Important to do our job during election season
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Our country is in a meltdown situation like no other we have ever seen. We are seeing crisis after crisis in so many different areas – law enforcement, illegal immigrants and border security, economic issues, and government overreach, to name a few.
Is there anything that we, as legal citizens of this country, can do to correct the path we are on? Yes, but it takes work and time on our part that I’m afraid most of us just don’t want to invest.
First, we have to admit there IS a problem. That in itself “should” be a no-brainer, but there are many of us who do not pay any attention to the news (slanted as it may be), and then ask questions. As I’ve said before, I just cannot understand how people can see issues so entirely different when they are right in front of their faces if they would only open their eyes and minds!
How can anyone not see the increases in crimes, drug deaths, sex/human trafficking, homeless people (legal and illegal), increases in the cost of food and supplies, and increases in utility costs? If there is ANYONE out there who can really show they are better off today than they were three years ago I’d like to hear from them!
We have law enforcement officers all over the country being attacked and killed with very few consequences for the perpetrators – even released with no bail and a card to come back for court. If the law enforcement officers try to protect themselves they open themselves to prosecution. This is backwards.
Thousands and thousands of our citizens are dying from fentanyl that is being brought from China through Mexico, mixed into other drugs and sold on our streets. People of all walks of life are being smuggled into our country who are then forced into sexual slavery to repay the cost of getting to our country. These are women, children and men. Our cities are being overrun by people sleeping on their streets, blocking access to homes and businesses. Illegal immigrants are being housed in schools, community centers, hotels, and airports, displacing the taxpayer citizens who should be utilizing these facilities.
Because of cuts to our oil and gas production, the cost of goods has increased in outrageous amounts that make it exceedingly difficult for low-income families to provide for their families. While we have been experiencing extreme weather issues all over the country, the cost of heat continues to increase for all of our citizens.
Mixed into all of the above is an attempt by our government to control who can and cannot be on ballots for “WE THE PEOPLE” to vote for. Elected officials are chosen BY the people, not picked from people the government approves of. We all have the right to vote for the person of our choice in the primary elections. It is NOT up to the government to decide who can and cannot be on the ballot.
It is our responsibility to research, question and investigate the candidates who put themselves forward to run for office. If we do OUR job, we can choose people of integrity and honesty who share our values. If we don’t do our job, we might make our decisions on looks, lies, or misinformation. Either way, it’s OUR decision.
On a local level, we tend to vote for people because they are a relative, a friend, a relative of a relative, a friend of a friend, someone we went to school with, someone we go to church with, or just because we recognize their name. It doesn’t seem to matter if the person is actually qualified for the job or if they even fully understand what the job is.
Too many people want to run for office just for the recognition, the salary, or the retirement. They don’t really want to do the work that is involved to be of service to the citizens. They don’t return phone calls, show up at community meetings or events, hold forums to answer questions, or make themselves available to the citizens. But we vote them right in and then complain about what they aren’t doing – but then turn around and reelect them! Who is the fool in this scenario? Just because someone is elected (or even just hired) they are NOT entitled to that position until they decide to step down or reach the retirement age.
If we have an elected or appointed official we don’t think is doing a good job, it is up to US to vote against them or report their failures. Keep in mind – our tax dollars pay their salary. We deserve to receive their full and complete attention to our needs and rights, not just the things that will increase their own status.
Elections are not a popularity contest. If a job calls for someone who is a good communicator then we shouldn’t vote for someone who is not an outgoing speaker. If a job calls for someone who can organize an office or maintain fail-safe records, we shouldn’t vote for someone who isn’t organized in their private life. If a job calls for someone who can make difficult decisions that can affect an individual’s future, we don’t need to vote for someone who makes quick decisions based on the identity of a person.
Folks, we have many hard decisions to make on March 5. They will determine the next two, four and six years of our lives and the lives of our children. These are not decisions to be made lightly. Please take some time to make up your own mind and not just be a sheep following instructions. If you have been a follower before, how have those decisions worked out for you? If you are not happy with how things are going, it just might be time to think for yourself.