Lynch Pen : Voters shouldn’t forget dissatisfaction at the polls
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The current property tax assessment issue will provide adequate distraction so we can think about other issues than the general election in November. Ironically, we should focus as much on our election process as we do on the unreasonable assessments because they are directly related. The rules and regulations for how to evaluate property values (assess property ) is directed or guided by the State Legislature - a body that is made up of elected individuals. (See Constitutional Amendment 79. ) The implementation of those rules and regulations is done under the direction of an elected official - the county assessor. No doubt the irate property holders would like to go back to the May primary and add a few names to the choices of certain county elected officials, but that opportunity is gone and the anger over recent property assessments will be forgotten before the next opportunity to make changes two years from now. That is sad, but I fear probably true.
The more time I spend at events designed to allow a forum for expressing one's dissatisfaction over the actions of government entities, the more responses that are expressed acknowledging that we deserve what we are getting because of our apathy. Certainly there is merit to that statement but who actually responds by making any effort to change anything ? We often hear about voting the offending elected official out of office at the next election but no one seeks a qualified contender for the position or makes an effort to support someone opposing the incumbent when they come forward. How can "change "take place unless people get involved and stay involved ? Is the future of our nation worth giving up a few rounds of golf, a game or two at the new Arvest ballpark where the Naturals are playing, or any other activity that keeps one entertained ? I have two sons and six grandchildren and when I look at the enormous number of entertainment options (frequently mindless activities ) available for the hours not already dedicated to required things such as work or school, there seems to be little likelihood they see the problems looming in their futures.
For me personally, there seems to be no difference in the basic attitude of the two major parties in guiding our country. The character of the Republican Party, which I used to support seems different than the Republican Party that seeks financial support weekly and is already in the hole on mailing costs trying to solicit money from me. Apparently they believe that since I am a member of the Republican Party of Benton County I cannot possibly doubt their sincerity about what they promise to do for me, or what will befall me if the "other party "should get elected.
Ironically the NRA has sent me an equal number of requests for financial support to further its agenda. The same threats and promises accompany their needs as well. I supported Ron Paul in the Republican primary for president but most newspapers call him a Libertarian and he was not at a major meeting for Republican candidates at an NRA meeting early in the campaign season. Does that make me a Libertarian and / or a traitor to the Republican cause ?
As mentioned numerous times, I believe that we should make our choices and expend our efforts to support local candidates, regardless of political party affiliation. Too few people are willing to take time to be informed about the candidates who are available to even vote, much less take the risk of personally seeking qualified people to run for any particular office.
We are at a period of soulsearching in Benton County, in my estimation. Many people are unhappy with their real estate property assessments but can't seem to grasp the fact that it is too late to replace the assessor, the person who interprets the rules and guidelines for evaluating Benton County real estate. However, few people seem to recognize that if given a choice in November, they could replace the incumbent by their voting. There is no choice, however, because we "accept"the one party rule in county government. Every county-wide elected office is held by a Republican. Our Primary election choice was made in May, or early June, and the winners expect to be elected in November because they won the Republican Primary. If that works for you, you're okay. For me, I like a choice later in the year - like November - in case the "designee"stumbles between May and November.
I personally feel that anyone who is willing to seek public office and meets my personal criteria for qualification (and that includes character issues ) deserves my time to get to know enough about them to allow me to cast an informed vote. You might not agree with my assessment of the individual and have a much different set of qualifications and that's good. However, if the individual is going to make decisions that affect me, I want to have as much information as possible before I vote. The choice of an (R ) or a (D ) after the name is not part of my criteria for county offices because I have witnessed too many people change parties but not character. Each of us has a choice in many areas of our life that we feel unprepared to make - whether it be a job opportunity, family situation, investment opportunity or even our political choice. In the case of political choice unless we take time to inform ourselves, we are dependent on what the politicians tell us and it will definitely be skewed in their favor.
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