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Thursday, June 5, 2008
What questions do you want on the ballot?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Life is full of questions.
“What is the meaning of life?”
“Which came first the chicken or the egg?”
“To be or not to be?”
And, of course, every five year old’s favorite “Why?”
They are questions we may never have the answer to, but on July 15, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, you are about to be bombarded with questions to which you only have a choice of a “yes” or “no”.
I am referring to the ballot questions, that are included in the upcoming Gwinnett County primary. They range from a variety of topics, some bipartisan, most very partisan, including mass transportation and traffic, development and revitalization, taxes, and, yes, illegal immigration.
As is the unfortunate case with anything related to modern day politics seem to represent, the ballot questions contain the usual propaganda, pandering and the usual finger-pointing blame game resulting in driving everyones interest away from politics and voters booths.
It’s not that most of the topics aren’t relevant for discussion, its how they are worded and the perceived intention behind them. Some of them could have been worded to be a bit more … thoughtful, objective and not formulated to spur a specific intended emotional response. Its almost like “We worded this question so that you answer the way we want you to.”
There are a few surprises however.
For the Democrats a very uncommonly donkey-like question about high property taxes and fining employers that hire illegal aliens. Of course, in very donkey-like fashion, they offer questions about growing government by adding commission and school districts. It seems they will never learn that more doesn’t necessarily mean better.
There is one question on the Republican ballot that gave me a little chuckle about the party moving too far to the political left. If they referring to their fiscal habits, then fine. Fair question. If they are referring to their social stances, well my stomach would knot too much from laughing so hard.
There are a few bipartisan topics that appear on both parties ballots including MARTA’s expansion into the county, and each party presents version of questioning the enforcement of illegal immigration.
Naturally, what is important to one person may not be so for another. So, it got me wondering what is most important to you. This week, I am putting you in the drivers seat of the political party of your choice.
If you could pick three questions for the July 15 ballot to ask your fellow Gwinnettians, what would they be? What party would you address them to and why?
Who knows, maybe next week I, and/or a local public official, might answer a few of your questions.
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