Mountain Blog

More About the Octopus Party

My Daily Mail column about the Octopus Party is not something the two parties in West Virginia are going to cheer about. The reason? Politicians think they run things. They don't. They never have and never will.

One of the basic tenets of power I learned in Dr. Simon Perry's class at Marshall University entitled "Power in American Society" is that elected politicians rarely have any real power and certainly no lasting power. The reason is simple: Their power is dependent on elections and unless they can guarantee the power weilders that they can last forever (Robert C. Byrd comes to mind), the people who hold the power will never consult with them about where public policy should go.

Elected officials come and go. Their power is fleeting. Power weilders are forever.

The real power people in West Virginia hold allegience to no political party(Buck Harless gives to people in both political parties.) History indicates they really aren't interested in improving the lot of the average West Virginia. They do not believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. They are out for themselves and the only way you can make it in this rarefied atmosphere is to do their bidding. Thus, if you want to remain in office and be a mover and a shaker, you do what they want you to do or at least you leave them alone to pursue their personal goals. Cross them and you're out.

It might be said that a politician who starts believing he has real power is dead in the water. Jerry Mezzatesta comes to mind. They tossed him to the wolves. It was a hard lesson for him to learn.

So, if you must blame the state's misfortunes on someone, blame them on the people who populate the undefined Octopus Party who set the agenda and make sure the elected officials follow through.

But be careful if you play the blame game seriously. They might getcha.

posted by Dave Peyton @ 4:14 PM