http://www.sfexaminer.com/sfbarf-goes-progressives-political-jugular/
SFBARF goes for progressives’ political jugular
Far from being an “astroturf” group, Trauss said, SFBARF’s goals are simply aligned with those who have money.
“We’re not fighting The City,” she said. “The City is with us. Minions of affordable housing, service providers, they’re used to holding up [development] projects to extract concessions for the developers.”
Even Peskin is nuanced when it comes to housing. He’s opposed some projects but also backed the Eastern Neighborhoods Plan, which transformed South of Market into a density lover’s paradise.
Still, for all the political Molotov cocktails Trauss has thrown, she’s eager to listen, and engages in respectful dialogue. So I was frank: Does SFBARF’s voice drown out the voices of activist groups, because SFBARF is aligned with monied interests?
Trauss responds with another question. “Have you read ‘The Prince?’” referring to the 16th-century political treatise by Niccolo Machiavelli.
“He said that what you want is equal and strong kind of lords,” Trauss said. Public factions advance their interests, she explained, by allying with wealthy classes who in turn advance their own interests.
Following her train of thought, SFBARF has simply allied itself with the wealthiest interests in the room. And as long as they do, SFBARF’S voice will be elevated.
