I agree with Keith. Too many times I have reached out to elected officials from the other party than the one I voted for and my opinion is discounted or simply ignored! Some of following their conscience and some are following their party and sometimes that is the same fit but sometimes it is not. If their personal opinion is what we elected them for, they don't represent us, just themselves.
I wholeheartedly agree with you Steve! I have spent many years, and still do, working with communities around the state, dealing with all types of elected officials. While most in my earlier years approached their roles as you have described, too many over the years have forgotten about those who hold different views. We, the electorate, have contributed greatly to this condition as many people don’t vote. The community I work for only had 274 voters out of almost 2700, cast votes last Tuesday. With turnouts like that, you only need to identify the key group and “rally” around those that will vote. You then continue to “serve” that group to maintain the office. We have forgot our roles and responsibilities as citizens. We demand our rights, but refuse the responsibilities that those rights also demand. As you mentioned in your article, we all need to recognize and understand the differences amongst one another and then work toward the greater good, which may be a bit different then “my way” or “your way” but is best for all of us.
Thanks for the “soapbox”. I’m getting opinionated in my “old” age.
I agree with Keith. Too many times I have reached out to elected officials from the other party than the one I voted for and my opinion is discounted or simply ignored! Some of following their conscience and some are following their party and sometimes that is the same fit but sometimes it is not. If their personal opinion is what we elected them for, they don't represent us, just themselves.
Thanks for joining the conversation
I wholeheartedly agree with you Steve! I have spent many years, and still do, working with communities around the state, dealing with all types of elected officials. While most in my earlier years approached their roles as you have described, too many over the years have forgotten about those who hold different views. We, the electorate, have contributed greatly to this condition as many people don’t vote. The community I work for only had 274 voters out of almost 2700, cast votes last Tuesday. With turnouts like that, you only need to identify the key group and “rally” around those that will vote. You then continue to “serve” that group to maintain the office. We have forgot our roles and responsibilities as citizens. We demand our rights, but refuse the responsibilities that those rights also demand. As you mentioned in your article, we all need to recognize and understand the differences amongst one another and then work toward the greater good, which may be a bit different then “my way” or “your way” but is best for all of us.
Thanks for the “soapbox”. I’m getting opinionated in my “old” age.
Thanks for the feedback. Always welcome your thoughts.