BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART, BUT USE YOUR HEAD
I was at dinner last night downtown and while talking to some of my server friends, I asked them if people talk about taxes over dinner. They told me “yes.” They told me that the small talk usually consists of the Colts or Pacers or some quirky news story. Now it consists of taxes. Using a very unscientific survey they told me taxes are a big issue and one of out every three people talking taxes are really mad and plan to vote. Now that is unscientific, but anecdotally it is very telling of the anger that is seething in the electorate.
In less than 48 hours the voters of Marion County will go to the polls and decide the fate of this city for the next four years. I hope everyone goes to the polls and votes based on an informed decision with the appropriate mix of emotional attachment. Having been in politics in one form or another since 1992, I fully understand how the heart can be more of a guide than your head. As human beings we tend to not gravitate toward things we don’t like, food, music, mayoral candidates. I perfectly understand, but with so much at stake in this election all I ask you to do is think first. If you hate Bart Peterson, but know he’s the best choice for the city, then vote accordingly. If you love Republican Greg Ballard, but don’t think he’s up for the job, then vote accordingly and vice-versa.
One of the best things about my job is that I get to talk to a lot of people from across the city. And I have never been in a place where so many people are so mad about everything and are just waiting to take it out on someone. I disagree with my media colleagues who say the undecided voters will stay home. I argue the undecided will vote and will more likely take it out on the incumbents. All I ask those people to do is think first. And after thinking about it, if you reach the same conclusion, then throw the lot of them out with my blessing. Not so much for what they did, but for what you did, which was think for yourself.
