Focusing On The Issues

Brad Watkins writes:

Let me be frank, Candidates are NOT your friends. They are not your family,your saviors or your messiahs, they are not perfect beings nor are the perfect extensions of your political beliefs. They are however, people of ambition, talent and skill who are all applying for job.

He’s right. I’ve often talked about how candidates tend to placate the people that support them.  I’ve often felt like I was being patted on the head at times from those seeking office.

Watkins goes on to discuss supporting issues instead of personalities.  It’s good advice.

The key for me in upcoming elections will be to watch what politicians are fighting for and endorsing the policies that I feel best represent me and my community. I was a bit disheartened earlier this year when I found that myself and other key bloggers were fighting hard against some policy changes being discussed in Nashville (some which passed) while elected politicians were not after we talked to them repeatedly. We were, in essence, placated.

This experience turned into being a great learning curve.  Mainly because I realize it comes down to my vote and my voice which I will use a bit differently now.

Change is never easy not only for those of us who vote but for those in office. And change is what we need after seeing the 106th at work.

Posted by newscoma on Jul 1st, 2009 and is filed under Politics, Tennessee.

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One Response to “Focusing On The Issues”

  1. Wib Smith says:
    July 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am

    Yes! support issues, not candidates….Ask politicians to support YOUR Agenda. Do not support their Agenda.
    This is one of the community organizing principles that has led to success in getting power – IAF, Dart, Pico.
    Best local example was the success TNT had in Nashville, under Lead Organizer Angela Cowser, with 60 supporting congregations. Another principle: Make sure you keep public [politics] and personal [friends, family] separate.
    Unfortunately, maintaining an organization such as TNT requires an exceptional organizer, and is expensive. After Cowser left [now a Vandy PhD candidate] the group fell apart. Sounds like Nashville could use some people organizing again.