Politics Can, Probably Should, Be Messy

Re “2 Cities at an Awkward Stage,” editorial, Dec. 14:

Your editorial seems to miss the point. Clearly, some poor decisions have been made, civility breached and personalities involved. But this is often the case where issues matter and is certainly the case in more “mature” jurisdictions such as Los Angeles and, above all, the U.S. Politics can be messy, but confrontational and contentious politics is to be preferred to the more typical Orange County situation where voters are uninformed and quiet decisions are worked out by the few in the know -- a common occurrence between developers and the council members they helped elect.

Rather than dismiss activists as gadflies, The Times should encourage a vital democratic activity that would include a vigorous discussion of issues and behaviors. Certainly one can bemoan the decline in civility in politics nationwide, and the astute politician knows enough not to burn bridges by unfair and disrespectful treatment of opponents. But a desire for increased civility should not mask a distaste of healthy controversy and spirited conflict over local issues.

Vince Buck

Fullerton