Could political “outsiders” help solve the problems in Harrisburg?
Dan's Editorial Published in the Daily Local News on December 3rd, 2009
Barbara McIlvaine-Smith’s announcement that she would not seek re-election to the PA General Assembly in 2010, and her reason for not doing so, should serve as a wake-up call to Pennsylvania voters that they need to pay closer attention to their local candidates and perhaps start electing legislators who come from outside the system. Outrage over fiscal irresponsibility by members of both parties and outrage over the fact that the system in Harrisburg now discourages our elected officials from acting solely in the interests of their constituents is sure to bring out a number of candidates for the 2010 elections who are not career politicians. People who know how to think outside the box, solve problems, and get things done will be running for offices previously thought unattainable for anyone outside of politics. The fact that one would-be reformer has given up the fight does not mean the fight is not worth waging. We should continue to elect legislators with a credible desire for reform and we should seek those candidates from outside of the traditional circles.
I encourage all Pennsylvanians, especially the residents of Chester County, to take a greater interest in their party’s nomination process, get involved, and most importantly, VOTE in next year’s PRIMARY election. If you are one of those people who says that they “hold their nose” while voting in November, then you consciously or unconsciously understand the importance of the primaries. Believe it or not, the 2010 nomination process has already started. Greater public involvement in the primaries and the nomination processes will yield better candidates for the general elections and we might end up with more legislators who vote their conscience and refuse to let politics get in the way of good government. If you read this editorial, then you are off to a good start. Keep reading and commit to learning as much as possible about the 2010 candidates before the primaries in May.