - despite their status as political insiders. They attack influence peddling and the role of money in politics while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. They blackmail voters, promising to end partisan bickering if (and only if) elected. Personally, I would like to see them play nice in the sandbox they’ve got before electing them to a new one. |
It is eye-opening to hear the professional politicans pick up, and try to make their own, issues Justin raised as far back as April. Issues the other candidates initially mocked him for championing. Issues they are still trying to morph into empty campaign rhetoric.
Education. Public transportation. Diversity. Poverty.
The career politicians picked up on something Justin’s supporters know but the big media and political party spin machines strive to hide from the electorate.
Justin is the real deal.
Justin Jeffre knows what is important to the people in Cincinnati who don’t always own their homes. People who squeeze every nickle out of their paychecks. People like me who daily, weekly and monthly frequent the independent, hometown businesses career politicans sweep under the rug while courting multinational chain store replacements.
We’re people who expect their government to be more than a private club for real estate moguls. We’re people who pay exorbitant percentages of their income on retrogressive taxes. People who are not represented by either of the big, self-serving political parties, so alike in their contempt for the public they’re only distinguishable by their endorsements. People who have dedicated our lives to Cincinnati when our elected leaders have abandoned it. We want change in our government and are no longer willing to settle for the “lesser of two evils.”
Justin Jeffre is our champion.
"The Podium" is Queen City Forum Magazine's opinion page. Guest writers and staff writers offer their take on social, political and life issues. "The Podium" will feature a new "Behind Every Candidate" each week on Sunday going to the election on November 8th, 2005. The Mayoral Primary will be held on September 13th.
Contact Information
· podium@queencityforum.com
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