The Mayor of Fort Lauderdale is remarkably clueless

Here’s the form letter you get from Mayor Jack Seiler, Man of the People, when you write protest the arrest of Arnold Abbott, WWII vet and feeder of the homeless (with commentary from Yr. Obdt. Svt.):

Thanks for your input and for caring.  I truly appreciate the concern and respectful approach.

The problem with form letters is that when the correspondent writes (as the reader who forwarded this did): “Please, Mr. Seiler, try to summon a modicum of decency &, following a public apology to Mr. Abbott, resign. It is a great pity that film and radio and other modern inventions have lessened the opportunities of the public to meet politicians face to face and tear them to pieces.” – G.K. Chesterton, Buffalo Evening News” you either sound pathologically incapable of grasping human emotion, profoundly stupid, or sarcastic and contemptuous.

Perhaps you are not aware that I personally do substantial charitable work for the homeless here in South Florida, volunteer at the local homeless assistance center, contribute financially to assist homeless programs and benefits, and work on several successful homeless veterans programs and projects.

I I I I Me Me Me.  Smart.  And “perhaps you are not aware” is the officious bureaucrat’s way of addressing those he deems less intelligent social inferiors

We did not realize that requiring the homeless be fed in safe, secure and sanitary conditions would be deemed by the media as an attack on the homeless.  We did not ban feeding the homeless in the City of Fort Lauderdale and we did not make it illegal to feed the homeless, we only regulated the location of those feedings.  In fact, there are numerous locations where homeless feedings may be legally held in the City, including our downtown.

None of which is to the point.  What is to the point is that you have created a bureaucratic regime that arrests and punishes 90 year old war heroes for doing works of mercy, because your need for power and control is more important to you than him or the people he serves.

Further, the cycle of homeless and homelessness on the streets of Fort Lauderdale is unacceptable, and I will do everything possible to get them off the streets and into the right programs, to the appropriate facilities, and to the proper resources necessary to turn their lives around.

You need to understand the principle of subsidiarity and get it through your skull that Arnold Abbott is your friend, not your competitor or enemy.

Your assistance is also appreciated.

Not a problem!  Let me assist you toward the death of your political career by reminding my readers that your email is jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov and your phone number is 954-828-5003 and that they should continue to make your life as difficult as possible till you drop all charges, issue Mr. Abbott and the human race an apology, and resign so a better human being than you can take your place.

Best wishes.

John P. “Jack” Seiler
Mayor
City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Not much longer I hope.