In response to ‘Kevin Faulconer is ready to be mayor’
Dear Editor,
Nicole Murray Ramirez has apparently ended her “bromance” with Republican-Independent-Democrat Nathan Fletcher, and has now taken up residence with Republican Kevin Faulconer.
Ramirez endorses Faulconer (San Diego LGBT Weekly issue 135, Dec. 5) for three explicitly stated reasons: 1. Faulconer is a clone of former Republican Mayor Sanders; 2. Faulconer is older than his Democratic opponent, David Alvarez; and 3. Faulconer has supported the LGBT community politically and financially.
None of these three assertions provides any rational reason to support Republican Faulconer over David Alvarez.
There is no doubt Faulconer is a clone of Republican Sanders. Sanders did endorse gay marriage, after years of being prodded by his lesbian daughter. However, Sanders also opposed every politically and economically progressive initiative that came to his office as mayor. He is now executive director of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, a Republican-dominated lobbying group that opposes anything on the progressive agenda. Sanders was an advocate for the Jacobs Plan to destroy the historic fabric of Balboa Park, and to impose paid parking throughout the Park and Zoo. So was Faulconer. Sanders favors a billion dollar giveaway of public funds to subsidize the for-profit Chargers. So does Faulconer. Sanders supports the Republican and Shipyards’ Referendum to reverse the Barrio Logan Community Plan with a plan imposed by polluting shipyards rather than the Plan created and supported by local residents. So does Faulconer. Sanders favored exposing the City to millions in liabilities by releasing Tourist Marketing Funds for promotion before the courts rule on the legality of this controversial tax. So does Faulconer.
Faulconer is indeed older than David Alvarez. But since when is mere age a mark of political leadership or ability?
Faulconer has indeed supported the LGBT community politically and financially. So has David Alvarez.
David Alvarez is a progressive Democrat who can lead a progressive majority of the City Council to make a difference in this city. He can ensure the residents of Barrio Logan control their own destiny, and can protect the health of their children and grandchildren. He can protect Balboa Park and other historic treasures of the city. He can support the encouragement of living wages for working people in San Diego, reducing the need for other forms of public assistance. He can directly address issues of the homeless. He can be a strong, articulate voice, independent of the old Republican establishment of downtown developers, newspaper publishers and hotel owners.
Faulconer would use the powers of his office, including the veto powers of the strong mayor, to arrest any progressive changes in San Diego. He will represent the 1 percent very effectively. He will be the middle-age, establishment, pro-developer Republican voice for San Diego unless we strongly and enthusiastically support his opponent, David Alvarez.
It is time to pass the torch to a new generation of progressive leadership in San Diego. Mr. Faulconer and Nicole Murray Ramirez represent the past. Let’s move the city forward, not in reverse.
DAVID LUNDIN
Son Appareil Photography
San Diego
