Our View - July 16, 2008

Excuse us while we take a few moments to vent.

For years, we have heard “if you don’t like something” then “do something about it.”

On August 26, we are going to find out if the supposed angst against the system expressed by so many voters really exists.

Ironically, most of the crying and complaining, doesn’t come from voters, but from those who don’t even take time to go and vote which, in itself, is rather silly to begin with.

If you don’t take the time to exercise your right at the ballot box, why should you expect to vent your spleen every time something doesn’t go as you’d would like? We guess it’s safe. You can complain all you want, and don’t have to worry about the complaints dealing with your preferred candidate.

Yes, politics can get dirty.

Yes, politics can get ugly.

But unless you wade the muck and mire makes your complaints have little value. Yup, you still have the right to complain, but your carping carries little weight because you never actually do anything to make things better.

Making the process work takes everyone.

Unfortunately, some individuals don’t feel they should take part.

During election time, members of the media get lots of “whispered calls” from anonymous people or, sometimes, from actual candidates. They want the media to do a story about everything that’s “bad” about their opponent, but don’t think that same media should dig into their background.

Ever notice how the business of government seems to drag on forever during an election year? Politicians want to make sure they address every side of an issue before taking action, lest they accidentally offend someone.

Every item on the agenda doesn’t require a soliloquy like Othello.

Yet there are some who feel they must make a grandiose show of words.

Speaking of shows, why is it when someone questions the Board of County Commissioners many seem to get just slightly bent out of shape?

Those who participate in the system are allowed to offer opinions and ask questions of the system. Isn’t that correct?

Yet when someone asks a not-so-favorable and somewhat-pointed question, you can often see the dander rise on the backs of a few commissioners.

Until a question is asked and answered, many people fail to have a clear understanding of the issue.

America has a complicated system of government, designed to make sure the average citizen has an avenue to ask questions and express opinions. The system recognizes that bad apples sometimes make their way into leadership. As a result, America’s government includes lots of checks and balances. So it isn’t surprising that some people may think they see a conspiracy behind every tree. Let the ask their questions, make their statements and file their complaints. That’s what the system is all about.

And while politicians get busy during election year, making sure the public knows they are actually working for them, shouldn’t they want to do that the entire time they are in office?