Dear Lucas,
Yo, voters. Go pound sand.
That's basically the message coming from our state legislature these days. And this outrageous quote from Senator Tommy Tucker of Union County is accurate. Tucker told a citizen attending an NC General Assembly committee meeting on Tuesday: "I am the senator. You are the citizen. You need to be quiet."
That just about sums up the attitude coming down from Raleigh these days.
Well, we as citizens don't have to be quiet. And we won't. Donate $5 or $10 right now to help make a big, colorful statement in Tucker's hometown Sunday newspaper. With your help, we can buy this full-page color ad in Tucker's hometown newspaper. We'll explain to all of Tucker's friends, neighbors, and voters that CITIZENS HAVE A RIGHT TO PETITION THEIR GOVERNMENT. And that politicians work for us.
Tommy Tucker's quote is completely outrageous on its own.But the issue behind Tucker's dismissive comment is even more serious if you think an informed public is important for clean government. Tucker railroaded a bill through his committee which would allow local governments to stop advertising public meetings in local newspapers. State law currently mandates that your city or county advertise public meetings in local newspapers so area residents know when important decisions on zoning, annexation, and even raising water rates are going to be made.
We all know this: when the public does not watch politicians, bad decisions and backroom deals go down benefiting special interests, not the public interest. So Tommy Tucker and others at the NC General Assembly don't just want citizens to be quiet -- they want them rendered clueless, kept in the dark, left without a voice.
But you don't have to be quiet. We can speak up and spotlight Tommy Tucker's outrageousness. Chip in $5 or $10 right now to help pay for a big Sunday full page ad. With your help, we won't just be speaking up. We'll be making a statement. Full page. In color. In Tucker's own backyard.
Thanks for demanding some needed sunshine in our state government.
Sincerely,
Progress North Carolina Action