Often, in this column, I’ve ranted about the inherently anti-democratic nature of Austin’s term limit and campaign finance reform laws. I think both of these have more to do with the ego of their proponents than any true populist reform, that they evidence a remarkably lazy, anti-establishment knee-jerk reaction rather than any thoughtful analysis of the problems of Austin politics. Now in court we watch as hypocrite’s hypocrite Linda Curtis and Kirk Mitchell try to have Jackie Goodman and Daryl Slusher, respectively, thrown off the ballot. Why? Because they truly believe the democratic process is being thwarted? No, because they think they have a better shot at winning if these two popular candidates aren’t running against them. This is so cynical, it makes me want to puke. They aren’t defending your vote; they are looking to deny it. This is not an endorsement of any candidate but a cry of outrage at a corruption of the democratic process by these cynical politicians who have the nerve to define themselves as “reformers.” They want to limit your choices because then they have a better shot. Disgusting.
Linda Curtis is so ethically compromised she should be a running joke rather than a viable political force. She is literally arguing that rich people should be able to buy the political process, but a coalition of folks pooling money should have no status. It was fine for Beverly Griffith to reach into her own pocket to pay Curtis to gather signatures, but that a group of people may have contributed money to collect signatures for other candidates is worth going to court over.
I once threw Kirk Mitchell out of the office Nick Barbaro and I share because he wouldn’t stop lobbying Nick. Even after I told him to stop. Which is typical Kirk. It’s not really ideology, it’s ego, and he has no idea that there is a difference.
I hate term limits. I hate Austin’s campaign finance “reform.” And I especially hate the anti-democratic nature of these truly ethically corrupt, self-styled reformers.
On a happier note, Waterloo Records is celebrating its 20th anniversary. One of my many and often contradictory Chronicle mandates is that we don’t cover anniversaries. There are just too many of them. Every month another club, or theatre group, or arts organization is celebrating one anniversary or another. But Waterloo is an exception. An unofficial town hall for the city of ideas that is Austin, Texas, Waterloo has helped this community maintain its identity through the two decades it has been open. We salute John Kunz and his wonderful, knowledgeable staff. I’ve been shopping there since it opened. Long ago, when I was single (and usually broke), I would often stop by just to browse and hang out. Now, 20 years later, I get dragged there all the time by my 11-year-old son, who has discovered not just music but the wonders of a truly great music store. Happy Anniversary, Waterloo, and I’m counting on you being around when it’s my grandkids dragging me there.
This article appears in April 5 • 2002.