Compromise takes sacrifice, not unyielding principles

Leaders in a free republic should serve the common good. That’s why the U.S. system of government and our freedoms have captivated and inspired people around the world. Basically, we are proof that a free people can make the right choices and self-govern and, usually, do the right thing.

We depend on elected leaders to pass ordinances, statutes and laws that don’t serve one political party, one political ideology or one autocratic leader. The best lawmakers try to do what’s best for the majority of our citizens, even those citizens who may not have voted for them.

It’s tough. It takes compromise, but compromise is not really about finding common ground, it’s much more nuanced and much more difficult. It requires sacrificing something important to you in order to accomplish something more important for the country, the state, the county, the town. Often heard among politicians is this phrase: “I am not going to compromise on my principles.”

Well, see, that’s the problem. If you won’t give in a little — on crime, immigration, abortion, gun control, local zoning, climate change, energy policy, taxes, education, etc. — then nothing meaningful will be accomplished, movement on solving the big issues will grind to a halt … and we’ll have the kind of stalemate that has had D.C. in its grips for a decade or so.

I’m a stubborn man, and so I know how difficult this is, sacrificing for the common good. I grew up with that as a common refrain. Perhaps it will come into vogue once again. One can only hope. •••

Speaking of politics, it’s always affirming to see elected leaders in the small counties and towns where I’ve practiced my trade as a journalist do what they do for the right reasons. People have different motivations for getting into politics, and many change after they get some power and let it go to their

heads. So here’s a shout out to three Western North Carolina county commissioners who just lost their seats. Haywood County Commissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick, Jackson County Commission Chairman Brian McMahon, and Swain County’s Ben Bushyhead — agree or disagree with them on the issues — but they’ve spent many years serving their constituents. Scott McLeod Editor I’m sure there are others who have lost a race or who are still serving who fall into this category, but these three stand out to me. It wasn’t about the spotlight, they did not grandstand at meetings, it wasn’t about them; they quietly and diligently went about trying to make their counties a better place to live. We can all be replaced no matter what our jobs, but that does not take away from the lengthy service these elected officials gave to their counties and to the many elections they won without resorting to some of the negative tactics so common in today’s politics. Jobs well done. (Scott McLeod can be reached at info@smokymountainnews.com)

Don’t let tunnel vision run your life

LETTERS

To the Editor:

Let me start by saying that on November 8 I worked the polls, and the views I am expressing are strictly my own and should in no way reflect the opinions or policies of the Haywood County Board of Elections and its staff.

The main thing I did on Election Day was to work the voting booths. I found voters an

empty booth and was available to answer questions. This Election Day, almost every question was about how to vote only for candidates of whatever party that voter wanted. There were several uncontested races with candidates from both parties running with no challenger. I was asked many times, “Why is there no one from my party there? Do I have to vote for THAT other person? I don’t want them.” I answered that no, you never have to vote for anyone you don’t want to. You can just leave it blank.

But it seems to me that maybe this person is not being challenged because they do a great job and the other professionals in that field may respect that and are comfortable with them continuing in that job.

But the question that alarmed me the most was the voter who asked why no were no party affiliations in the school board races. I explained that the state legislature determines which offices will be partisan or nonpartisan. That encourages people to get to know the candidates and what their views on local education issues might be. And what they might have to offer. The response I got was that this voter certainly did not have time for that. Just put the party on the ballot.

So here’s what I think. I early voted. I voted for candidates from both parties. I care about the quality of the candidate and their record, not just their party. But, if you want to go in the voting booth and help choose who is going to handle my tax money, or be my judge, then follow through with your philosophy. Next time you need a plumber, don’t ask around to see who is best or cheapest. Your only question should be “How are you registered?” Need a knee replacement? Most people want someone qualified. All of you with your one-party blinders on should only ask “What’s your affiliation?” Stop thinking at all about how well anyone you have contact with is doing their job. Your only query should be, “Are you in my party? If not, hit the road.”

This might make sense to some people, but I think most people don’t want to have party affiliation govern every decision they make day to day. Don’t live your life based on tunnel vision, and please don’t take it into the voting booth either.

And that’s what I think, for what it’s worth.

Rich Byers Waynesville

Why vote for the unqualified?

To the Editor:

Could someone please explain to me why an experienced, qualified tax collector who has successfully run the office for Haywood County was voted out in favor of a college student with no experience and no qualifications that I am aware of? Surely, surely it’s not just because there was an “R” after his name.

Did we learn nothing from the Cawthorn fiasco?

Joanne Strop Waynesville

What I learned running for office

beginning that running as an independent candidate would present significant challenges for victory. I was even encouraged by many to run as a Republican to have a better chance to win. As I digested the political landscape on a statewide and national basis, I truly believed we had arrived at a time when an independent candidate could enter the arena and make a difference. Of course after the election results were in, I realized how naïve I was to think we may ever vote outside of a two-party system. Even though we have almost 10,000 unaffiliated registered voters out of 27,000 registered voters in Macon County, we are clearly a Republican county and the voters chose accordingly.

Another element of the campaign that surprised me was the constant effort to bring national party politics into our local election. Potential voters were less concerned about where I stood on the issues affecting Macon County, it was more about who I voted for in 2020 and who I may vote for in 2024. I repeatedly told my detractors the voting booth was designed by our forefathers to be private for good reason. As a nation, we never want to be oppressed for who we may or may not have voted for in an election. It is important to remember, a certain political party may not always be in power, but we will always want the protections afforded by our constitution.

As I walk away from my effort to get elected, I better understand the challenges affecting Macon County and I hope our elected commissioners are ready to face these challenges. The effort to vote down the quartercent sales tax increase was successful, but this will leave a significant gap in funding for education infrastructure. It will be interesting to see how a new high school and other important projects will be built without a significant increase in property taxes, considering we

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Divisive politics isn’t the only way

Does the American political divide have to divide friends? Families? Communities? Or is there an alternative approach?

I have asked myself this question many times recently. It started for me after driving home from college to vote last week. As I walked into the polling station I was warmly greeted by many old friends and people I knew growing up in Waynesville. Some were outside passing out flyers, others were volunteering inside to help with the voting process. I felt good after casting my ballot and contributing to our democracy.

But when I walked outside the polling office, I was caught off guard by a question from an acquaintance passing out flyers. “Did you vote for the right people?” she asked, waving a flyer for her party in my face.

After a moment of shock, I was able to regain my thoughts enough to reply with, “The right people? Yes. Your candidate? No.”

I must admit I had a smug grin walking back to my car knowing that person’s eyes were searing through the back of my head. Despite the immediate satisfaction this comment gave me, the more time passed, the more it bothered me. I realized that more than likely my friend and I would no longer be on good terms. I had let American politics divide me from a friend … I am sure that many can relate.

Part of my discomfort with our political divide stems from an experience I had last summer during a study abroad trip to Nepal. During my stint of research and teaching in a small mountain village, I was honored with invitations to participate in many rituals and practices unlike anything I have experienced in the United States. Among these, one memory stands out with regard to the turmoil of our winner-takes-all

election system. Whenever this mountain community needed to make decisions, they didn’t have an election. Instead, they held community meetings in which men, women, children and village officials alike come together to hash it out. They invited me to one of these meetings even though I was an outsider who would be gone in a few weeks. At this meeting, everyone gathered around in a circle in the middle of the village. There was laughing, comradery and Andrew Wampler Guest Columnist the sharing of Tik Tok videos. After the jokes and small talk that are standard in Nepalese culture, the officials and townspeople began to deliberate. Everyone’s voice was heard, and everyone was happy to listen. Eventually they came to an agreement and passed around a paper for everyone to sign. For those who were too old to enjoy the first schools in the area, help was given in signing their names. I was even asked to sign my name (for what good that did). At the end of it all, when I was able to talk to one of the meeting’s initiators, I found they were discussing the installation of an irrigation system, deciding where it would be most productive and what community members needed it the most. With my limited Nepalese, this meeting had just sounded like old friends chatting. This stands in stark contrast to my returning to the United States and experiencing the divide in families, friends and communities over politics. Cooperation and middle ground are not words often heard in American politics unless it is to say there will be no cooperation from my party. While this divide has always felt like a given in America, I have realized that it doesn’t have to be. The Nepalese village meeting taught me that we can cooperate with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, family and even outsiders. We can listen to each other. We can work through our differences. We can remember that in the end, people — not political parties — are what’s important. (Andrew Wampler was raised in Waynesville and is a student at Appalachian State University. wampleras@appstate.edu)

LETTERS, CONTINUED FROM 23 walked away from approximately $2 million in annual revenue, of which 45% would have been paid by non-residents.

The most talked about issue on the campaign trail for me was access to high speed Internet. Making headway into this issue will require significant collaboration from our elected leaders and community leaders, and it will need to be accomplished if we do not want our children and community left behind. Other issues that will continue to have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of Macon County residents include affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, access to healthcare and economic development. There is much work to be done.

I would encourage the people of Macon County to stay involved in the policy making process by reading the newspapers and attending or watching online the county commission meetings. We all need to be held accountable for our actions and this new board will need input from you to keep Macon County a great place to live and raise our families. I am grateful I had a chance to be a part of the election process and I look forward to staying involved as a citizen. Jerry Moore Highlands