Letter to the Editor

With this year passing us by more quickly than ever, we are fast approaching the general election in November. I personally can’t believe it’s within sight already!
I have a hard time preparing for each election because votes are cast for many people who will hold important jobs within our state and local government. It is hard to know who will be the best choice for each position. I am gaining new perspective from some community members while helping my husband with his campaign for Worth County Sheriff. It seems as though some don’t consider learning what a candidate stands for and doing their own research prior to casting a vote.
Many candidates are ones we can meet at community events, local meet and greets; but despite the attempts candidates make to become known, people are busy and don’t always have the time to get to know their candidates.
Aside from waiting on the candidate to make themselves known to you, consider doing your own research. This is especially important to do so that we make an educated decision when casting our votes. The media does not always give us a true and fair perception, Facebook posts may not always be reliable. Consider using some other sources to get to know your candidates.
When determining who I will be voting for I consider it as hiring an employee. I am self-employed and know the risks of making a poor decision when it comes to employees. Candidates seeking our votes are, in a sense, our employees. We help pay their wages and we also feel the results of their work. Whether it be new laws being made, old laws being modified and upheld, budgets being set and approved and so much more; the decisions of the elected candidates will directly affect all of us long term.
Since I view each candidate as a potential hire, I do a background check just as I would for an employee. I may do a Google search to see what I find about a person running for an elected position. Look at what people in general are saying, then back that up with research. I also like to look at local resources to see what I can find. There are many public records, Iowa courts online, previous work history and so forth that can be used as resources.
I never take what a candidate says and just listen to it . . . it’s politics. People are more than capable of saying what they need to if they think they can gain your vote. Look at how many candidates change their angle during a campaign  because they don’t feel they are gaining the support they are in need of.
I also throw a red flag anytime someone uses their faith and good deeds to justify that they are a trustworthy individual or seeks out a candidate to destroy. I will however consider if a committee has been created with the sole purpose of educating the public of a certain candidate, they probably know disturbing things about that person that they feel need to be known. If the candidate is a genuine person, they shouldn’t need to fight to make that point.
I also feel that the methods and resources used during a campaign may shine a light on what type of job that person might do if elected. If they are wastefully spending money on their campaign, they are likely to do the same with a budget. If they expect other people to do all the work for them to become elected, they may rely on others to do the job at hand. If they conduct themselves professionally and effective as a candidate, they will likely do the same once elected.
If a poor choice is made for a candidate for any position, it can change the well being of our education system, economy, safety on a national, state, and local level along with bringing us to a halt in becoming a better America to live, work, and play. I personally would love to see unity, despite the party, so that our country can be moved in a forward, positive direction to better prepare our children while maintaining a country that it’s citizens can be proud to call home.
I urge you, please join me to take the time to become educated on all candidates on the upcoming ballot. And take the time to vote. Then at least you have done your part to move our America in the direction you desire.
Katie Wubben