By: Cheryl Smith
Recently, a political consultant asked: “Who isn’t running for office?”
A number of the “me” responses appeared from former elected officials or those elected but not appearing on the ballot.
Some shared their reasons for not running for office, and there were some strong opinions tossed around, accented by a disdain or hatred for politicians.
I understand what they are saying, and I hope everyone will understand what I’m saying.
The truth is simple. For every election that takes place, we should all be acting like we’re on the ballot because, really we are.
We should be volunteering, donating, knocking on doors, talking, and doing anything else we would be doing if our names were actually on the ballot.
Time after time, we see candidates who only campaign when they’re on the ballot. If they’re not on the ballot, they are chilling, and they’re relaxing like they don’t realize that their entire term is a campaign.
Well, it’s time out for people who only care about something when they think it affects or benefits them.
Dear elected officials, you may not be on the ballot this time, but you will be soon, and you will have more people in your corner if you are out there giving the energy you hope will be coming your way when it’s your time.
Time out for apathy, aloofness, and utter ignorance.
You need to be working to ensure there’s someone elected who cares about you and your issues or concerns.
And for those who are not elected officials, you have to work like you’re on the ballot because you and your issues are. You need to become engaged so you can make a difference.
Let the wrong people get into office, and you are destroying your future, as well as future generations.
And you can bet on that!
