All our politics here are local

To the editor:

(re: “Lawmakers must finally make elder parole reform,” Feb. 10)

I have never been disappointed in seeing how good progressive candidates for local political office outsmart their election to the aspired office. Ms. Jessica Altagracia Woolford’s recent Point of View piece — and her campaign — appear to be excellent examples.

I agree with her on the issue — this issue — of elder parole reform. Her argument is cogent. The moral cause is spot-on.

Would I make this a centerpiece of my campaign to unseat a local powerful politico like Jeffrey Dinowitz? Not a chance. Because, although it is the moral high road, one would believe that getting elected to office is based on appeal to serving your constituents, addressing the needs of the larger group of voters.

This is precisely the type of issue addressed quietly after being elected. One to run on for re-election.

Furthermore, help to elect Ms. Woolford should start with basics: Coordinating volunteers, would-be volunteers and others who wish to see the very-needed change from the self-entitled clique of the local machine organization. All politics are local.

My personal experience in this regard has not been fruitful. I still haven’t heard back from the social clique running her campaign as to how I — and others — can pitch in. It doesn’t look promising from where I sit.

How about registering the unregistered voters in places like Kingsbridge, Woodlawn and elsewhere who would carry her to the top in what will be a heated primary? It’s a little late by the time this letter is published to start that effort, much less accumulate the votes needed to win. All politics are local.

Feeling virtuous is good personally. One has fought “the good fight.” But this campaign isn’t about feeling virtuous. Like any sensible campaign — see Alessandra Biaggi versus Jeffrey Klein for the state senate — it’s about winning. Feeling and acting virtuous is of the same level as “perfection is the enemy of progress.”

Yes, I will vote for her, as I am not enamored at all of the local Democratic political machine. I’m afraid Ms. Woolford’s campaign, though virtuous, is impractical and not focused on winning over voters who desperately want a change from the local, self-entitled hacks now representing us on the city council and in the Assembly.

I wish her well. And perhaps when her campaign sees this letter, someone will return my numerous email requests telling me how I can help organize a victory for her.

I am, unfortunately, not holding my breath.

Adam Stoler

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