Local Elections Matter

If you haven’t noticed, as of late, a great deal of discussion is being centered around elections. Unfortunately, the elections that will impact residents the most, in my opinion, are those that are closer to home. I’m not minimizing Congressional or Presidential Elections by trying to focus on those right here in our state or backyard.

I know you’re wondering how those local elections affect the cost of a dozen eggs, a quart of milk or a gallon of gas. Directly they don’t, but indirectly they will. The only real impact we can have on those that go to Washington is to “limit” their time there. Yes, I’m speaking about “term limits.” Limiting their time there will indeed limit the impact on us back here where they came from and minimize the exposure to those very expensive lobbyists who are the first individuals that wrap their arms, and their money, around them to guide them to legislation favoring their interests.

Lobbying is not a dirty word, so long as it is taken in small doses, and it can have a very beneficial effect on the legislative process by educating those making the laws, so long as the lawmaker doesn’t limit them to one point of view or find themselves drinking from that one trough of “knowledge.”

We must have the courage to reduce the influence of the dollar on the legislative process and the revolving door where one only changes out their uniform or name tag for that of their new employer.

But that is Washington, and my point today is to concentrate on our battles here at home. I was appalled when the legislature passed a bill that paved the way for our governor, whom I support, by the way, to circumvent the existing law on the books to run for a higher office while just asking for our votes and our money for a second four-year term as governor. 

Homeowners, as well as potential new residents, are about to face a tremendous financial impact in regard to insurance costs, specifically related to flood policies, while he is away eating corn dogs in Iowa. The man we voted for to watch the store has flipped over the sign that says he’ll be right back. I’m sorry, it’s wrong, and it is not the only issue Floridians face that requires his attention.

The state legislature, in its infinite wisdom, continues to chip away at “Home Rule” from its perch in Tallahassee. It won’t be long before those sitting in those seats 447 miles from the Jolley Bridge will be taking more and more of that decision-making process away from locally elected citizens, creating more havoc within our counties, cities, and villages across the state.

There is even a movement beginning at the grassroots in the nation to return more power to local entities, bringing it back to local levels, as Washington D.C. has turned into a media circus, and meaningful legislation is stalled in ideological warfare while our nation continues to twist out of control.

However, we have to do better on the local level if we indeed are to lead by example. Many communities have done so by limiting the time in the office by those serving, but we must go further, especially in the area of monies spent to obtain these local offices.