Evaluating the integrity of elected officials

The current budget crises facing our country and some states bring up the issue of integrity in our elected officials. Integrity is a characteristic which should be exemplified in those we elect to represent us and make the necessary decisions to keep our state or federal government operational. These are not easy times and hard decisions must be made, but the process of making the hard decisions seems to be flawed as indicated by many news reports.

At the state level we have seen politicians elected to represent their respective constituents leave their post to delay a vote on legislation, thereby exhibiting a disservice to their state and those who elected them. Other examples have seen news reports where politicians make statements about legislation passed by another political party which do not necessarily present an accurate picture. This kind of activity is also a disservice to those who have elected individuals who make such statements. To be fair this kind of activity is not restricted to one political party. Granted there are problems with our political system in some respects, but they pale to the inaccuracies presented in some news reports about specific legislation.

The political process we have in place is a great one, but when individuals present inaccuracies or incomplete information simply to make a point for their position it shows a lack of integrity. This is not to say that there are not issues which need to be addressed, but the complete facts need to be identified in such situations. There can be a difference of opinion regarding issues and the approach to resolve them. Every individual has a right to their opinion, but that opinion should not be presented in such a way as to skew the facts. Voters need to understand the issue from both perspectives so they can decide how they feel if they have the opportunity to voice their opinion through their vote.

Another area to determine whether a legislator has integrity can be seen in the votes cast for legislation being presented. Elected officials at all levels of government must vote on the merits of the legislation before them. It should not make any difference who originated the legislation or who supports it. Integrity in the political world seems to be lacking based on the results of polls taken with regards to the approval ratings of legislators and legislatures.

Integrity also seems to be lacking when one party in power has the leverage to pass legislation without utilizing the input from another party making the legislation bi-partisan. Politicians need to understand that to have good legislation, the input from all individuals must be utilized. There is no one party that has all the answers though they may feel like they do. In these situations the integrity or lack of it can be seen in the votes on any legislation being presented. It is understood that each political party has individuals that are tasked with keeping legislators in line with the party philosophy. While this is the process, it is one which needs to change. Voting by any elected official should not be about the party, but about the legislation, its content and its merits.

The final say on whether elected officials have made the right decisions can be seen in the votes of their constituents come election time.

It is important that we understand and recognize elected officials who act with integrity in the decisions they make regardless whether their opponents are painting a different picture. When individuals are running for office who are competing for the same position, they must present their case as to how their opinions are different and why. A lack of integrity is also involving when those running for office are personally attacked as individuals rather than for their position on the facts. Political candidates are human beings and often have life situations which are not out of the norm. To try to depict a picture otherwise does not say much for the individual or group making those comments.

The results of elections of 2012 and some still in 2011 will impact our government at the state and federal levels. Examples of issues facing states such as the recall of elected officials, adding amendments to a state constitution and deciding whether legislation passed by their state legislature will remain or be abolished once the voting results are known. In all these the integrity of the information being presented by elected officials or those who support or oppose them will potentially have a large impact on state operations.