AAC
SEEMS TO ME ... Where is the voice of reason?
ally liked the Cambridge Dictionary definition: the ability of a healthy mind to think and make judgments, especially based on practical facts. Today’s political climate seems to have the innate ability to muzzle the voice of reason. Or at least make the issue or con- tested race so confusing that reason is reduced to a whisper or unable to be heard at all above the deafening roar generated by outside individuals or groups trying to sway an election with half-truths, quotes taken out of context, innuendo and out-right lies.
W Why would any proud Arkansan listen to the ploys of out-
side groups that have no interest in the well being of our state but are interested only in their self-interests? Tose interests are not usually honorable either. Tese outside “noisemak- ers” offend what little intelligence I have. I hope you find it offensive, too.
All the “loud noise” — malarkey, hooey and poppycock, as I call it — in many of today’s political races and ballot issues is paid for with dark money. Dark money is a term for funds given to nonprofit organizations, primarily 50(c)(4) [social welfare] and 501(c)(6) [trade association] groups, that can re- ceive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals, and unions, and spend funds to influence elections. Tey are not required to disclose their donors. Something should be done about it — as much as is legally possible. I fully understand that most people are busy — busy making a living and raising a family, busy getting the kids or grandkids to various activities, cooking and cleaning, taking care of the house and yard, attending church activities, local sports con- tests and civic meetings. But all of us — every last one of us — have the responsibility as citizens of our city, county, state and country to expend a little energy to get properly informed on the issues and candidates so we can cast an informed ballot on Election Day.
I am appalled at the lack of knowledge concerning ballot issues and candidates — sometimes even among those elected to serve. Te “outside” pro/con noisemakers tend to be small, very
vocal groups in comparison to the populace, but they are well funded. In our busy world it may be easier to listen to the loudest voice. But does that serve us well? Simply remember that these outside groups spending dark money — millions and millions of dollars in Arkansas every election cycle are do- ing so for their own benefit, not ours. All of us have disagreed with some decisions of government
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here is the voice of reason! I looked up the definition of “voice of reason” and found the most prevalent definition to be: a person who influences others to act sensibly. I re-
or government leaders at various levels over the years. Tat does not mean we should “cut off our nose to spite our face.” Not “everything” is wrong as some would try to make us believe. Mardy Grothe, the North Carolina
psychologist, marriage counselor, pub- lic speaker and writer — who wrote that whimsically illustrated example of chiasmus in “Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You” — said, “Te voice of reason is inaudible to irrational people.” I want to be counted among the rational. Many times the silent majority ends up feeling either threat- ened or adversely impacted by some government decisions, real or imagined. Ten everyone seems to react, properly informed or not, to the loud voices planting emotional buzz words, half- truths and un-truths calculated to stir up our basest feelings. Tey want to make us feel so afraid, angry or threatened that we will rush out to cast a knee-jerk vote. I respectfully submit to you that we should all block out the loud noise of the outsiders. Don’t listen to the loudest voice. Te ignoramus crow of “love it or leave it” or “the sky is fall- ing” omits other viable options, such as “staying and chang- ing it.” Get the facts, listen to the candidates themselves, and listen to your own voice of reason. One of our founding fa- thers, Tomas Jefferson, said, “Whenever the people are well- informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” All across the state of Arkansas — in every county — we will have candidates on the ballot for city, county, state and national office. Get out and meet the candidates. Ask them the hard questions. Tey will be glad to take your phone calls and answer your questions. Anyone running for public office, worth their salt, will want to address your questions and con- cerns because a person who is running for the right reason is a “public servant” at heart — interested in serving their con- stituents and in working to make a good government better. Statewide there will be five ballot issues to consider. Te Ar- kansas Legislature placed on the ballot two issues, both Con- stitutional Amendments. Tree issues successfully made the ballot as the result of citizen initiative campaigns. Two of these are constitutional amendments and the other an initiated act. Spend some time to get informed on these issues. Te two constitutional amendments referred by the state legislature are: • Issue 1 — An amendment concerning civil lawsuits [com- monly referred to as tort reform which will cap jury awards] and the powers of the General Assembly and Supreme Court
COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2018
Eddie A. Jones County Consultant
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