What should we expect from politicians?
What should we expect from politicians when we hear them speak? Shouldn’t it be to address our specific legitimate needs and concerns?
Here are some things I think we want to hear.
A brief summary of the politician’s background.
Limited factual criticism (if mentioned at all) of his/her political opponent.
Specific issues of public concern with detailed information regarding financial sources and resources to meet these concerns.
Limited mention (if any) of “good things” about his/her political party.
An opportunity to address responses to fresh questions from the audience.
If you share these views, why not express some to politicians with whom you have an opportunity to meet or hear?
If politicians will relate to these suggestions, we might see a rise in public confidence.
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I’m grateful for reader responses to my column on neighbors helping neighbors. Several readers spoke or wrote, for example, of thoughtful neighbors who had mowed their lawn in the summer and shoveled snow in the winter.
Some responses were freshly baked pies, cookies and cakes, and gifts of flowers from their yard.
Such messages warm me on these cool fall days.
Don Kleinsmith is a professor emeritus at Adrian College where he has taught for 45 years. He can be reached at kleinsmith968@gmail.com or 517-263-6357.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Don Kleinsmith: What should we expect from politicians?
