WAYT: Get ready for the primary!

I have been so incredibly busy at work lately.  I haven’t revealed the name of my employer on here because I don’t know how they would feel about it and because in this day and age, the work I do can be even more polarizing than my own personal opinions. 

One big project I’ve been working on is helping to sort out the new legislative districts.  The primary election is less than one month away!  What are you thinking about the upcoming primary? 

A lot has changed in Illinois because of these new maps.  Everyone who we’ve known since living in Downs has been mapped out of our area and new people have been mapped in.  This election is going to bring big changes to who represents us. 

The trouble (or is it good news?) is that I personally heard from both of the candidates vying for the State Senate seat in our new district.  My organization conducted an interview and I just happened to be asked by my boss to go with him to staff the meeting.  It was incredibly interesting.  Suffice to say that one candidate is a long-time legislator and one is completely new to state politics.  The differences were stark.  There is an air of experience that a person carries with him when he’s been at the game for a while, and with politicians, it’s palpable.  Sort of like fairy dust, shimmering in the air around him – you can see it. 

There are benefits and downsides to having legislators with experience.  On the one hand, experience gets you somewhere.  If your legislator has been around for a while, he knows people and has connections.  The good things that you want him to do have a shot of surviving the legislative process.  On the other hand, experience draws your legislator into the deep, dark alleyways of politics.  If your legislator has been around for a while, he knows people and has connections.  The things about politics that everyone hates – money and influence – start to impact your legislator and thereby, the legislative process. 

The word “election,” to me, is synonymous with the word “choice.”  This primary isn’t something to take lightly, because for years now already, Downs and every community surrounding it has been affected by Illinois’ on-going budget crisis.  The person we choose to represent us will inherit many tough battles.  Will the voters choose someone who can handle the pressure?  Will the voters choose someone who we can ask to fight for us – someone who can take the heat from his constituents?

The way I see it, elections must go beyond picking the best person for the job.  You have the make that person accountable to you, whether he/she got your vote or not.  I hope that whoever is chosen in the primary, voters will take their action one step further.  Vote, and then, regardless of the outcome, call, meet or email your officials! Tell them your opinion so that you can hear what they’ll do about it.  Start the dialogue now. 

It’s not about voting early and often, because we all know that phrase has sadly become a sick joke in Illinois.  It’s about speaking your mind early and often.  Your legislators need to know what you are thinking.  You can’t complain about the unfairness or the bad decisions if you’ve never tried to impact the process, and they can’t do the good work you want them to do if you don’t tell them your goals, dreams, ambitions, complaints, irritations and must-haves. 

Of course, it all begins at the ballot box.  Make sure that you have your voter registration in order for the primary election.  Do your job!  What are you thinking if you don’t?