What Are Local Politicians Thinking About when They Sling Mud and Steal Signs?

NEWBURY, Ohio -- In my opinion local politics here in Northeast Ohio are beginning to resemble a shabby traveling circus sideshow versus a real political showdown. Politics are run differently out in the country where local campaigns are filled with mud slinging, and petty adventures like sign theft.

According to in The News Herald, an infraction of this nature was reported to Bainbridge police recently. In that report a Geauga County Commissioner, William S. Young, claimed to have witnessed Terry and Janet Carson removing the oppositions political party signs from a grass strip in front of a restaurant that has been closed down. Somehow Mr. Young just happened to be driving by at the time. Interestingly Janet Carson is the Chairwoman for the Geauga County Democratic Party, and Terry Carson told police that he owns the property where the signs were placed.

What this episode represents to me is that some political candidates have no fear of the negative press that comes with being bold about campaigning and have no fear of repercussions. I believe that the public deserves better, and that if these people want us to vote for them in any election then they should to stand up and act like responsible adults and ultimately act more like professionals.

What we need to do is focus these people back onto the issues, and make them understand that we are raising our standards to a level where only a professional person will fill the requirements. while I do feel it is important for the people involved in local politics to come from varied backgrounds it is also important they hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct both in office and in their community.

Which brings up another interesting question, the qualifications for many of these local political positions seem more like high school popularity contests than they are about selecting the best person for the job, one which will get things done for their city and its constituents.

If you look closely, stealing your opponents signs and using negative campaign tactics instead of focusing on the facts, they are acting exactly like a school yard bully! This is the kind of behavior that voters should not be tolerant of! It is time we make our voice heard and say "hey what the heck were you thinking?" As voters we need to get these future leaders to focus on the important issues at hand and not some petty rivalry.

How are we to know what to expect from these people once they are in office? If they don't respect other peoples opinions or property now then you have to wonder how they will perform their duties under public scrutiny. Will they get the job done, or will they just embarrass the local community by their childish actions?

We need to push hard to get all of our local politicians to begin acting more professionally. That would be a good first step towards creating a better political framework that the residents can depend on. We also need to stop tolerating these silly distractions and get everyone to focus on the real issues that are facing our residents and our communities.

So what does this action represent to me in the bigger picture? I feel that it is likely their behind the scenes activities could be construed as being even more sinister than some petty sign removals might indicate. Imagine what else they may be working on to undermine campaigns of their opponents.

I say just grow up and run a clean campaign for once!

Sources:
news-herald.com/articles/2010/10/19/news/nh3181537.txt