Democracy is a political government carried out either directly by the people, direct democracy or using elected representatives of the people, representative democracy. The term comes from the Greek word: dēmokratía “rule of the people,” which was coined from dêmos “people” and krátos “power.”
Most democracies today are representative. The concept of representative democracy arose largely from ideas and institutions that developed during the European Middle Ages and the Enlightenment and in the American and French Revolutions. Democracy has come to imply universal suffrage, competition for office, freedom of speech and the press, and the rule of law.
Hypocrisy is the act of persistently professing beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities or standards that are inconsistent with one’s actions. Hypocrisy is thus, a kind of lie. Hypocrisy is also of Greek origin: hypocrites “play-acting,” i.e. the assumption of a counterfeit persona, which gives the modern word hypocrisy its negative connotation.
A labor union is an organization of workers joined to protect their common interests and improve their working conditions. It serves as an intermediary between the employer and the employees. The primary purpose is to give workers the power to negotiate more favorable working conditions through collective bargaining. The Thomas administration has given the middle finger to labor rights and workers rights in the Mount Vernon City Government.
The Richard Thomas Administration has harassed, violated and disregarded labor rights or many union workers with no accountability. Mayor Thomas has created an atmosphere that is anti-labor, anti-union and anti-people.
Today CSEA voiced a list of blatant violations by Mount Vernon Mayor Richard W. Thomas of having an administration filled with nepotism and violations of collective bargaining agreements and workers rights have show Thomas’ Hypocrisy in Mt. Vernon’s so-called Democratic system.
According to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the rights of members and workers have been thrown under the bus by the current Thomas Administration. The union question Thomas’ action when he fires qualified employees and replaces them with unqualified workers.
As Publisher of Black Westchester, I have also questioned his appointee, one in particular “Alleged” Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio, who has no previous Law Enforcement Experience and is a professional Garbage Man. The statements by CSEA just solidified my questioning of Thomas’ quid-pro-quo of campaign donors appointed to positions they are not qualified for.
The Thomas administration and his political appointees continued to fatten their pockets while many workers with no political affiliation are fired for retribution. Others are harassed and threatened by those in the Thomas Circle. The actions of the Thomas administration is far from the “Change” that Thomas promised on the campaign trail to Mayor.
The Thomas administration has become a circle of confusion. The Thomas cabinet hardly exists. There is no Police Commissioner, Human Resource Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, and no DPW Commissioner and the hard city workers that make the city run are walking around on eggshells in fear of being fired. Many that remain in Thomas administration have paper clip job titles and some with no working knowledge of how their departments are run and by whom. So the change that the ordinary people voted for has become the same bureaucracy and financial chaos that they didn’t want and do not deserve.
A CSEA representative said, “in three years Thomas Administration would regret what they are doing.” The biggest threat to tyranny is the people mobilizing for elections in Mt. Vernon. In my Analysis of the Mobutu Syndrome in the Thomas Administration, we see the result of Black Leadership (Mayor Richard Thomas) Controlled by unseen hands are Detrimental to the Black Community and the Future of Black Politics in Westchester.
The Thomas Administration should remember their historical landslide victory. It didn’t happen by just being on Facebook. It was the majority of people, their families, and friends that stepped up on voting day and elected him to the office of Mayor of Mount Vernon, with hope for a change for the better. It is incumbent of Mayor Thomas to create an atmosphere that reflects a responsible and fair government.
The way it looks, it’s going to be too late, the damage has been done, many workers have file notice of claim on thier violations. Mt. Vernon is an incestuous city, you do one wrong that affect ripples to many families. Unfortunately for Thomas but fortunate for the people; he is “one and done”.
What Thomas has brought to Mt. Vernon is Tyranny in the form of a hypocritical government process that the ordinary person have said enough is enough!
Damon K. Jones
Damon K. Jones is an Activist, Author, and Publisher of Black Westchester Magazine, a Black-owned and operated newspaper based in Westchester County, New York.
Mr. Jones is a Spiritual Life Coach, Couples and Family Therapy Coach, Holistic Health Practitioner, First Aid in Mental Health Practioner, Diet and Nutrition Advisor, and Vegan, Vegetarian Nutrition Life Coach.
Mr. Jones is a 32-year Law Enforcement Practioner New York Representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America.
Mr. Jones has been a guest commentator on New York radio stations WBLS (107.5 FM), WLIB (1190 am), WRKS (98.7 FM), WBAI (99.5 FM), and Westchester's WVOX (1460 am). Mr. Jones has appeared on local television broadcasts, including Westchester News 12 "News Makers" and Public Television "Winbrook Pride. You can now hear Damon every Wednesday at 830 AM on WFAS at 1230 AM, Morning with Bob Marone Show.
