Blog: Mailbox Goodies

I gotta tell yuh, it was just a thrill to have it cuddled amongst all the other junk mail that gets stuffed in my mailbox.  Did you get yours?  The Chip Dykes mailer filled in all the blanks for me.  He’s about “Leadership.”  “Experience.”  “Common Sense.”  Says so right there on his mailer.  And it says “As your councilman I will embrace the needs of our community and make our wonderful city a business friendly environment.”  Gosh and gush! 

Seriously, I can only hope Chip hires his writers.  And accepts without review whatever drivel they churn out.  Because I’d hate to think he’s himself writing or approving this drivel.

But let’s look at the deeper, more analytic details and specifics of Chip’s attempts to woo voters.  “Leadership”.  I’m not going to belabor leadership anymore (See blog #7).  I’ll simply add that the mystery character in blog #7, the one upon whose sign the dog peed – well another dog had the same urge and commentary regarding Chip’s leadership sign.  For a less thoughtful commentary regarding Mr. Dykes’ “Proven Leadership” and “Experience” (more direct quotes from that exciting mailer), check out my Op-Ed piece in the Pendleton Patch.

Rather than tell us about their leadership skills, I’d much prefer Messrs. Kern and Dykes show us their listening skills.  I know.  I understand; Two “L” words.  By some, easily confused.  Or worse, find them contradictory.

Now let’s talk about the third qualification Mr. Dykes highlights in his run for office; Common Sense.  Whew!  There’s a term that is as full of precision, meaning, and specificity as his other two.  I mean imagine a candidate running for office who champions uncommon sense.  Or would it be common nonsense?

Let me utter them again; LEADERSHIP, PROVEN EXPERIENCE, COMMON SENSE.  Such profound terms that tell us out here in the masses how and why Mr. Dykes is so well suited to lead us.  I marvel at how much time and brainpower went into sifting through all of his qualifications to come up with those three.  And to know he shares one of them with Mr. Kern?  Strong, strong message there.  Gosh, just so strong.

Speaking of filling up empty space with empty mailers, you need to check out one entire fourth of Chip’s mailer.  One entire fourth of the mailer has 2” letters spelling out “D-Y-K-E-S”.  The word, framed between his qualifications, “Oceanside City Council”, and his website address are underscored by a shrunken horizon of the Pacific Ocean and a portion of Oceanside’s pier.  Clearly an image intended to convey Chip’s humble aspirations and self-perception. 

And to think he could have included all of his many qualifications for office on the reverse side of a postage stamp.  Written with a broad-tipped felt pen.  Then again, how big a fish can you wrap in a postage stamp?

Because they campaign on notions about listening and people over leadership and corporate interests,

And because they attend council meetings and street rallies rather than “just the guys” gatherings,

And because they know how to spell “Morro” and properly capitalize “grandfather” – or at least look up the proper spelling and capitalization rules - (jeez, Chip, c’mon!).

Please join me in following the doggies’ suggestions.  While the idea has merit, I’m not calling for a public urination spectacle.  Rather let’s just go out and vote for Dana Corso and Esther Sanchez for Oceanside City Council.