Opinion: Asheville's progressive values being diluted by big money

When is the last time you heard a politician come up with a new idea or concept? It’s the same canned talking points up and down the political ladder.

The right has a culture war and the left is against it.

Republicans hate democracy and Democrats hate that Republicans hate democracy. Without Roe v. Wade to ignite the Democratic base, it’s safe to say Republicans would be easily winning all three branches of government. Why?

Because even Democrats are worried about the money. It’s all about the Benjamins, my friends. Even here in this once sleepy, progressive, bohemian mountain town.

When I moved here in 2007, Asheville was very liberal. There was nary a cause that the town wouldn’t rally behind. As communications director at MANNA FoodBank from 2008-2012, I knew I could always count on an enthusiastic and productive response to most any call to action. From the local media to churches, rotary clubs, music industry, local politicians, you name it, people showed up and showed out. Even Republican senators like Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr showed up or sent their surrogates to support the food bank. Blue Dog Heath Shuler always supported us and even ushered me around the U.S. Capitol on a lobbying visit for child nutrition services.

Imagine having to beg members of Congress to feed hungry children … I digress.

Things have changed, however. The town has changed. And I’m mostly OK with it. A lot of folks I moved here with have done very well and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle as “locals” or “townies.” I can’t complain, either. This town helped me build a successful career in communications that allowed me to work with politicians, high profile entertainers, nonprofits and large corporations.

But lately there’s been some things bothering me on my way to and from my downtown office.

Last night, as I was walking Pritchard Park, it hit me: Even the Democrats care more about the money than the cause.

What does Asheville prioritize over most anything else? Housing? No, there are nonprofits for that. Is it food for hungry kids? No, there are nonprofits for that. Local infrastructure? Yes, $54 million for the local baseball team owned by a billionaire from Ohio who doesn’t think women should have bodily autonomy.

More: Opinion: MLB should fund McCormick Field improvements, not Asheville taxpayers

Catching my drift yet? Even here in a once rabidly progressive, liberal, artistic mecca, we are beholden to the money first. But don’t take my word for it, just ask the Democratic politicians who run the town and then look around and what gets built and funded, and what doesn’t.

Sure, Asheville still is responsive and holds progressive values. Just like the national Democratic Party, they’re doing a good job of talking the talk. But they’re very cautious about stepping too far outside the bell curve of compassionate action. A lot of the more liberal politicians have faded in favor of the more … business minded folks. And that shows in the priorities of this town. We have to keep the tourist dollars coming in and doubling the population every weekend.

My main bone of contention is that Democrats, locally and nationally, care too damn much about money. Why? Because they need so much of it to run for office. And because they have to coddle the donor class first, who gets left behind? The majority of voters. That’s who. What happens to progressive values when pandering to the wealthy? A dilution.

So, here we are, heading into another election year where politicians will be screaming from the rooftops about how much money they’re going to need from us so they can tell us on the airwaves and our phones about what they might do. Elections are expensive. So expensive that Cheri Beasley ran for N.C. Senate and spent $28 million of her campaign donations on paid media ― $28 million out of a total of $38 million raised was spent on commercials. And she lost.

Of that money, $1 million to food banks in North Carolina would have paid for enough food for 5 million meals. Now, one would think that Democratic politicians would be in love with a concept such as this. But nope. Hungry children aren’t worth a fraction of the budget they spend on commercials.

Even the most progressive areas have to bend the knee to the money. And that makes me sad, but hopeful and grateful to live in a town with so much still to give.

Editor: Asheville Citizen Times encourages women to share their ideas and opinions.

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Joshua Stack is a communications professional and has worked as a political strategist for North Carolina senate and congressional campaigns. 

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Asheville's local infrastructure comes before food or housing