Editorial
E ditorial
There is an abundance of issues, situations, decisions, and debates transpiring across the DMC’s coverage area at present, and while I have developed an opinion on most of these, one that is at the top of the list — and the one that is most within your control as an individual citizen — is the one nobody seems to be talking about.
I could spend a bit of time and ink to share my opinion about the duplicity of politicians who claim to be “A team player,” while simultaneously attempting to cuts funds everywhere but their own budget. Equally, I could draft a few hundred words about other politicians who have only been successful in implementing practices that have forced them into seeking handouts to make ends meet.
I could talk about how the determination to succeed can overcome a multitude of setbacks or how acting too quickly can often be as detrimental as failing to act. I can share my thoughts on whether a selfaware idiot in charge is more dangerous than one who thinks they’re a genius.
I could drill down into the specifics of any of a thousand issues we are facing, or I could share a bird's eye perspective of humanity’s collective situation. I could, but I won’t. At least, not today.
What I would like to say, and what I hope each of you considers, is what can be done about any of it and what your role might be in the outcome.
I ran across this quote from magazine editor and critic, George Jean Nathan, who said, “Bad officials are the ones elected by good citizens who do not vote.” I like this quote, yet after pondering it earlier this week I was alerted to something of even greater concern, and the only one who can prevent my fear from becoming reality is you.
On any given month, I attend numerous meetings and speak with dozens of officials. Given the current local political climate, the only thing that concerns me more than walking into a room with bad politicians seated at tables is walking into a room full of empty chairs because when elections come around, the courage of its citizens stopped at the posting of their angry-faced emoji.
Change is difficult, and I understand that stepping into the duty of a board member, council member, commissioner, or other position is daunting. Often enough, to affect the change we would like most to see, sometimes one must choose to become the official they would like to elect. So, what are you going to do about it?
Jeff Hurt, Editor