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Just like the flu, there's
bad politics everywhere
I believe there is an epidemic -- no, a pandemic -- in our country. Clearly, the signs are everywhere, but are we so accustomed to them that we can’t see the mess at the end of our noses.
Well, it’s time to grab the Kleenex.
There has been much written about the goings-on in our local governments. I mean all of them, not just those in the county seat. It is well documented, and I have seen firsthand the evidence. I do honestly feel there are sincere individuals within our government who want to do what is right, but they have difficulty cutting through the layers of “hockey,” as my dad was known to say, to get constructive ideas to fruition. From what I have seen, there can’t be much fun or carefree about serving the public, especially if you already have a day job. So, for their willingness to suffer the slings and arrows of the locals, I salute them.
But also from what I have seen, local government should hold its head up and not be ashamed of how actions are taken. I listened to the so-called health-care summit from Washington last week and from what I heard, our locals can dance around an issue or posture for the media just like the big boys.
This being the case, what should we do? Will voting them all out fix the problem? Perhaps, but just for a while, because the people you really want to run and take over a leadership role see what is happening and want no part of it. I dare say that perhaps several of our local servants knew this going in but felt that maybe, just maybe, things could be different -- only to learn that, just like Don Quixote, they are tilting at windmills.
And that is why they have my respect. I may not like what they are doing or how they are going about it, but at least they are out there, fighting the good fight.
They have thankless jobs. They are expected to be all things to all people and to be fair to everyone, without a hint of showing favoritism. Those of us out here who are parents know this is not possible. You do your best to do what is right, but there will always be a person or a group feeling slighted -- and usually very vocal about it.
And what should a civil servant do in response? Should he ignore the matter and hope it will disappear? Should he meet directly with the individual or group voicing the complaint? Should he simply issue a public statement and let it go at that? Which is the right path? No one knows for sure, and let me tell you why.
The idea or belief that life, and all that goes with it, is fair is unrealistic. Being fair requires a 100 percent commitment to one way or the other. It does not create space for compromise. If you do for one, you must do for all in order to meet the fairness standard. It excludes prioritization, preference and individual differences, even within the group presenting a claim of being ignored.
There is no win-win situation.
I know what you are thinking: “But what if all parties agree on the outcome? Isn’t that fair?”
And you would have a valid point. But think of it this way: If all parties agree on the outcome, wouldn’t that mean that no one felt treated unfairly in the first place? Wouldn’t it mean that individuals or groups asked for more than a fair share in order to negotiate back to what they feel they really deserved?
What’s fair about that?
So, from where I sit, why put yourself through the aggravation day in and day out? The only answer I can come up with is: “Because it is worth it to at least try to move things forward.” If that is the case, then I say, “Amen, brother, and more power to you.”
The next time I go to a city council meeting or watch televised “summits,” I will stop and remember those people are there because we put them there -- and then we complain about them.
What’s fair in that?
Visit Brent's blog: commonmangazette.com
BUT GIVE THE FOLKS CREDIT FOR TRYING TO DO SOMETHING
AS I SEE IT
BRENT DAVIS' COLUMN
MEET THE WRITER
Brent Davis
    Brent Davis of Benton is a graduate of Benton High School and the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. He has been a local columnist. Davis is married with four children and one grandchild. Here is Davis' introduction to you in his words:
    Being a Baby Boomer from a small Southern town, experience has taught me that sometimes, things are not exactly as they may appear.  Growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, my outlook on life was shaped by my family, my church, and my peers – in that order.  The world was a much smaller place back then and we will explore the world “As I See It” today.
POSTED MARCH 2, 2010
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