Why does Isaac Benton find political engagement “despicable?”

Albuquerque City Councilor and candidate Isaac Benton is not a favorite of the Rio Grande Foundation and those who enjoy freedom. Benton’s basic philosophy seems to be one of “government knows best” and “money is no object,” especially when it comes to taxes.

Now, he has even called someone “despicable” for the sin of spending money in opposition to one of Benton’s cherished big-spending projects, a traffic roundabout in the North Valley. The roundabout seems to be on the shelf for now in favor of a left turn arrow, but it would have cost taxpayers $1.5 million and slowed traffic which concerned many neighbors including the man who donated $40,000 to the anti-roundabout campaign.

Remember, Benton is supposed to be a “public servant.” If I called my boss “despicable” for engaging in legal, even laudable activity, I wouldn’t be in my job for long. After all, this donation clearly is not going to some kind of favor for the donor. He’s not getting a government contract or trying to curry favor. Rather, he’s putting up money to educate and get across a particular point of view.

I guess where Mr. Benton is concerned, having an opposing point of view and being willing to act on it qualifies as “despicable.” He’d rather us act like a bunch of minions.