LETTER: A Lesson About Politics

A lesson About Politics

TO THE EDITOR

This letter was written before Election Day to be submitted regardless of winning or losing. It needs to be said.

After becoming a school board election candidate, I realized several misconceptions. For example, I naively thought an election was an earnest and honest debate between candidates with differences of opinion and policies but sharing common values.  Also, I thought childbirth was the most physically and emotionally strenuous of my life experiences. On the contrary, nine months of election campaigning are far worse.

Pregnancy discomforts are mild compared to running an election campaign. I understood that I may lose a campaign sign or two.  I’ve lived long enough to know that not everyone will be for you and that’s ok.  I understood that a campaign could be costly.  What I never will understand and could never have predicted was those who encouraged my candidacy but were unfaithful on promises of support.  I find politics to be generally unethical and some of the people involved are unsavory. They are willing to do and say anything to win an election, and for some, their words are not worth the paper they’re written on.  Some politicians are all about appearing as they wish people to see them, even if it is nothing like what they are, and even if they are saying the exact opposite of what they will eventually do. They are expecting that few voters will see through their appearances and pretenses.

A school board primary election is “open” to all registered voters – “nonpartisan” – to choose two candidates in the general election. However, the election campaign is very partisan. Party politics take precedence.  That brings me to two examples: The League of Women’s Voters (LWV) and the teacher’s union (EASMC).  There may have been a time when the local League of Women Voters was supposedly nonpartisan. However, in my opinion, this ended when the national LWV became aligned with the Democratic Party, and the local chapter joined with two politically biased co-sponsors. The candidates’ forums, consisting of screened audience “gotcha” questions, are not worth taking seriously.  As for the teachers’ union (EASMC), with its history of endorsing Democrats and a few so-called “Republicans,” or RINO’s, as I like to call them, its endorsement process is a joke, rather a charade, with which there is no apparent rhyme or reason to how they choose who to endorse.  Further, its interests are inconsistent with parental rights and the well-being of children’s education. I was mistaken in seeking its endorsement, but in hindsight I am pleased to not be endorsed.

A few politically motivated LGBTQ activists engaged in reprehensible personal attacks. In a societal progression of tolerance, acceptance, respect, and normalcy, these extremists and tactics are harmful to this minority community. 

Frankly, if I had known of the disgusting nature of election campaigns, I would not have filed as a candidate. It is a process lacking in dignity. To paraphrase a biblical quote, for what shall it profit to win an election at the loss of integrity? Despite the corrupting influence of politics, I have sustained my integrity and remain resolute.

Postscript: I lost the election.

BRANDIE EDELEN