Sound Bite or Sound Criticism?

In the past week, much has been made about remarks made by State Senator Scott Frantz at the opening of the Republican Party headquarters in Greenwich. The statement, which asserted that the Democratic Party is “fundamentally un-American to push for concepts such as social justice,” has drawn outrage from his opponent Dan Dauplaise, DTC chair Frank Farricker, and others.

Those speaking out in defense of the comment have taken various positions. Frantz himself attempted to clarify the comment as referring to socialism, quite a large jump for one to make from social justice. In his letter recent letter to the Patch, Joe Kaliko argued that Frantz has “guts and character,” and that he is noble for standing up against “greedy people” who seek “redistribution of income and property without having earned it.” In addition, the letter discredits attacks on Frantz for it being an out of context “sound bite.” So – let’s look at the context.

Scott Frantz has held the state senate seat for the 36th district, which encompasses Greenwich, North Stamford, and West New Canaan, for four years. During that time, Connecticut has passed some impressive reforms in regard to “social justice.” Has Mr. Frantz been a part of or even voted in favor of these efforts? The overwhelming answer is no.

In 2009, Connecticut became one of the first states to legally recognize same-sex marriages. Mr. Frantz was one of only seven in the state senate to vote against the bill. He was only one of five to vote against a bill that banned discriminatory hiring practices. In the past year, he voted against a bill to do away with the death penalty in Connecticut and voted against the most sweeping education reform in the state in decades which sought to address the wide achievement gap in the state. Upon looking at his votes on these crucial issues, it becomes clear that Mr. Frantz’s comments do not reflect just a “sound bite,” but a pattern of disregard and antagonism concerning social justice for the citizens of Connecticut.

In his aforementioned article, Mr. Kaliko stated that Frantz had been a true public servant and a “senate extraordinaire.” As mentioned by his opponent Dan Dauplaise debate, being a state senator or “senate extraordinaire” means more than flying up to Hartford, pushing the no button, and flying home. The only shred of evidence cited by Mr. Kaliko that Scott Frantz is so good at his job as he claims? That the people of his district have elected and reelected him to his post.

This does not demonstrate how well Frantz has done. It merely highlights the fact that such a conservative district haven’t elected a Democrat since Allen Barton in 1930. But now, those in his district have a chance to stand up and show that they will not let candidates get away with such shocking statements, and equally shocking voting records. It is time for the people of Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan to assert themselves through the greatest power they have, the right to vote, in order to make their voices heard.

Social justice is not socialism. And its not what Scott Frantz meant when he called it un-American. Social justice is allowing people to get married to the one they love, regardless of sexual orientation. Social justice is lending a hand to disadvantaged students who need a stronger education system to get them on the right path. Social justice is exactly what Mr. Frantz has spoken against and what he has legislated against in Hartford. This November is the time for this unacceptable behavior to be stopped.