Elections: Voters must weigh facts, choose wisely

Their job responsibilities will be as daunting as the times we’re now living through. That reality should give pause as we, each in our own way, examine those who have stepped up to seek elective office in the
Nov. 3 municipal elections.

That 475 candidates have shown themselves willing to invest time and money to run in 216 races speaks to the enduring strength of democracy, especially given today’s challenges. Ballots will be cast from Alpharetta to Stone Mountain. Among the races are those for Atlanta’s mayor, City Council and school board.

The harsh recession we’re struggling through has battered budgets of both the smallest household and the largest government agencies. That makes governing a much tougher, and more thankless, task for today’s elected officials. The citizens we elect on Nov. 3 must be well-prepared to budget, manage and lead during a period of diminishing resources that must be balanced against needs that, at best, have not decreased accordingly.

As citizens and voters, it’s vital that we choose carefully when stepping into voting booths three weeks from now. Doing so entails making intensely personal decisions in coming days that blend personal views and beliefs with information that we intentionally seek out, or simply take in as part of our daily lives.

Knowledge is the lifeblood of this nation’s centuries-old, rough-and-tumble process we call democracy. The near-constant data barrage from today’s myriad choices can make our decision-making both easier and harder at the same time. Our highest calling as voters is to discern fact from spin and propaganda while also remaining true to ourselves and our values. The success of the republic depends on our ability to do well in this sort of critical thinking. The future prosperity of our towns, region, state and nation will rest in good part on the choices we make.

That’s the humbling, even awe-inducing, responsibility placed on our shoulders by America’s founders. Voters are a key bulwark against government’s excesses or just plain bureaucratic wrong-headedness. If enough of us don’t like our political leaders’ direction or action, we peacefully clean house and start over. That’s the genius of our system.

Thomas Jefferson realized that in 1816, when he noted, “The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty and property of their constituents. There is no safe deposit for these but with the people themselves, nor can they be safe with them without information. Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe.”

So we must choose wisely on Nov. 3. Between now and that day, there are many matters that deserve personal consideration. Following are a few major factors to think about, in our view. Never more than now do we need leaders who are honest, forthright and fair-minded. Businessman William “Sonny” Walker spoke to that need last week in announcing EduPac Atlanta’s endorsed slate of candidates for the Atlanta School Board. “We want someone with a long history of adherence to good character and ethics,” he said during a press conference. His desire holds true for other elected offices, we believe. No one’s perfect, but people deserve leaders who are above reproach.

And in these partisan days of political gridlock marked by incessant backbiting and sniping across all quarters, voters would also do well to factor in a candidate’s ability to work well with others to get things done. Our elected leaders must know when to compromise, and when to stick to principle; doing so well is critical to making government work for us all.

And, during a period of billion-dollar budget shortfalls that show no sign of easing up anytime soon, making government work reasonably well is more challenging than ever.

Again, Walker’s words about Atlanta’s School Board have broader relevance: “In these economic times, with state cuts coming, with homeowners being concerned about tax rates ... the people elected must understand how to budget and how to manage a budget.”

Dealing effectively with budgetary red ink’s a critical need, but also one that falls under the “management” part of elected officials’ job descriptions. Those who would sit as part of governmental bodies need more than ever to also be visionaries in the sense of seeking creative, effective ways to both meet today’s needs while looking toward tomorrow. They must do so while facing deep declines in tax revenue and other government funding. That requires melding vision with a sobering reality.

EduPac’s Walker mentioned last week the Japanese concept of “kaizen,” which was all the rage among business leaders a generation ago. Roughly translated, the word means “good change” or, in context, “continuous improvement.” As a concept, it calls for collaborative work on processes with the goal of boosting efficiency and creating better end results. We call that proactive leadership. And we need a lot more of it if Georgia’s to remain a safe harbor for economic growth.

In coming weeks until the election, we’ll bring you more insight and information about the issues and how key candidates would address them. We hope our work helps you make the best choices on Nov. 3.

Andre Jackson for the Editorial Board

ATLANTA FORWARD: In coming weeks and months, we will look at major issues Atlanta must address in order to move forward as the economy recovers. Look for the designation “Atlanta Forward,” which will identify these discussions.