Running for a public office is hard work. The hours are long, the issues are vast and the outcome is critically important. Indeed the position of a candidate is one that many don’t aspire to find themselves in. Fortunately however, there are some people who rise to the call of duty and are prepared to run their specific race to the fullest extent.
While the role of a political candidate is hard work, the role of the voting public can be even more challenging.
Political seasons are full of candidates trying to encourage the public why they are the best person for the job, why their agenda items are most important, and why their solutions will be highly effective. And in the midst of all of this mumbo-jumbo, residents have to separate the authentic stuff from the fake. It’s incredibly easy for voters to be deceived — particularly with the plethora of yard signs, print ads, television commercials and even debates. So, while the job of a candidate is hard, that of a voter — the concerned residents like you and I — is even harder.
Years ago I used to not be as politically aware as I am today. I remember a time when I’d vote, but I wasn’t particularly sure why I was voting for a specific person; it could have been because their name stuck out in my mind, their commercial was funny, they were related to my college roommate’s second cousin twice removed — the reasons at the time made absolutely no sense to me. I’m glad that over the years I’ve not only matured, but also learned the importance of carefully researching each candidate to ensure that they most effectively represented my views.
Politics is a gambling game. I think that was more than evident during Indiana’s last gubernatorial election when the public voted for the candidate with the catchy slogans, big trucks and encouraging promises. However, once elected, those catchy slogans haunted the people who voted him into office, the big trucks weren’t so fancy looking and the promises had already began to be broken.
Politics is a tremendous gamble and that’s why in addition to researching and learning the facts about specific candidates, you also have to let experience be a determining factor. The previous and present experience of a candidate is extremely important. You’ve all heard that a person’s word is his bond; well in regards to political candidates aspiring to be our leaders, experience should be the bond.
With only days away from perhaps the most important presidential primary the United States has ever seen as well as a highly contested congressional race, let experience be the determining factor of which candidate you’ll vote for. Don’t consider the experience of a particular candidate’s relative or that of the people around them. Instead consider what that particular individual has done to assure you that they are effective. Consider what that particular person has accomplished to emphasize their candidacy. Also, consider how that person will represent you — not themselves and their inner circle — but you, that concerned citizen who needs your voice heard.
Indiana as well as the rest of the country is in a detrimental place. Now is not the time to play party politics and elect a candidate based off another individual’s merit. Now is not the time to be sweet-talked into thinking that someone is here to represent you when they actually aren’t. Now is not the time to be swayed by affiliations candidates might have with others. Now is the time however, to elect someone who is trusted. We need our next president, Congressperson, governor, school board representative and judge to be someone who is hardworking. We need these people to be compassionate and sensitive to our needs and those of our children so that when they’re elected, they won’t disappoint us like the last administration.
We have real problems and now is the time for real leaders.
I find tremendous comfort in knowing that when I vote on May 6, I’ll vote for candidates who have a proven record of effectiveness, not those who just talk about it. I hope that when you vote, you’ll have that same sincere comfort in knowing that you voted for people who haven’t just talked the talk, but who have always and will continue to walk the walk.
