According to the paper, the mail did not meet even the loose standards of the Texas election code, which requires people who are trying to influence your vote to give themselves some sort of name.
I have some general observations:
- It's possible to think there are better candidates than Workman and Okray and not be either sleazy or stupid. This episode proves, however, that there is at least one sleazy and stupid person of that opinion.
- The mailing does a great disservice to other candidates because it is natural for voters to reflect on cui bono? Who benefits? I hope that candidates who -- of course -- think themselves better qualified than the maligned parties will not suffer because someone they probably do not know decided to spend some money anonymously supporting their positions.
- It's interesting that the letter-writer may have committed the same level of misdemeanor he is so willing to pre-judge Okray guilty of.
- I wonder what it is about these candidates that has frightened someone? Neither is a shoo-in, though either or both could conceivably win their races. What made it seem worthwhile to spend money and face a further fine to influence a gullible few? Maybe he or she is just an idiot. But I'd like to know what scared him into attacking two men whom I know to be honest and intelligent (if not great politicians) behind their backs.
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