Politics 101

In the midst of a year of rather turbulent politics, and one in which we might think that we can no longer have an impact on or control what happens in Springfield, we as constituents, instead, need to rally together and truly make our voices heard.

As voters we should take the responsibility of election seriously and never minimize the impact this duty will have on the decisions that are cast for us by the very officials we’ve elected.

My challenge then to you as conscientious citizens is to, in this election season, really take the time to inform and educate yourselves about the candidates running for office, this to the end that you might actually feel comfortable with the final decision you make when casting your ballot.

You might ask, “Well how do we do this, especially in light of the amount (and lack of quality) of information thrown at us that we have to filter through?”

I would propose that one of the ‘red herrings’ of the current political realm is that experience or the lack thereof, is often the focus of many candidates running for office. Of all the adjectives that are commonly used by candidates to describe the attributes that they possess to run for office, I believe that “experience” should actually fall last on the list!

The emphasis on experience as an attribute has gone to such an extent that much of society, and that includes us, has turned a blind eye to attributes that not only really count, but are desperately needed at this time in our nation’s history. Attributes such as: honesty, integrity, sincerity, and trustworthiness.  You might consider that with all the “experience” in Springfield, why is our state on the verge of financial collapse and disarray? 

Our nation needs a fresh imbuing of these character traits, and we need to be aware that they will not necessarily come in the packages of old or same-old, where being deemed ‘qualified’ in office was analogous to the amount of ‘time’ spent there.

Charlotte Brontë expressed the error of such a sentiment very well through the words of her young character, Jane Eyre. “I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.”

Candidates should not claim superiority just because they claim to have the “experience” (otherwise known as, “time on the Hill”) another candidate does not have and that therefore they have an edge in how well they represent their constituents.

We hear this fodder time and time again.

Webster’s Dictionary defines experience as, “the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation.” Note that the act of ‘direct observation or participation’ is but a means towards the end of ‘gaining knowledge’, and is not the end in itself. What do I mean to say? In simple terms, that although a man/woman may be physically present, it does not mean they actually have been affected by or have used that presence, to the end of actually gaining knowledge. And at times, the knowledge gained is not always of the purest or most beneficial form. I believe this all can certainly be said of some candidates running for office.

Allow me to repeat this sentiment: if I could name a thousand attributes, in order of importance, experience would fall last in the list.

Here is my short list of attributes according to importance:

Honesty

Integrity

Sincerity

Trustworthy

Leadership

Inspiration

Adaptable

Receptive

Thoughtful

Responsible

Self-assured

Sensitive

(Last) Experienced

Yet, the fact remains that one only gains experience by being given the chance to experience.

Without the opportunity to observe and participate, one cannot gain the “experience” that so many current politicians claim to have garnered. I propose that we need to apply a different filter to our personal decision-making process, so that we offer those who truly do stand for the values and character-traits we need and believe in, a chance and the experience of representing us.

In this election season let us be cognizant and alert to the presentations provided by those running for office to represent us, and ask ourselves whether theirs is a truly selfless undertaking.

Elections are not, and should not be, popularity contests.

They are not, and should not be, gender specific.

They are not, and should never be, career oriented.

Rather, as even the famous politician and current Prime Minister of England himself said, being elected and serving one’s constituents should be foremost about standing out as a person of, “Selfless duty. A rock of stability. Integrity. The highest standards in every respect.” ~ David Cameron (October 09, 1966 - )

Ask yourself if your candidates are reflecting these standards as they run for public office and seek to represent you!