Maybe what we need more than anything else over the next 100 days is a good dose of Will Rogers.
Those 100 days are how long until the general election occurs and our fervent hope is a huge number of Americans will exercise their franchise and decide whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be president for the next four years.
Rogers had a funny line for every thing political and perhaps one not so funny that went something like this: “This nation is bigger than any man (or woman) or party. They couldn’t ruin it even if they tried.”
In the minds of many pundits, on both sides of the political abyss, ruining the country is exactly what each candidate will do if elected. Not likely. Too many checks and balances stand in the way, and with either their ultimate aim, we have to think, is to carry on the nation’s role as being where the buck stops. And, just as importantly, to have the U.S. remain the land of the free, home of the brave and where social and cultural advantages accrue at an accelerated pace.
During the next 14 weeks, we’ll witness contentiousness and acrimony far more often than we’d prefer. Charges, counter-charges and downright kicking and screaming will fill the airways, and be found in many published pieces having to do with the campaigns.
Accept what you will, but be careful to temper that with a little fact-checking and listen to rebuttals. Sometimes what is said is done for effect, and skips the taste test.
MEANWHILE, we’ve local elections to decide.
We will pick Republican candidates that in at least two primaries Tuesday will produce eventual winners.
Facing off for Allen County attorney are the incumbent, Jerry Hathaway, and his opponent, Linus Thuston. For the District 2 county commission seat, incumbent Tom Williams is opposed by Ron Ballard.
The race for sheriff has drawn three to the primary and a fourth may enter the race today.
Incumbent Bryan Murphy is opposed in the primary by Kelley Zellner and Jared Froggette. If his petition numbers are sufficient — County Clerk Sherrie Riebel will check them — Mike Aronson, an Iola police officer, will have his name on the Nov. 8 as an independent candidate.
Tuesday’s election is important to folks throughout the county and it would behoove every Republican who hasn’t voted in the advance phase to do so Tuesday. Polls open at 7 p.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m.
— Bob Johnson
