Within a few days, Americans will cast their votes for those who they believe will best take our country forward. Sadly, the tone of the elections on the national, state, and local levels no longer focuses on what is best for Americans. Instead, the political tone is downright nasty.
So why should we care about the tone of the elections? Well, if for no other reason, we should care because it defines the future for our children, grandchildren, and their children. Because of the hatred being spewed on both sides of the aisle, we lose our focus on the issues that matter. We also spend too much time arguing with friends and neighbors about the personalities of candidates and ignore what the candidates will do for our communities once elected.
Remember, electing our next generation of leaders is not a beauty contest. It is not about who has the best one liner; or the best campaign signs; or the best endorsements. Elections are about what the candidate will do the day after they are sworn into office and for the days that follow until the end of their term of office.
The day after the election, after the candidates are chosen, many of us go back to our everyday routines and end our involvement in governing our nation, our state, our counties, and our local communities. We seem to forget that those elected continue to be accountable to the citizens. Those elected oftentimes forget that their election did not bestow upon them the right to turn their backs on the citizens. Unfortunately, what we often see are elected officials who once elected show their real colors as featherbedders, that is, elected officials who are only concerned with rewarding their friends with unnecessary jobs, contracts, or other giveaways.
So, the rhetorical question is why should we care? Well, the starting point for this rhetorical question is because it is just not fair to all of those who participated in the election. Whether a person voted for or against a candidate, those elected need to be accountable to all citizens. Sadly, once elected many candidates turn to “smoke filled back rooms” with their powerful inner circle to make decisions which impact everyone for years into the future.
Whatever happened to open and accountable government? Whatever happened to the days when elected officials actually listened to the people? Honestly, one hour a month at a fiscal court meeting or a school board meeting or a city council meeting or any other meeting is certainly not enough time to allow the citizens to have a voice. Of course, if we do not participate in our government, then we are responsible for the results of the smoke-filled backroom decisions which are made long before these farcical open meetings. These smoke-filled backroom decisions end up costing all of us millions of dollars for projects, projects which are rewards for the small inner circle of friends of the elected candidate.
Remember, there is not a single elected office on the ballot that does not count. Each and every elected office has the potential of costing all of us millions of dollars in tax dollars. Long after the elected official is no longer in office, many of their decisions will continue to be paid for with our tax dollars. So, when you vote, remember that your vote counts not only now, but potentially for years to come.
In the end, the words of Ronald Reagan still ring true today when he said, “Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” It is time to take control of our future once again, it is time to say enough is enough. It is time to not only vote, but it is also time to demand accountability from all elected officials. It is time to send a resounding message that government belongs to the people, not simply for the rich and powerful who meet in “smoke-filled backrooms” and dole out millions of dollars of tax dollars to their friends.
So, when you cast your vote this year, remember, vote like your future depends on it, because it does!
