Editorial/Op
Elect People Who Listen
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It’s campaign time! Three more months of yard signs and campaigning. As you listen to what candidates say and write, remember that there are only two things that matter: Who they are, and whether they listen.WHO THEY ARE: The past is the best indicator of the future. Want to know what a candidate will do if elected? Look at what they did prior to asking for your vote.
The incumbents will always have a tough time convincing me that their next four years would be different than their last four, but if they have done a good job in office they have a ready-made platform for re-election.
For all candidates, promises are easy to make, especially when they don’t have to be kept. If a promise is not consistent with the candidate’s prior actions, it’s probably just an election gimmick.
DO THEY LISTEN: We elect people to represent us in making decisions on behalf of the entire community. Want to know if a candidate will actually represent you if elected? Ask yourself whether that candidate listens well enough to even know the needs and desires of those he/she wants to represent.
I have heard elected officials say that they were elected to make all the decisions FOR everyone else. I disagree. I believe they are elected to make decisions ON BEHALF OF everyone else, not FOR them. To me, FOR means someone has decided what you want and need, and ON BEHALF OF means they have listened and are trying to make decisions that reflect the will of the community.
The only way to know the needs, desires, and dreams of those you are asking to vote for you, is to care enough to ask, and then actually listen. Mia and I are almost through knocking on every one of the 1,650 voting doors in District 3, and if you were not home, we will be back. Some days the going is slow because so many people want to share their concerns and ideas. Those slow days are the BEST days, because those are the times when we get to listen.
As our November election day approaches, certainly consider the platforms of the candidates. Also recognize that even elected officials who listen to the community will never make everyone happy. However, take note of those who you believe have listened, and will listen, before making their decisions ON BEHALF OF the people of Central. Elect People Who Listen.
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