BENTON COUNTY — We’ve probably all heard the cliché, “I want the very best politicians money can buy.” When I listen to the Washington politicians, it is apparent that campaign money might have bought us the best politicians that special interest money can buy, but they leave a great deal to be desired for many of us. The Speaker of the Unite States House of Representatives, Rep.
John Boehner (R-OH) publicly blasted the House Democrats for their vote on the bill to extend the low interest rates on student loans. Not to be outdone, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sounded like a spoiled little girl and condemned the Republicans for wanting to deprive women ofhealthcare. All the battle seemed to surround how to pay for the loans. Most of us lay people, voters and concerned citizens, don’t understand all the behindthe-scenes political maneuvering that goes into all the backbiting, but it sure gets old. The allegiance to political parties reeks of power and money. No wonder more and more people think Independent or even TEA Party. Most of my life I have thought of myself as a conservative Republican.
Actually, I am embarrassed to belong to either of the major parties when I hear exchanges such as those between two of our supposed leaders. How are we ever going to solve our economic problems with elected persons squabbling like kindergarten children on the school playground?
It has been my pleasure to campaign recently with my friend, Judge Brad Karren. Over and over I heardpeople talk about their frustration with Washington politics and the inability of the average person to have any meaningful effect on what goes on out there. We all know we have very little impact just by the amount of money being raised for the political campaigns of successful, as well as unsuccessful, candidates.
Money doesn’t buy character or integrity or experience or a guarantee that a person will make the right decision. These qualities are taught and are proven over time. We vote for a candidate we believe to be the best person for the position, and that works for us when we know them personally. However, when thespecial interest groups are so powerful that they can alter an election’s outcome with money and manipulation of the news media, we must work twice as hard to sort out the truth. Thereare days I wonder if the very soul of our nation is dependent on how we select our leaders.
The choices we have in both major party primaries on the May 22 all have reasons for running in their particular races. This is true from presidential candidates down to constables. We also have several choices to make in non-partisan judicial elections. At least we can have more impact locally than we can in the elections that concern Washington politics, so our votes are still worthwhile.
And, we have less than two weeks to wade through all the campaign information to make our choices.
◊◊◊
Editor’s note: Leo Lynch, a native of Benton County has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at prtnews@ nwaonline.com.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 05/09/2012