Reader Responses

I keep hearing people say they are unhappy with the choices we have running for public office this year. The Internet is saturated with members of both parties who are angry with the candidates we have to choose from. Continually coming in contact with this type of opinion, as well as my own agreement with this position on some levels, caused me to think about what we, the people, could do to fix it.

Then, as I was sitting here, it just came to me. The problem we now have is that the potential candidates are not people who we have sought to run for office. We, the people, had no say in the selection process of our candidates - they were 'vetted' by the hierarchy of the parties and the members of the media - leaving us feeling unsatisfied deep down.

I realized that the answer to this question lies in the past, when the candidates were not only chosen from among those who were seeking the office. Often, a group of citizens got together and decided, then went and asked them to hold the position or run for it.

Yes, I know the parties say they are doing that - they are choosing the best candidates for the job. But are they? Are you happy with the choices they have made?

If you're like me and you aren't happy, then the best answer for us is to go out and find the people we want to represent us and notify the hierarchy of the parties and get the people we truly want rather than the ones they think we should have.

If you know someone who you would like to see in office, notify your local party office and spread the word. I can't simply vote for the least bad choice - my vote is more important to me and my kids for that.

Melissa Pehle-Hill
Athens