$500,000 in an election year
We live in a world where the earth is burning; climate catastrophe is almost an everyday word; a pandemic has claimed the lives of over 220,000 Americans; more than 8 million people living in the United States have “slipped into poverty” since May 2020; people are on the edge of losing their homes or are already unsheltered on the streets; and adequate healthcare is a privilege for few. I am disgusted by the spending in the elections this year, especially in times of great need in San Jose.
Like many other cities and states, San Jose has special interest groups with deep pockets. These deep pockets do not ensure equality, let alone equity. They do not feed people or keep people in homes or provide adequate healthcare coverage for those in need. They have been put forward to keep a politician in the public office, or better said, to keep challengers to the status quo out.
Jake Tonkel entered the District 6 City Council Race in August of 2019, with a platform based on his values of peace and justice. As an environmentalist, social justice activist, feminist, and biomedical engineer, Jake brings experiences and insights that are often not seen among those elected to the City Council or even higher public office. His desires are simple: He wants “a city with welcoming communities, safe neighborhoods, healthy residents, opportunities for [all], and responsive city service.” He wants a San Jose for all. And he is willing to listen and dialogue to understand what is right or wrong in how we do things in San Jose.
This election in this one district race, special interest groups (developers, big real estate, corporations, and even the police union) have poured $500,000 into smearing Jake Tonkel to defend their profits and secure their future political control and not the interests of the people of San Jose.
So what could $500,000 buy in this pandemic election year?
- Annual benefits for 44 disabled people, living independently on Supplemental Security Income (SSI payments = $943 per month)
- 172 months of rent in District 6 at the $2,900 average rents
- House 14 people for a year.
- 1 year of tuition and fees for 87 students at San Jose State University
These figures are important to me as a disabled worker in San Jose because I know people who survive on disability and I know many people who struggle to secure housing and food and some who go without these essential needs.
So what does the $500,000 mean to the developers, big real estate, corporations, and the police union?
It means they can continue to extract benefits from San Jose residents. It means they can continue to push permits through City Hall and make payoffs to silence complaints. It means they can continue to be exempted from in lieu fees and other fees that some politicians in this city do not see as handouts or special treatment. For some, it sadly continues the patterns of behavior that are currently afforded to them by laws as is the case for the Police Union. But these laws fail many groups of people and create a culture of harm and injustice for those perceived as different and less deserving.
A San Jose for all is a vibrant place that will thrive because people know their neighbors and look out for one another. Where parents are not worried about their children going hungry because food security becomes more common than the ongoing insecurity that is normal here. It is about equity in opportunity and helping others in need. It is a San Jose that ensures everyone who is looking for housing, has a safe place to lay their head at night and the programs that support rather than punish human needs. (Moved this up from below) It is a city where small businesses, collectives and cooperatives thrive and grow. Communities will self-determine their services and programs and not the corporate interests so frequently found in today’s San Jose. Our San Jose must not be a city that believes in the privilege of only those with resources and property.
A San Jose for all is about having the courage to commit resources to meet pressing human needs over corporate greed.
Jake Tonkel sees this vision for San Jose and he will continue to listen to the people he intends to serve in this elected office as he serves them already in his ongoing work for all communities in San Jose.
Jake listens and is open to discussing the difficult issues and working on solutions WITH the stakeholders, including those who are unhoused, most at risk, marginalized, and poor. He will represent the interests of ALL people in San Jose. And today, more than ever, our city needs his kind of vision and commitment.
