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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.