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After reading today's letters, I am overwhelmed by one question: When are we going to quit making excuses for politicians? But in my own mind, I don't think the excuses for them are there as much as the electorate not being willing to admit they made a mistake, so put it on somebody else.
To back a cause, we must believe in that cause. The airwaves are filled with half truths, outright lies and demeaning of the opposition, no matter who or for what cause. We are too willing to accept claims without checking statements or numbers given. What one party harps on as being wrong soon will be right because it will fit into their plans. Right now, for example, reconciliation.
When a party is in trouble, the two main reasons you hear are that you expect action too fast or the problems were worse than we thought.
Let's investigate this based on today's situation. All candidates come before us saying they can do the job. That is followed with selling points telling what was done wrong, and without saying what will be done to correct it, imply that they will take care of it.
Who are these candidates? Where do they come from? Who reviews their resumes and determines they are capable of doing the job?
In my career, I have reviewed hundreds of resumes. It is true that the actual proof comes after the hiring, but resumes will usually tell you who is not qualified. In politics, I don't think anyone really looks at the resumes. It is more important that the person is electable more than qualified. Look at the candidates over the years and that becomes evident.
When John F. Kennedy became president, he had economic problems. He therefore filled his administrative persons having business experience. History says 58 percent of them had such experience. Ronald Regan, ditto. He had over 50 percent of his people qualified.
The current president, faced with similar problems, has 8 percent of his people with that experience. It is any wonder they can't resolve anything? Too many of the people in jobs of importance, though lacking experience, have thank you notes from political debts in their pocket.
Many promises were made. You can count the ones honored on one hand and a lot of them require reaching. We always say the office requires respect. The person filling the office must do a good job because respect is earned not given. Talking down to people does nothing to enhance respect.
We need a responsible electorate to vote in leaders who are able to resolve our problems.
George Koesters
Gainesville