Thinking about petitions By Fred Cederholm

Column for on/after October 21st, 2007

I’ve been thinking about petitions. Actually I’ve been thinking about responsibilities, RSSV, issues, forums, The League of Women Voters, and immigration. We are so fortunate to live in a country whose system of government is a democratic republic where “the active and informed people” rule themselves via a free selection of their elected representatives. THAT, in a nutshell, WAS the intention of the founding fathers as detailed by the US Constitution and solidified by the first ten amendments to it. These reiterate our inalienable freedoms which are known as the “Bill of Rights.” This system only works if an informed citizenry actively participates in an “open and above board” election process.

You see there is far more involved to the election process than showing up on the final Election Day and casting a ballot. The true process begins much earlier and encompasses several steps. First, the prospective voter must register (R) to vote in their respective district. This can be accomplished at a number of locations – in a number of ways. Next, the voter needs to inform themselves about the candidates running and how they stand on the issues facing their nation, their state, and their district. They must then select (S) which candidates they will choose to support (S) in the election process. Finally they must vote (V) in the elections – the primary elections AND the general elections. Truly responsible voters participate in all four steps. They RSSV – if you will.

Last week I completed my biennial ritual of circulating petitions to get the candidates I support for State Representative, State Senator, and US Congressman of my district on the primary ballot for next February. These are fine individuals who work hard to serve their constituents. All are well known and getting a hundred or so signatures for each was not a problem. I and the signatories I acquired were comfortable knowing where each of these public servants stand on the issues. We may not agree with them 100%, but we are comfortable in our overall evaluation of their records and performance. If only such were the case for us for those seeking the office of the presidency in 2008?

The race for the Oval Office began what already seems like an eternity ago. As a political, a financial-economic, and a news junkie, I really try to educate myself, but I presently find myself under-whelmed by the majority of the candidates. How is it possible for seeming intelligent individuals to speak so often, yet say so very little? This is no accident! If you have been watching the debates thus far (or read transcripts of the questions and answers), you experience the sorry reality show of “Dancing with the Politicians” that now characterizes the perversion of our presidential election process.

This country is in trouble. It needs turnaround executive leadership. Our finances are a mess. Our reputation in the global community of nations stinks. Our currency continues to test new lows. We are embroiled in foreign conflicts with no end in sight. Our borders leak illegal aliens like sieves. Our families are struggling as more and more households find themselves with too much month left at the end of the money. We are dependant on foreign entities for our energy, our products, and our financing.

We owe it to ourselves (and future generations) to be informed about where we actually are, what our options are, what will be the costs and implications, and who will lead us in the much needed turnarounds. The League of Women Voters is a fine organization who serves in the quest to inform the public about the candidates and the hot button issues in fair and non-partisan arena. The Rochelle Area Chapter conducts ten forums a year which are open to the general public as well as the membership.

This Thursday, October 25^th at 6:00 PM; there will be forum in the VIA Room of the First National Bank at the May Mart Shopping Plaza which will focus on immigration. The materials for the discussion in developing our local consensus (to be submitted to the national organization in December) are simply excellent. I heartily encourage interested parties to join us, or go to the www.lwv.org website. I’m Fred Cederholm and I’ve been thinking. You should be thinking, too.

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