Like everyone else, I have been getting a great many political cards and letters of late. Most of these go into my recycle bin, but I got one today that intrigued me for all the wrong reasons. Let me call this candidate Jane Smith. (And I am not for or against her views; just bear with me here.)
Ms. Smith is very conservative and a ‘fighter for our constitutional rights,’ having a stand on guns, abortion, religious freedoms, cutting taxes, election integrity, critical race theory, Joe Biden, and protests. This was a very colorful card that someone had spent a lot of time and money creating and disseminating. I only had one question, though. What the heck office was Ms. Smith running for? I looked that card over carefully several times—both sides—and then handed it over to my husband. He didn’t find anything either. While I totally understand what her beliefs and views are, I never have found out what office she’s running for.
I did finally see that this card was prepared, not by the candidate, but by some political group. If I was Ms. Smith, I would have taken this group out behind the woodshed and paddled them.
On the other hand, I received a card yesterday for another candidate. We’ll call this one Joe Jones. Mr. Jones is running for county commissioner of a county (I won't name). That fact was clearly stated on the card in bold letters right under his name, also in bold letters. His qualifications? He’s a third generation resident of the state, a local rancher and businessman, has been a resident of the county for almost thirty years. He’s worked in the county extension office as well as the leadership of various local civic associations. Mr. Jones also pointed out his personal philosophy, in one place stating, “I believe public service is an honorable calling and office holders should be held to the highest standards of openness and honesty.” (Amen!) Then he gave his mission statement for the county commission position. In this candidate’s case, I knew exactly what he was running for and what his qualifications were. I feel this gentleman treated me, the voter, with intelligence and dignity.
I have a great deal of respect for those running for whatever office they have chosen and for the service and hard work that goes with those offices. My only advice for those wanting my vote? Please tell me what you want my vote for, don’t just badmouth your opponent. Let me know what your qualifications are for that office and what you see as your duty for that office. If your information is intelligent and succinct, I’ll definitely consider you when I go to vote.
Oh, and please go vote. We have been afforded that right and need to hold it sacred!

Susan Kite is a member of Author’s Guild of Tennessee, Florida Writers Association, Oklahoma City Writers, Oklahoma Writers Federation and various small writer’s critique groups. Find out more about her at www.bookscape.net