is not necessary to the mantra about the value of democracy and citizen participation, to say that what happens in Florida is not only a sad spectacle, but a clear symptom of a kind of schizophrenia that affects our political system from a weak institutional framework and the whim of politicians.
Personally, I think the mechanism for the "succession", which is more While monarchy, because in addition to the councilors vote only is inadequate and insufficient. It is undemocratic. Nor is attendance at any meeting to settle the matter, contrary to an explicit responsibility to the citizens.
First guilty, the "honorable" in Valparaiso, who seem to believe that members of the political class are immortal in their positions, and still do not legislate with regard to a mechanism, which of course is to call citizens-elections to replace those who resign or die in the exercise of an office. Still rely at whim, make dedocracia castling and apply without getting red. Better institutions, nothing.
And the problem is that Florida is a widespread problem in our democracy. Institutional failure is endemic. Democracy is ill prisoner of mechanisms that leave at the mercy of some personal whim.
Thus, residents of Florida, today are still at the mercy of the whims of a few members of a municipal council, unable to exercise any control over their whim. In fact, adds to the arbitrariness of law, the council members indicate that they are not citizens, they must choose a successor to Mayor Gajardo. "The law says" there are many who cry out the solution, but they do not even think if that law is adequate for this purpose.
No wonder why the law gives them a few councilors that power belongs to citizens? Do the voters have elected to designate successors in case death of the mayor? Never. The citizens elected them to represent them before the mayor, not to be potential successors to it. Or do some counselor in his speech promises to be the best successor to the Mayor if the resignation or death?
And that's what all this schizoid because councilors are locked in a kind of bubble outside of Florida itself, where the stench of power eats them any political rationality and exacerbates the most of your personal whim. And that's what they are doing a ritual public, embarrassing, walking on the edge of absurdity. It remains to propose a horse for the job ...
Everything is crazy if you ask What really expect councilors and the Coalition PC, which for the ninth time did not attend the special session? What dies one of his colleagues who supported Carter to be tied? How often attend Carter's supporters, knowing that others will not, if it happened, "the third time's the charm?
Then it is clear that the fight in Florida that council is merely ego of power, not democracy and less by the public.
Worse, the residents of Florida are trapped in the gap between short-sighted and unnecessary institutionalization, and the caprice of a few councilors, who have not only deleted any dialogue, but have placed the "democracy" in limbo insurmountable. And with that have captivated the public.
In a clearly authoritarian attitude of the council in general, not really wanting to consult the electorate, both sectors are considered the most likely to assume the mayoralty. That is the axis of the dispute and the stillness that keeps Florida without mayor for nearly three months.
Ultimately, the lack of democratic institutions at village level as people, do that representatives denied the right to exercise democracy its citizens. That is, does not protect bad representatives are mayors and councilors, who capture power for themselves personally or collectively.
Perfectly all those council could reach a democratic agreement, then call new elections for mayor. That would be revolutionary, profoundly democratic. But no.
are intoxicated with power, while Florida continues to function without a mayor and councilors. Is that democracy does not depend on these representatives, it is rather their prisoner.
