Hello colleagues and fellow FDA delegates. Most of you know me, some might not. For those of you who don't, I'm Carlos Sanchez and I served in the HOD for 24 years, even chaired our SF delegation for 5-6 years. I'm writing this because I see a problem we've had for years, getting worse and coming to a head with no signs of improvement. Many of you may be well aware of this but some newer delegates may not and I want to inform you. I urge all of you to read this and come to your own conclusions, the FDA's future depends on you.
We've always had some senior delegates and chairs who believe they know best and the delegation should heed their every command, including doing what you're told in the form of block voting and God forbid you back a well qualified candidate they dislike. They have little use or tolerance for dissension and make that fact well known. Those of you in the afflicted districts know who they are and what I'm referring to. Naturally, new delegates may feel overwhelmed by the process and look to their more experienced colleagues for guidance. They may even feel that these folks have been there and done that, so their opinions and advice have more weight than a newer member's logic and instincts. If these senior leaders had a stellar record to go with their talk, it could be argued that their word is gospel and should not be ignored. So, is that the case?
In past years, the FDA has run 3 candidates for ADA President , all from the WC district, who not only lost but lost big. They didn't lose because they weren't qualified, hard working candidates, they simply did not connect with enough voters to defeat their opponents. All 3 were anointed by the leaders I'm referring to, especially those of the West Coast and Northwest districts. It's no secret that the ADA's FL delegation is not held in the highest estimation nationwide, at least certainly not come presidential election time. Talk is cheap but actions speak loudest and the ADA House has soundly rejected our presidential candidates thrice. Some of that is unavoidable because much of the nation's blue states would love to flood sunny FL via reciprocity or licensure by credentials, which we oppose. But history shows that this mindset can and has been overcome. During recent years FL has run 2 vice-presidential candidates from the SF & AC districts, both of whom were successfully elected. Okay, I know there are big differences in the ADA Pres. election versus the V.P. electoral process. That said, the fact remains these 2 were not embraced by the aforementioned wizards of smart and even ran in spite of their admonitions to cease and desist, still winning handily at the ADA's HOD elections. This was especially true of our previous victorious ADA Veep. So,why was this winning candidate opposed by her higher ups? The reasons given were lame-she wasn't ready, it wasn't her time, she'd lose badly and take down our subsequent presidential candidate with her, etc., etc. All of that turned out to be dead wrong. I believe the opposition from those districts was simply because of envy and resentment over the fact a less senior member accomplished something they could not and refused to let them rain on her parade. It's sad to say that 2-3 of our own SF district's delegates went along with this petty opposition. It gets worse.
These same leaders from the WC & NW districts still go out of their way to do whatever they can to hurt this now former ADA veep, including systematically block voting her out of our ADA delegation. I doubt I'm the only person who thinks it's ridiculous that a person who ran and managed to win a national campaign, with limited or no support from some of her FL colleagues, is deemed unqualified to represent her state at the HOD of the same organization in which she once held its second highest office. Stop for a moment and think about what a slap in the face this is, especially to someone who's sacrificed time away from practice and family to do what most of us won't. This is not healthy and certainly not good for future Floridians who are qualified candidates and feel that their merits should be the most important factor in their campaign, not kissing the rings of disgruntled senior members who want to stamp their authority on the FDA.
We have an upcoming member who's had great success at both the FDA and ADA levels looking at a possible run for ADA Pres. He's got an good chance but needs the support of our entire state, including the funds it takes to run for ADA Pres. Can any of you imagine an NFL coach benching a talented impact player for personal resentment and putting in one more likely to fumble or drop a pass in a big game? The New England Patriots may not all love each other dearly and their coach is often seen as not a very nice guy, but his record of success is legendary. That personality based bias is what's been happening in the FDA and the only hope for ending it is if the grassroots delegates speak out, refuse to be bullied and vote their conscience. Stand up to any capricious vindictiveness and tell your leadership you wanna win elections and not run the FDA like the hapless Miami Dolphins. Let them know we are all volunteers, don't get paid for time away and appreciate at least that small level of recognition and confidence in our judgement and decision making process. If it takes writing letters to the FDA, do it! FL is deeply divided and cannot stand, let alone succeed, until we deal with this problem and neutralize any who don't have the greatest overall good of our FDA at heart. We have real enemies we should be confronting and defeating, like Pew, Kellogg & their DHAT invasion plans, not fighting each other! I realize this letter might anger some of my colleagues. I really don't mind and prefer to speak out, as I've encouraged all of you to do. If any of you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Thank you.
Carlos
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