What do I look for in a candidate?
- Honesty
- Understanding of the proper principles of good government
- Hard working
- Eloquent and persuasive
“Eloquent and persuasive” is last on my list but it seems to be human nature for us to vote based mostly on charisma. Whenever I find myself being impressed more by the person than what they stand for I remind myself that Adolf Hitler was charismatic. Could you find a leader more persuasive, more eloquent than Adolf Hitler? The greatest tyrants are usually full of charisma.
Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.” (The Federalist Papers, No. 1)
Persuasion is good only when used to help effectively accomplish the right goals. If you think all the candidates are dishonest and ignorant of the principles of free government then you might consider voting for the candidate that is least effective and persuasive.
Honesty is the most important quality. I may agree with everything a candidate says but if I can’t trust him or her then I never know when they might sell me out. An honest candidate that disagrees with me is more likely to serve my interests than a corrupt candidate that only pretends to agree with me.
When evaluating a candidate’s ideology I look first at the principles the candidate espouses. Then I evaluate their stand on the issues. Does their stand on specific issues reflect their stated principles? If they really do base their views on principles then I can generally predict how they will feel about new issues that arise during their term of office. If there is no correlation between stated principles and their stand on issues then I’d guess that either they aren’t being honest about what they really believe or they don’t really know.
Once someone is elected, even if I didn’t support them, I believe in giving them the benefit of the doubt. It is difficult to create unambiguous, useful laws and to resolve complex issues. Also, you can condemn their decision without condemning the person. While I will question the wisdom of a particular politician I try never to guess at their motives. Only God can see the heart.
We are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question. (The Federalist Papers, No. 1)
I try to be patient with elected officials that are trying to apply the principles I agree with, even when I disagree with how they apply them–at least until it becomes obvious that they aren’t really guided by the principles they claim. If I disagree with them on some minor particular? Big deal.
When we get involved, find out more details, come to see other people’s point of view, recognize the complexities of the situation we often discover that our own position has shifted. “Oh, that’s why they do it that way. Makes perfect sense now.”
Hopefully this will help you evaluate candidates for any political office and help you determine who will best represent you.
Principles
“I should like to adopt political doctrines that would live longer than my dog.” Former U.S. President James Garfield
Our nation was founded on the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Most of my political views are built on that same foundation.
Responsive to the majority while protecting the rights of the minority
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.
At any level of government an elected official should represent the needs of the governed. However, the actions of the official should reflect the wishes of the majority only if the majorities respects the unalienable rights of the minority.
Federalism
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. (Constitution, Amendment X)
Our constitutional form of government creates divisions between executive, legislative, and judicial function, divisions between national and state responsibilities, and other checks and balances. Some activities that are inappropriate for national interference are important for a community. For example, I don’t think there is any legitimate reason for a U.S. Department of Education. It seems like everything they put out, including in “No Child Left Behind,” is flawed social engineering. Education is local issue.
Morality, respect, tolerance
We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other. John Adams
Our children need to learn, from our example, that we respect the law, even when there isn’t a police officer watching. If we can encourage respect and tolerance in our community we can continue to have a safe, friendly community.
A heartfelt morality motivates people to be good citizens as well as honest leaders. Many of our laws are necessary only because we don’t always show respect for others or respect for rules. For example, a few years ago the city council discussed changes in regulations for Lambert Park. They discussed adding huge fines for anyone caught riding off the roads. This is unfortunate but necessary because some who use the park have failed to show respect for the rules. This also shows a lack of consideration for everyone else who uses the park. Recently the Mayor spoke about the same issue in the Alpine Newsline.
We also get regular complaints about the use of off-road vehicles on the west side of town. . . . they are racing by, dragging mud on the street. Before we need to get into strong-arm enforcement, let’s see if we can’t improve our etiquette and not bother our neighbors. Stay on designated roads or trails; . . . I have a Honda XR that I love to ride. I would hate to see us get to the point that we have to shut down the off-road riding; with the damage we see in Lambert Park and on the west side, we are going to have to seriously consider just that. (Alpine Newsline, July 2009)
A leader in the community should encourage kindness, tolerance, and consideration as the first effort to solve community problems. When that fails then we can count on being overwhelmed with rules, regulations, and restrictions. (I wrote this two years ago and I’m grateful to see that this is exactly the approach our Mayor is taking. – August 2009)
One of my goals on the city council will be to encourage voluntary solutions first before resorting to regulation and costly city programs.