David Eppihimer: Pierson is right, Grijalva is no role model

Yes, Nick Pierson is understandably frustrated by the lack of progress in improvement in jobs, graduation rates and incomes in Congressional District 3. But it has nothing to do with Raúl Grijalva’s ethnicity. Rather it’s the disrespectful spectacle Grijalva makes of himself and his values that poorly reflects on his Mexican heritage and American citizenship. (Despite Pierson’s Anglo-sounding name, he shares the same Mexican heritage as Grijalva, but unlike him, works to honor and respect it).

Some believe Pierson’s words may have been inartfully chosen, but Grijalva’s behavior and record in public office is the problem, as it has been since his days on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.

The education of generations of Tucson’s kids has been sacrificed under the poor judgment and bad decision-making of Grijalva the father, and now under Grijalva the daughter, who’s running for a fifth term on the board of a school district that has seen a precipitous decline in enrollment as parents of both political parties and all ethnic groups refuse to allow their children to continue to be robbed of their educational chances by the Grijalva family.

Steller asks “Why should Grijalva be a good example of a Hispanic, or a Mexican (something he’s not, by nationality), or even a Mexican-American?”

The answer is simple and gets to the core of Pierson’s statements. As a representative of the people of CD3, Grijalva’s reputation does not portray the values of an upstanding citizen and government representative. For example, a federal employee alleged he was drunk on the job and created a hostile work environment. The complaint was settled with five months of salary — about $48,000 — in taxpayer dollars.

In short, he is no role model, regardless of ethnicity.

Steller states that “it’s fundamentally unfair to ask an American politician to adhere to an ethnic standard of behavior.” Really? Can’t we expect, and don’t we deserve, a representative who adheres to a minimum standard of behavior common to ethnic groups all over the world, especially those that reflect the community values of the district that he has represented over the past 16 years?

And which is worse: a Mexican-American using the word “Mexican,” (a word that to Pierson epitomizes good manners and proper decorum) rather than the term “positive role model” to describe the character traits a U.S. congressman should set as an example for our kids, our community and our country — or the damage Grijalva’s atrocious behavior has been causing for decades?

While Grijalva interprets Pierson’s views as “self-loathing and denial,” (where did he get this, Dr. Phil?) Pierson is actually energized by the challenge of turning around one of the poorest districts in the country.

After 16 years in office, Grijalva’s district still ranks at the bottom in jobs, education and opportunity. Pierson’s focus is to improve employment, education and health care, and implement immigration policies that will positively affect the prosperity and quality of life of those in CD3.

Grijalva, too, talks about making these changes, but after all these years in office, his leaving is the change we need.