HERE & THERE COLUMN

  The Coal Mines Of National Politics

  Local elections are getting closer and we hear folks asking what proposals candidates for the county legislature  will make.
  The coal mines of national politics is also getting a lot of attentions as veteran politicians are being challenged by challengers  who previously have  been very comfortable in corporate boardrooms.
  Some so called political experts are voicing opinions that candidates have to possess political backgrounds and that these are necessary qualifications to be president.
  Non political candidates are advocating that they possess a lifetime of leadership, an understanding of how the world works, how bureaucracies work, they understand technology, understand leadership and have executive decision-making knowledge.
  We hear comments that the office of president needs leadership of a different kind and that our government was intended to be a citizen government and not one of a professional political class.
  Many statements are being made that our nation is at a pivotal point and that many want something else out of our government  then what they are now getting.
  Over and over again the folks are heard saying that Washington and the federal government is a mess that needs to be cleaned up and that we need a much better system of reaching out to all kinds of people.
  The call for our government to become more realistic and empathetic....not judgmental is expressed by many.
  There is much discussion that we need to talk in common-sense terms not in politically charged sound bites.
  People say they don't like the anger and the vitriol and the arguing in politics and that serious issues need serious conversations about them.
  The fight for the direction of our nation is just beginning and many entrenched politicians don't agree with non-political candidates who advocate big changes in Washington.