By Brad Anderson, President
What does it take? Why go through all the stress and public scrutiny to run for a public office? Whether as a member of the governing board for the Vail School District, a county Supervisor, an Arizona or US Senator, or the President of the United States? Why??
If it is for the money, the school board does not pay at all and the other positions pay only a pittance compared to similar positions in the corporate world. If it’s for ego, the campaign itself is enough to crush your spirit. If it’s for prestige, the approval rating for Congress is a whopping 19%. Over 77% of our population disapprove of the way they are doing their job. Again, I ask – why?
The only reason I can imagine is that the candidate has a true passion for the office they wish to hold. They want to make a difference; to make the school district, the county, the state or the nation a better place. Their party or affiliation does not matter; they have a passion. And we, as citizens, are the beneficiaries.
It seems this election, just like the year 2020, has been extremely bitter. We have all lived through it and regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on, we live in the absolute best place in the world. Let’s not forget that.
