Interesting timing, Charter Reform was the topic of discussion in my grad school class at SLU last night. Among the readings was an article published by my professor Dr. Todd Swanstrom and our Dept Chair Dr. Robert Croft titled, "Deja Vu All Over Again: Charter Reform Fails in St. Louis" (National Civic Review, Fall 2005). Our guest in class was Dr. Lana Stein, chair of UMSL's Political Science Dept and author of several books on St. Louis including, "St. Louis Politics: The Triumph of Tradition" (University of Missouri Press).

We looked at "machine politics" and how to reform them, as well as why reform attempts have failed in St. Louis. The basic message was reforms in St. Louis failed because of the process and the substance. These scholars shared my view that it was too top-down from Civic Progress --- the corporate elite of St. Louis.

Drs. Swanstrom & Cropf conclude their article with:

"Reformers in St. Louis have alienated themselves from the political class by posing reform as only about increasing the efficiency of the city governement and making the city more attractive to investors. In fact, a healthy local democracy must balance a strong executive with a strong legislative body capable of representing the interests of minorities and neighborhoods. Ultimately, the well-being of the city as a whole depends on the well being of its parts."

As luck would have it, the article I mentioned is linked from the original post -- the second link will take you to a page with the article.

Rubbish!

Charter reform in St. Louis failed for two reasons.

First, because a group of folks decided to play the race card. (Works every time!)

Second, because most of the elected establishment in the City opposed it. (Works even better!!)

The race card: that would be the billboards on the north side with the confederate flag suggesting blacks would lose their right to vote by reducing the number of elected positions? From the article reference above, "It turns out the billboards were paid for by a 33-year old white man who works in his family's bar, Colombo's, on the south side."

Urban Review-

Are you suggesting that only blacks play the race card?

The 33-year old white guy was trying to manipulate the vote, by intimidating black voters.

Racial politics. Machiavellian racial politics. Machiavellian St. Louis Racial politics.

Combine those efforts with most city politicians opposing charter reform, and you have a recipe for defeat.

Nothing new here.

"Are you suggesting that only blacks play the race card?"

Hardly. I was reminding everyone the race card was used by a white person to get blacks to vote against the amendments.