The Woodward News

Opinion

July 24, 2010

In addition to the "purge"

Rich Macke Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Last week our Managing Editor, Johnny McMahan, wrote a column that ran on the Opinion page of the Tuesday, July 13 publication. In that column, Johnny asked a great question “Will a Purge Help” referring to comments made by Congressman Lucas at his recent Town Hall Meeting on Friday, July 9th. I would like to take the subject of “The Purge” a little further.

I agree with Congressman Lucas that a purge is indeed coming and needed through this next election. The frustrations that communities across this great nation are feeling are evidence of what is coming.

But the question that many of us think about is “Will a Purge Help”? A purge, for purge sake, or change just for the simple fact that we are frustrated, will definitely not change things all together. It’s our job, to put the best people in these positions that can get the most done.

During my visit with Congresswoman Fallin last week, we discussed her views on Education. She feels the most important thing we can do to ensure successful and happy lives for our children is to invest in their education today. As I am also a parent to a young pre-teen, this topic is very important to me, as it is with many. So I asked the question, “How can the government help grow education with the continued string of cuts school districts have to face each year”? Her reply was simple, “We need to hire better”!

Now, it’s pretty ironic that we are discussing the “Purge”, because in order for voters to make the most of this upcoming election the story is the same, “We must hire better”!

 I agree with many that there are some elected officials that are doing a good job and truly care about representing the citizens that elected them into office. As well as many currently vying for selected office positions that feel the same way. The question is, how do we choose the right person for the job? Unfortunately that is not an easy answer, because we all have been let down by one politician or another that had promised us something during their campaign, then once in office, either changed their mind or didn’t follow through.

When I make my vote, I will be using the best tools I can to make my decision. I will look at the background and history of a person. Then ask myself what have they accomplished for the people so far and who do I trust to help get things back on track and moving forward in the right direction? It is not my place to tell anyone who I think will do a better job or use my position as a platform to sway voters one way or another. I simply hope that each of us will give this next election the responsibility it deserves as not only our great state, but this great nation deserves our best!



Rich Macke is publisher of the Woodward News.

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