Backtalk: The 800-pound gorilla riding the elephant in the room

Last week for the web, we ran an op-ed by Raleigh resident and community organizer Reeves Peeler with some suggestions on how to make Raleigh’s future municipal elections more fair and inclusive of all residents, the biggest being to limit individual campaign contributions to candidates. Readers were mostly on board, though a few had some thoughts on the influence of PACs.

From Dustin Ingalls on Twitter:

“I don’t disagree in theory, but something to think about: interested donors can always fund Super PACs to influence the elections, and lowering donation limits gives candidates less money to respond to attacks.”

Reader Iain Burnett elaborated via email: 

“I also wish elections were fair, but then we notice the 800-pound gorilla riding the elephant in the room. Even if individual direct contributions were limited to $500, PACs for local candidates are legal in this state, each accepting the maximum. Independent expenditure PACs can accept unlimited donations from people, businesses, unions, or trade groups. Allowing some money is a good idea—it’s an indicator of candidate worth if a lot of people put money in. But i think splitting hairs on how candidates get money misses the big problem—our election system rewards candidates who are good at raising money and turning out voters (and being outrageous or making unrealistic promises can do both things). We need an election system that rewards candidates who will do a good job for the entire constituency, not just the subset who voted for them. And that is going to be a hard problem to fix.”

Sarah Edwards also reported for the web last week on the closing of Durham diner Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter. We had lots of upset readers bemoaning the closing on our Instagram page. 

From @unionspecialbread: “Beyond sad to read this.”

From @woofspace: “what?! there’s always a multi-hour wait whenever I try to go there never even got to try it! so sad 🙁 “

From @derekalanrowe: “This place is a gem! Such a staple for me and my family and friends here in Durham. Soooooo sad to see it go. RIP Jack Tar, Saint James, Dos Perros AND Quarter Horse”

From @dressesyourtresses: “The corner booth in the photo is where me and my husband had brunch after we got married in our living room ❤️❤️❤️”

From @webloreart: “One of the best things I’ve ever ate was from there. It will be missed”

From @rebsuz: “Such a shame. I love this place.”

And from @missionpizzaws, who puts it best: “This fucking sucks.”