Is it just me, or does it seem to you that we have been in a constant state of campaigning and elections since 2015? Maybe it is because I’m older and time passes more quickly than when I was younger; or maybe it is because we barely finish with one election cycle before campaigning for the next series begins. I mean, come on… every two years there is a Congressional election. Every 4 years it is national, state, and local office holders. If there are more than two people running for the same office, there will most likely be a run-off to determine the winner. So I'm wondering...Why does anyone run for public office?
Don’t get me wrong—I am an active participant in the voting process and have been since I was 18. I believe in the process, but the fact that running for office at any level has become more of a money and power game than wanting to represent the people that a candidate will represent may be a major reason why fewer people participate in the voting process.
I ran for office once… in high school in the 1970’s. (Yes, I am ancient). I wanted to serve as an officer on the Student Council, so I ran for the position of secretary. At the tender age of 16, I gained first-hand knowledge of how appearance, popularity, and money impacted people’s opinions. I was not in the “popular” crowd in my high school; I was not a cheerleader or even well-known. My campaign posters were hand made by my close friends contrasted with the professionally printed signs of my opponent. Still, I prepared my speech for the assembly of the student body and garnered the courage to stand on stage before more than 1,000 teenagers to inform them of my qualifications. Just as I began my speech, the microphone went dead, so only the first 10 rows of students could hear what I was saying. The only sentence that the entire audience heard was the beginning of my opening statement: “Last night as I was reading my Bible…” and then the PA system died. Of course, as a teenager, I was humiliated by that experience. The audience of “mature adolescents” collapsed into raucous laughter at my attempt at public speaking, and for days after that fiasco, I was taunted by comments like, “Hey Bible girl” or worse. (Because as we all know, teenagers are very understanding and kind by nature.) Oh, and obviously, I lost the election.
What is my point? Running for elected office at any level is not easy. The individuals running for office have made the decision to put themselves (and their family) in the public eye and under scrutiny. He or she will propose a direction for the future in hopes of being selected to represent others. This is not a small decision.
So, once again I will participate again in the election process. I have personally communicated with some of those who are candidates for our local elected offices. I will select the person I believe will do the best job to lead our city, county, state, or nation in the right direction. Once the election results are decided, I will do my best to accept the decision and continue to participate by holding the officials accountable. This is how our country was designed to function.
Elections are the foundation on which our nation is built. Make your selection of candidates wisely. The direction of our future depends on it.
