When it comes to politics, there are many issues at play. And when it comes time to vote, it can be difficult to know what to let go of and what is essential to hold onto. A good politician can inform you about an issue you never considered before. A great politician will move you to take steps to solve it.
But when it comes down to it, often I wish I could cut and paste pieces of candidates on both sides and merge them together. In the twenty years I’ve been a voter, I’ve yet to find the perfect candidate. These may be tough to discern, but I will try to read between the lines and make the attempt. For no other reason than to have a clear conscious when I mail my ballot.
As I go through the ballots on my desk this week and read up on candidates on both sides, I will pay particular attention to a few things and attempt to stay out of the weeds on specifics.
Elevate Value
Are they seeking office for their own gain or because they really want to make a difference?
How the candidate treats and talks about people- and not just the people they serve, but those who don’t agree with, is something I pay attention to. Leaders who put others down to prop themselves up are not leaders I want for my family. Are they belligerent to those on the other side? Are they attacking their opponent personally, their family?
I’m looking for elected officials who elevate the value of people over their own status and agenda. Those who seek to create opportunities for those who don’t have a way forward.
How are they seeking to help those who are barely making it? How we treat the poorest in our society says much about the content of our character.
Model Integrity
I want elected officials whose record backs up their talking points. I’m not looking for candidates who agree with every value I share or belief I behold. I just want the candidate I vote for to be the same candidate who goes to Washington. Don’t say you are for life and support bills that lead to death. Don’t boast of your family values and then let us find out you’re cheating on your spouse. I’d rather a candidate be truthful about who they are and what they believe, even if I don’t agree with them, then fake a persona to win a seat.
When you go to the polls in a few weeks, remember, the how will change; the why is what matters. A candidate campaigning on how is not going to go very far because the how changes. September 11th created many new hows that weren’t campaign promises. The candidate who focuses on why is more likely to find real, lasting solutions that rise about the here and now.
We need strong leaders in office who lead from the why and flexible with the how if we ever want to live in a country that truly desires to see harmony across party lines.