My husband just read me a story in the news about a House of Representatives member who said something that was lacking in… intelligence. I won’t say who nor will I categorize it as what it is, stupidity. Suffice to say, in an age where everything you say, everything you do becomes fodder for if nothing else, social media, better to keep your mouth shut than speak and prove you lack intelligence.
It is easy to shake one’s head and wonder how someone so inept could hold public office. How they could then use their public platform to disparage, criticize, spread false information or flat-out lie is mind-boggling. Seems they think being a member of the government somehow elevates them to a belief that they Must know what they are talking about. Perhaps they might even be an Authority. What a dangerous belief to hold. Unlike night following day, being elected to serve in any government job does NOT guarantee that person is capable enough to hold the job. But the fault doesn’t totally lie with the under-educated boob who holds a position in government, it also lies with You! Your vote put them in office.
I’ll give you two passes so you can sidestep responsibility in electing some incompetent loser even if they managed to raise enough money to mount a campaign after meeting the requirements necessary to run. Your first pass is believing, no matter how naively, the person running, making all the right promises, will keep those promises once in office. Any political aspiration is expensive! Television ads, billboards, televised debates, t-shirts, bumper stickers and campaign buttons cost a lot and you cannot have a successful campaign without them. Too much of a politician’s time is spent just raising money; for the next campaign and for the party and for other national campaigns. So when the lobbyists come knocking with their hands out full of cash if you’ll only include their special project in your next bill, it’s hard to say no. Even if it is to the detriment of other pressing interests.
The second pass will only work one time. You get one pass if you vote for someone based only on name/party recognition. You know the name because they’ve been in office forever and are up for re-election. Perhaps they are related to someone you know or your parents know. You went to school with them, their cousin or brother or aunt or wife. Or you bought all the family cars from their dealership, all your insurance or your home. But then you should ask yourself, “What do I really know about the candidate?” Do they share my morals, principles, my hopes for our country? Are they honest and trustworthy? Are they up to the job? Do they understand how government works, how laws work? Have they even read The Constitution or Bill of Rights? Do they understand their job description? Are they qualified for the job? Then you need to try to find the answers to those questions, before you fill out that ballot. **
Saying all politicians are alike, they all lie, speaks more about your antipathy than anything you think you know. It is beholden on each of us to know who we are voting for; to know the facts about community issues that need solving. An issue for a rural community may not be important to someone who lives in the city and vice versa but that shouldn’t dilute or negate either. The person who holds public office should be able to determine the importance of any issue and arrive at an equitable outcome. It’s up to each of us to educate ourselves on the issues, but particularly the people who are asking to let them be responsible for making things work for everyone in the community. Honest, upright people. Patriotic people who love this country and put this country ahead of themselves. Ones “who are ever mindful of the needs of others and grateful for what they have”. Who don’t see public office as a way to line their own pockets instead of caring for the needs of the people who voted for them.
The day of the under-educated voter should be over. Voting for the rich one or the one who has had the office for a decade or the one who just panders effectively must definitely be over. We have no one to blame but ourselves when crazy, irrational, unqualified persons get elected. We owe it to ourselves to get the best qualified, intelligent and capable representatives to be our voices. It’s more important than ever to raise your voice. Change is inevitable and if you want to be part of change in a positive way you need to get the most fitting people as your representative. But remember, once you use up your two free passes there won’t be anyone to blame but you if someone crazy manages to slip through. Complaining that you or your views are not being heard will be on you. It’s time to think, to do your homework. Don’t be left out of what promises to be a much brighter future.
**A pet peeve of mine** I think if someone runs for public office, especially the top job, they should, at the very least, be able to pass a citizenship test. Or at least a test about American history, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights or basic Constitutional law. It could benefit their ability to govern effectively. Having a rudimentary understand of how government came to be and how things work just might come in handy!
Soosey’s Ruminations 