This election cycle, much like many in recent past, has found our communities, and even families at times, sharply divided. Much like cheering for our favorite football team, many seem to want a “side” to win it all. In this case the side is a given political party.
Across the board, political parties have stark contrasts which relate to given public policy opinions. These are guided from a view of big picture federal issues through their platforms. But when it comes to local matters, do the national platforms carry the same weight?
It is easy for some to discount candidates due to the letter representing their political party. However, for this election, and all elections, I am hoping people evaluate individual candidates on their merits and how it pertains to their abilities for each office, and their respective plans and policies for their offices (and what they can actually do or not do in that position).
Don’t be blinded by just the political affiliation. Look at their experiences, skills, and knowledge to best understand how they may perform in office. I myself, looking at my choices, support candidates in the Democrat Party, Republican Party, Independents, and Libertarians (I am sorry to say none this time around in the Green Party, but I have voted Green in the past as well). The reason is that I viewed each office and candidates critically. Not based on political affiliation.
For instance, I support Joel Kuhlman for Commissioner and Jane Spoerl for Treasurer. A Democrat and Republican respectively. I support Ed Kolanko for Commissioner and Randy Gardner for State Senate. A Democrat and Republican respectively. I support Gary Johnson for President and Rob Portman for Senate. A Libertarian and Republican respectively. As I go down my ballot, I see that I have a healthy mix across the board, especially locally.
I urge everyone to think critically about their choices, and not go into the polling places with the mindset of picking a side to win. If we continue to be so strict, though one side may “win” more offices, we are losing as a community, state, and country by continued heavy divisions. Evaluate each candidate and their background, history in office if applicable, and their plans for that office. This is how we become best represented as a community as opposed to represented based on political affiliation.
Nathan Eberly
Bowling Green
