Archive: Opinions

I often complain about party line voting, especially in local elections.  To me it's a stupid way to vote in a world that includes liberal Republicans, conservative Democrats, and every flavor of philosophy and approach to running our world.  While it's easier to just pick candidates on one party line or another, it's better for all of us if we listen to the individuals and find out who they are, what they are about, and scope out what they are likely to do if we elect them.

That's why I am a little thrilled by Tuesday's results here in Lansing.  I think we were given a good choice of candidates for Town Supervisor and Council.  Obviously we didn't just vote the party line, because two Democrats and a Republican were voted into those three positions.  All three uncontested seats were filled by Republicans who are evidently doing such a good job that not only were they not challenged, but the Democrats actually voted to support them in the July caucus.

I have gone on ad nauseum about Lansing being at a crossroads, so I was particularly anxious about this election.  I felt that if people really gave the candidates a good look they could determine the Town's future with their votes.  I think most of the candidates agreed about where Lansing should be going.  But they had distinct ideas about how, and how fast it should get there.

The vote could have been a thoughtless ratification of one generic party line or another.  Instead I think it was a thoughtful decision on how residents want their government to procede on development, road protection, taxes, and infrastructure.  I'm not saying which approach I think is right for Lansing here.  I am saying that voters decided on which approach is right.  Voters deciding based on actual facts and by paying attention to individual candidates is the best thing for a community.  By the numbers it appears that is what happened here.  So I call it a good election.

They say that voters get the government they deserve.  As a community, I think the ironic negative intent of that homily doesn't apply this time.  Voters crossed party lines to pick their future à la carte.  That will make for a nuanced and flavorful future at this key milestone in the Town's development.

It is troubling that only a third of qualified voters actually came to the polls.  The other two thirds definitely get the government they deserve in the snarky ironic sense.  And if those people would have just voted a line, they did us all a favor by staying away.  Either way, that wasn't the candidates' fault.

The candidates did what they were supposed to.  They got out there and talked to people, gave their reasons for wanting to be elected, and people listened and decided.  That bodes well for all of us, no matter who we voted for.

v7i44