Changing the Dynamic from the Grassroots
A friend recently penned and op-ed widely covered regarding
women in politics. Her observations and
research produced and insightful piece that buoyed me personally, as a woman
who chairs a local Democratic Town Committee.
What I think we can all agree on regardless of stripe, is that anyone
who runs for office in order to better the greater good should and must be
lauded and encouraged to stay on the path of good governance. The piece inspired me to think more carefully
about the process, the commitment of people and ultimately the results it
garners. I thank her for her
contribution to this most important political discourse.
Over the last several years in RI, we have taken a front row
seat to the national political process and for many people “the process” has
proved to be ugly, stark and fraught with negativism. Much of the criticism of “the process” is
well deserved by officials who have absconded with the public trust on both
sides of the aisle. Unfortunately, the net result of “the process “can be a
furious and angry electorate. I don’t
know about you but, I do not operate at optimum capacity in a state of anger or
fury, these emotions cloud judgments and produce knee jerk fallout. However, when those elected do wrong or get
called into question for ethics violations and investigations it MUST be
pointed out to the voters. This is
responsible government not mudslinging.
Voters must be more able to know the difference and evaluate on merit
not party lines. Remember “ethics are
what you do when no one is looking.” I feel strongly, when officials become
ethically challenged it is the people’s right to know. It happens everywhere including my town of
Scituate.
As Chairwoman of the
Scituate Democratic Town Committee, a large part of my responsibility is to
recruit quality candidates and engage them in the process of an election. As Chairwoman it is also my responsibility
point out deficiencies in government and governance in order to provide voters
a choice. Given the recent atmosphere
that job has become more and more difficult, as the volume of the vitriol, and
screaming is increasing, the quality of true political and good government
discussion is sinking like a stone. That
is a travesty in a democracy. If we are trying to recruit more women, young
people, veterans, business owners, seniors and non partisan citizens who just
want to make a difference please know these people are only not walking away
from the process they are sprinting.
The time is now from the grass roots to change the dynamic,
to be responsible for engaging people with energy, vision drive and mission to
contribute to the greater good. My
friend’s op-ed so beautifully described the flight of migrating birds in a “V”
shape in order to produce uplift to the flock and how geese honk to keep up the
spirits of the birds leading information.
The birds also take turns on the lead to keep the flock strong and
refreshed. In order that we recruit more
women and candidates of all genders ages and stripes to the process we must be
willing to honk and sound our voices and take the lead and provide the lift so
many of our cities and towns require to go the distance. I encourage every person in Scituate to consider
and weigh the quality of the candidates put forth by the Scituate Democratic
team and support them with your vote.
