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In last week’s online poll, The Times asked, Do you trust elected officials to make decisions for you?
Based on the results as of late last week, four respondents answered, Of course. That’s 1 percent of all respondents who have faith in elected officials.
Twenty-five percent answered, Depends on the issue, with 111 votes.
A whopping 74 percent, 333 votes, answered, Absolutely not.
The Times poll did not ask about specific elected officials. We did not specify the President, Congress, the governor, state legislators, city or county officials. We did not ask about party affiliation. We said only “elected officials,” which arguably covers them all.
While this poll question is by no means scientific, it does represent crises in both leadership and the public trust.
Given news on the local, state and national levels lately, who can blame the public for mistrusting elected officials?
Especially from the national level, the public feels awash with political grandstanding, obstruction, corruption, obfuscation, etc. Officials no longer seem to know how to lead. People no longer want to follow their traditional leaders.
Citizens should always maintain a healthy dose of skepticism regarding elected officials. Skepticism ensures the public pays attention to what its leaders are doing and encourages leaders not to stray.
Yet, there is nothing healthy when skepticism corrodes into cynicism.
At that point, even when an elected official does the right thing, people have lost so much faith in the system that they can no longer trust any public official.
We may not be there ... yet. But 74 percent suggests we are mighty close.
Elected officials must learn how to lead. If they can accomplish this, solutions and the public trust will follow.
What We Think
What We Think: Losing the public’s trust
- What We Think
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. -
Furloughs: They beat the alternative
As summer break nears, many area education boards have spent the final school days preparing faculty and staff for furloughs for the 2012-13 calendar.
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Getting a jump on hurricane season
Come June 1, the 2012 hurricane season begins and lasts through Nov. 30.
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A few thoughts for new graduates
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Video helps veterans
During Thursday night’s Military Officers Association of America meeting, the local chapter shared a video presentation regarding the Community Blueprint program, which is also known as Valdosta Veterans First.
For those unfamiliar with Community Blueprint, Valdosta is one of three cities across the nation selected as a pilot city for the program. -
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother. Mama. Mommy. Ma. Mom. She fed us when we were too small to feed ourselves. She nurtured us, clothed us, cleaned us, protected us.
She helped us form our first words. -
Thumbs Up. thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. Brian Hickox. Valdosta’s newest chiropractor overcame great odds to open his practice last week. Born with partial vision, an assault robbed him of the remainder of his sight. Despite these odds, he followed his dream to become a chiropractor. School took him twice as long, at seven years rather than the usual three and a half to complete, but he reached his goal. The story of Brian Hickox should be an inspiration to us all. It proves that we may lack sight, we may have to overcome difficulties and disabilities, but that doesn’t mean we have to lack vision.
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School’s out so watch out!
