Vote on Merits

“Campaign for Vacant 7th District Seat Enlivens a Dull Primary” (Sept. 9) is non-objective, judgmental journalism in its worst form. The primary role of a reporter and a newspaper is to report the news in an objective and unbiased manner and leave the editorializing on the editorial pages.

All candidates in San Diego and the rest of the nation are political equals. This concept of equality is the basic ethos of our political process. It is tragic that the true American political process is falling victim to a political aristocracy consisting of lawyers and millionaires who are being perceived as the only qualified legislators.

Regarding the 3rd District primary, the report states “McColl is an overwhelming favorite to take the first step toward reelection to her first full four-year term.” I take strong exception to this statement because neither the reporter nor the Los Angeles Times to date has been endowed with prophetic vision. This reminds me of all the other newspapers predicting the election of Thomas Dewey for President.

On the contrary, The Times is failing in its responsibility to the community and itself by not reporting on the ideas of all the City Council candidates and their respective views to the people of San Diego. While my opponent is “rich and famous” and I’m “poor and infamous,” our political views contrast and result in political pluralism at its best. This blackout of both our views serves as a disadvantage to the voter, who will either become apathetic and not vote or will be unable to decide on the various merits of each candidate’s political platform.

ART SALZBERG

Council candidate, 3rd District