Exploiting Corona Virus

I knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of time. It was just like people exploiting "El Paso Strong" for everything from political campaigns to selling used cars.

People will never pass up the opportunity to cash-in on a tragedy or the suffering of others. I can't stop it - and believe me, I wish I could.

But I can at least call it out when I see it. I honestly can't believe I have to say this out loud, but you shouldn't be trying to raise money for your political campaign during a time when we are all hunkered down because of the Coronavirus.

People are suffering and out of work because of this virus.

Seniors and folks with compromised immune systems are locked up in their homes out of fear of catching a virus that is very deadly to them.

This is not the time for you to be asking for their money.

Or sponsoring social media ads about all the "charity" work you're doing for others. That is trying to capitalize on the plight of others and is downright shameful.

And yet the chair of our El Paso Democratic Party is doing just that. I have a blog about why a chair should never be able to run for office, but I'll get to that some other time.

But this activity is embarrassing.

And before y'all start making excuses for her - I don't fault her allegedly wanting to help the less fortunate out right now. But when she advertises it on her campaign page - that is overtly political - and embarrassing.

And she's also trying to raise money too.

Don't believe me?

I thought not, which is why I have a screenshot.

This was a post from March 17, well after all the Coronavirus stuff started...I know this because she had a fundraiser scheduled that had to be canceled because of the virus.

I'm embarrassed as a life-long Democrat and I'm embarrassed as an El Pasoan that we have political figures that would try to raise money for their coffers online while many of you are starting to worry about how long it will be before you can get back to work and get some money flowing again.

Look, I get it.

She's a candidate and she has political aspirations. But they can't be more important than the every day lives of El Pasoans. You can't be tone-deaf to the needs of the very people she wants to represent. Do you know how many people are out of work in her own backyard because Speaking Rock is closed?

She's a wealthy attorney from the westside who lives in a gated community and in a much different place financially than the people that live around her. You'd think that at a minimum, a bare minimum, she would understand that concept. There'll be time for political aspirations.

But now is not it.

Times like this reveal character. There are two types of leaders during a crisis - the ones that are trying to benefit from it and get attention, and the ones trying to solve problems for their constituents.  And don't tell me she's not trying to capitalize off of it, because there wouldn't be multiple and sponsored posts about it.

Now is about getting through the next few weeks, together as a community. Now should not be about Iliana Holguin's political aspirations.