Op-Ed: Sick of the Smears and Seeking Truth

By Lisa Haskell

Mom taught me  to never follow the crowd because a crowd can  become an unruly mob. I have always been more independent so when it came time for me  to vote for the first time, I took the obligation seriously. I didn’t rely on others to do my research for me. I didn’t take anyone’s recommendation without doing my own ” homework” kind of like grade school.  Don’t cheat. And, whatever you do, don’t write the multiplication  tables ( the nines) on the palm of your hand in red marker before reciting them to the class. Your hands sweat and the red ink runs guaranteeing you will never know what 9×9 equals and your face will be as red as the ink running down your arm. So I was told..

In today’s world being the poster child for bad behavior is considered a badge of honor.  I admit there is a time and place for that but you must decide if bad behavior should be rewarded with an elected office. Sadly, civility seems to have gone out of style. It’s a slander your opponent ( and their supporters ) , sweep your own misdeeds under the nearest rug, manipulate facts, outcomes and anything or anyone who gets in your way kind of world.  Partisanship above all else. I honestly believe if Satan ran for public office he could win if he identified with the “right” party. Would he be a MAGA member or a DSA member? Hmmm…

Locally, we seem to be having a turf dispute as in no common ground. Disclaimer : I am not being rewarded monetarily by Axon or any other “dark money” group for my opinions. Friends and neighbors ask me who to vote for and my standard response is this. Do your own homework. Don’t copy off the kid who ate…paste in school. First, make a list of issues that are important to you . See where the candidates stand on those issues recognizing that you will never agree with someone 100% of the time. Start watching council meetings…painful though it might be. You can assess temperament and suitability to serve on council. Do they play well with others, compromise, work towards solutions ? Are they receptive to other points of view or is “Residents First” just a campaign slogan? Finally, look for evidence of involvement in the community other than rabid devotion to a political party. You can watch city council meetings live by going to the City of Scottsdale website.  Viewing the meeting from the comfort of your home allows you to hurl expletives and other objects at the screen while sipping your favorite adult beverage. It’s a win, win.

I still care about the same issues I always have but I am ready to try something new. I am weary of bad behavior and refuse to reward it with my vote. Personal attacks, smear campaigns, manipulation of election results….I want to see if anyone can find common ground or has that gone the way of unobstructed views?

Lisa Haskell

Scottsdale