When the District Attorney’s office on Wednesday brought charges indicting Chula Vista Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas and her brother Jesus for pilfering taxpayer money to benefit their political consulting agency and her city council campaign, I let out a long, exasperated sigh.
Not for the Cardenas siblings. I know them as well as I know District Attorney Summer Stephan—by word and deed and reputation.
The last four, five, six—maybe even more—years haven’t been easy for anyone trying to convince people not to lose faith in our political system. In our Democracy.
All too often, in conversations with people who pay casual attention to politics the phrases “They’re all corrupt” or “You can’t trust any of them” will be offered as a reason for explaining away apathy. The indifference sometimes leads to inaction or ignorance, it’s hard to know which is worse—a vote based on misinformation or no vote at all.
Painting with a broad brush is easy, especially at a time when so much has already demanded so much of our emotional and mental energy. Calling all politicians or would-be electeds corrupt and criminals gives us permission to check out and not participate in shaping the world.
If we’re all going to be betrayed by them in the end, if they are all looking out for their own interests, then what’s the point in voting? Why bother?
It’s hard to counter that sort of reasoning when faced with the likes of a councilwoman allegedly committing fraud, or a former county supervisor reportedly harassing a woman, or an ex-congressman using campaign funds to pay for video games and private school, or an ex-president trying to overthrow an election.
But it’s important to remember that for each politician accused of corruption, there are a myriad others doing their best to do the right thing. And if the right thing doesn’t align with our beliefs then one way we address that is by voting them out of office.
There will be more to say about the Cardenas saga in the weeks and months ahead, but for now it should go without saying: Innocent until proven guilty; Their day in court; Fair trial. Yadda. Yadda. Yadda.
But it sure doesn’t look good.
Nonetheless, don’t check out. Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t let corruption beat you.
Vote. It can still make a difference.
