The best leaders are usually those who never sought out the role. Service without seeking fame. Action without craving attention. Unfortunately, our political system is such that most new politicians that dive into the arena have to compromise something to align with every aspect of whatever political party they choose to go with. No one is all the way left or all the way right. But somewhere along the lines, the political parties have demanded all-or-nothing, 100% dedication to the party line. Moderates don’t win elections anymore because neither party wants them, despite a majority of the population wanting some middle ground in the policies that affect their daily lives.
And this leads to explosive, unwavering fighting across the aisle. It yields little to no effective change for constituents and is, frankly, embarrassing for both parties. No wonder the general public derides the political profession as a whole. Add to that the default finger-pointing, with no one able to take their legitimate self-blame, and we are left with a completely farcical system that we, as tax-payers, fund. It would be the biggest joke of our nation, except that it isn’t funny at all.
What we really need are leaders, leading by example, with public service at the forefront and recognizing, above all else, the definition of a constituent as, say it with me, those who did and did not vote for them! Our system needs to reaffirm compromise as opposed to toeing the party line right off of the cliff we are up against.
We need people in our community who have run businesses, who have raised children, who have worked a 24-hour shift, who have been homeless and worked their way out of it, who have cared for an ailing family member, who have built something with their hands, who have been spanked as a child, who have fired an employee, who have worked in a service industry, who have participated in a neighborhood watch program, who aren’t afraid to ask if the status quo is really the right way to do something. We need people who aren’t consumed by hubris, who want to see change that isn’t currently being realized, who agonize over the decision to run, but who love their community more than the anxiety they feel throwing their name in the hat.
And then we need volunteers that believe in those people enough to advocate for them, campaign for them, help them understand the more nuanced issues, and who get excited about their message of common sense and compromise. For once, the pendulum needs to stop swinging and arrive at the middle ground.
Are you that person? If you’ve never considered running for public office before, if the idea makes you a little sick to your stomach, if your family looks at you like you’ve completely lost your ever-lovin’ mind when you tell them, then you just might be the right person for the job.
Shawna Pfeiffer is a guest columnist, a life-long Doña Ana County resident, graduate of NMSU, small business owner, hobby farmer, dog-lover, outdoor enthusiast and mother to two young children. She can be reached at srpfeiffer1@gmail.com.
