The silly season is almost over

There's a strange phenomenon which occurs whenever political campaigns begin. Every four years, the entire country starts to draw battle lines as though they are preparing to go to war against their families, friends and neighbors. For about 3 of those years, most people pay scant attention to the machinations of the national government, preferring instead to entertain themselves with the latest sitcom, police drama or survival shows.

Perhaps, it's a necessary form of rehabilitation after a year of exposure to gut-wrenching criticism of the president's policies and the primary process to select his opponent. The transformation that takes place in the hearts, minds and faces of the politically active is reminiscent of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."For many, it's not enough to simply disagree with their friend's predilections, they feel a compulsion to insult them for having the temerity to make up their own minds, or, for being too "stupid" to see things the way their antagonist sees them. A social gathering that began as a group of amiable folks, with love in their hearts, can quickly become a bellicose arena of fire-breathing dragons bent on the complete destruction of the infidels. The most beautiful eyes, adorning the most loving and sensitive face, can grow quickly into a hateful scowl toward one who dares to voice a differing opinion.

The silly season is even worse on a local level because it occurs annually as half the Town Council members run each year for two year terms. This is when it really gets personal! People seem to become possessed as they dig in their heels and take sides that often conflict with their closest buddies, putting that friendship on hold, or ending it completely. Studies have shown that when people make a choice they stick with it because they're too proud to change their mind and appear to be wishy-washy. Hence, the issues become less important than the fact that they've already declared their preferences. Let's say Joe Jones has been stating his support for candidate A for several months. One morning he reads in a local paper that A had voted for a tax increase several years ago. Now, Mr. Jones is adamantly opposed to shelling out more tax money, but, inasmuch as everyone knows of his loyalty to A, he manages to adroitly defend his choice, probably because his pride is at stake. Of course, it might also mean that Mr. Jones isn't a one-issue candidate. In addition, it might be a good idea for him to verify the story before he accepts it as fact.

As I began moderating the candidate forum in Flower Mound last week, as I've done for many years, I couldn't help thinking how fortunate we are to have so many high-caliber people who are willing to put themselves on the firing line for a chance to have a say in the future of our town. Anyone who has been a candidate for public office will tell you that it's not for the squeamish. You are suddenly thrust into a fishbowl, accompanied by in-depth scrutiny, cruel invective and character assassination. Saints become sinners in a heartbeat as every well-intentioned word or deed ever uttered or performed is rapidly transmogrified into something with malevolent intent. The "opponent" is the most evil, fraudulent, idiotic nogoodnik that has every drawn a breath of air. Not only should we vote against him/her, we should use every opportunity to insult, mock and sneer at that repugnant object of our seething antipathy. Honestly, listening to some people talk about the candidates you'd think they were describing a bunch offelony-prone thugs that had invaded their homes and absconded with their valuables.

Lost in all of this political hostility is the fact that these are our friends and neighbors. And even if they're not our friends, they're still worthy of our respect for putting themselves through the ordeal of a long stressful campaign to take on a position that requires a lot of time and effort with no paycheck as compensation. Moreover, those who do get elected must put up with the calumny of their detractors, including any issue that can be distorted for the satisfaction of the biased in their midst. It's often been said that we lose out on a lot of quality people because of these mean-spirited campaigns. That may be true, but, when I looked toward the lineup of candidates at the forum last Saturday evening, I saw some of the finest people that this, or any, community has to offer. It made me proud to reside in a town where there is no paucity of decent, principled people, ready to face the inevitable antagonism from those in their orbit. As far as I'm concerned, that's a clear definition of courage and integrity.

Current Rating: 4 of 1 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...