December 2007 Editorial - Vote None of the Above

David has pointed out a serious problem with the election of law enforcement management. If we directly elect the management, we end up with politicians who will do things for political reasons.

But, I disagree that we should stop electing these positions. The flip side of the coin is that the election makes the person much more responsible to the people. One example is Chuck Rosenthal in Harris County, Texas. In 2005, the state passed a law making it a defense to the unlawfully carrying laws if the person was in their own car. The intent of the legislature was to make it legal for people to carry guns in their cars. Rosenthal said he would still arrest and prosecute people and let the jury see if they felt the defense was proven. There were several people and organizations that were going to actively work against him on his re-election campaign this year (until he withdrew from the campaign over other issues - having an affair with one of his employees).

If we have these managers be appointed, it will still be politicians getting the jobs. It will be the same people who now snow the people instead snowing the elected officials who make the appointments. And, while they are still politicians, they are now at least one level removed from the direct supervision by the people.

It is time we woke the American public up and made them pay attention to who they are electing. If they want professional management, they need to elect people who will give it to them. This includes the legislature, governors, presidents, and any other public office. The advantage, and the disadvantage, of a free republic is that we get the exact government that we elect.