A few weeks ago, I was going through a box of high school memorabilia and came across some old CDs. Friday afternoon on my way home from work, I popped in NOW 14 and a song I used to listen to in high school came floating through my speakers. This is what I heard: “In this world that we’re living in, people keep on giving in. Making wrong decisions, their only vision is of their dividends. Not respecting each other, denying their brothers... Can you practice what you preach, and would you turn the other cheek? Father, Father, Father help us. Send some guidance from above, ‘cause people got me questioning ‘Where is the love?’” The main message of the song is about violence in the world, but as I was driving home passing all of the political signs on Highway 411, it took on a whole new meaning to me.
I pride myself on being up-front and honest, so I’m going to go ahead and clarify who I am and my relationship to this race to put aside all speculation as to why I chose this topic to write about this week. I’m Lindsey Bryan, but my maiden name is Sanford. My dad, Michael, is the economic director for the county and helps out with Greg Hogan’s campaign; I don’t think any of that is a secret. I also haven’t lived in Murray County for a little over five years, and haven’t depended on my parents financially for just as long. My dad has also never involved me in any of the politics going on, and I have not talked to Greg Hogan personally since before he was elected Commissioner. Because I don’t live in Chatsworth, it is easy for me to take an objective and unbiased opinion of all the campaigning going on in the county. I think I might personally know three or four people running for different offices, but that’s it.
Working at this newspaper, I have no choice but to hear about this primary election coming up next month. I hear the good, the bad, and the ugly every single day from Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between.
Here’s my question: Since when did an election turn into a bloodbath? The fact is that, on August 1st, every single one of the candidates is a human being with a family. This election should be strictly about the position in question and the candidate’s ability to do the job. The personal lives of the candidates should stay personal. I'm sorry, but I just don't see how it matters what Joe Bob's grandmother did twenty years ago; the only thing I see relevant is whether or not he can do the job. No one in this race is perfect, and each candidate has made mistakes in the past at some point. The people I have seen point the most fingers are, ironically, the people who are behaving the worst behind the scenes.
Is it really worth starting an almost Civil War over the office of Commissioner, Magistrate Judge, Sheriff, Clerk of Court, etc.? There is no position worth threatening another person physically. Objectively, I have seen grown men almost coming to blows over this stuff; I see friends losing friends and I see gossip flying through the grapevine at record speeds. Grown men and women aren't speaking to co-workers and former friends because of who they talk to in public.
The bottom line is this: we as human beings need to respect each other. Respect each other's personal lives, respect each other's family, respect each other period. If you win, you win. If you don't, you don't, and life will go on.
