About the CPG and Menard recall

To the editor:

Since I have lived in Wasilla for only 18 months, I do not know much of Steve Menard or his politics, nor do I know much of anything regarding the history of local politics here.

I do know what I have read about Menard’s transgressions and how the Wasilla City Council dealt with this matter. I have no reason to believe that they did not do that appropriately. I believe that while Menard did an incredibly stupid thing (when he took that first drink), he did not commit any clearly criminal act such as bribery or fraud. He did not, in this instance, commit a DUI that would have actually put people’s lives at risk.

He certainly did nothing of benefit to himself, but rather much to his detriment, and I trust he realizes that fact. And he may also have caused some minor embarrassment to the city of Wasilla. Eight years of my 20-year employment with the federal government were spent in the Washington, D.C., area. Compared to the behavior of some of our congressman there, Menard’s transgressions would not have made the top 50 list.

At age 75, I consider the upcoming 2012 election to be the most critical of my lifetime. In fact, I believe that this election, in order to preserve the essence of this great nation, to be the most critical since Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860.

Why the CPG has chosen its involvement in this matter of local petty politics is beyond my understanding. I had joined this organization with the understanding that its mission was to support simple, straightforward, conservative principles relating to all levels of governance by unifying behind strong conservative candidates with whom we are confident in upholding these principles.

The Menard recall action that CPG proposes does not appear to be in any way unifying, but is clearly divisive. In this recall election, some people will support Menard and others will oppose him. But just what conservative purpose does this achieve?

At this time of great national crisis, I consider the CPG involvement in this matter to be neither conservative nor patriotic. Accordingly, I have resigned my membership in this organization.

Ronald W. Michelson

Wasilla