Why most qualified are hesitant to run for office

The classic Greek philosopher Plato once referred to what happens when the wisest people in our community, state, and country sit on the sidelines of democracy, “The punishment of wise men who refuse to take part in the affairs of government is to live under the government of unwise men." Those words, spoken over two thousand years ago, still relate on a basic level to our own present-day government. If some of our most capable and knowledgeable members of society choose not to go into public service we are left with the consequences of being led by those who've mastered the art of political gamesmanship and use of exhaustive talking points, instead of those with applicable experience in the subjects at hand and even the most visible hint of humble common sense.

At first thought it’s completely understandable why people are reluctant to participate in government, whether it’s running for office or simply holding a position on a board or committee. Even before considering the internet and 24-hour news cycle, drawbacks can include the potential for continuous scrutiny, unfair misrepresentations, and to the frustration of taxpayers and elected officials alike, agonizing gridlock. Now, with advancements in technology, civic progress and individuals’ reputations can be held ransom at the mercy of a Twitter, Facebook, or blog post that can be sent to thousands with the simple click of a mouse. Even if you’re able to escape all of that, with the simple declaration of a party affiliation, a percentage of the public will likely automatically caste you to the extreme as a right-wing, Conservative Republican or a leftist, Liberal Democrat whether it’s deserved or not.

This, all in addition to the actual problems needing to be addressed by the position. The most enduring and long-standing politicos might say you can’t handle the heat or don’t have the backbone upon which to guide your service. When in reality, it doesn’t mean you lack the courage of your convictions; it simply means you value the life you’ve built for yourself along with the relationships you’ve developed too much for them to be trashed by those who enjoy rolling in the mud of public character assaults. Yes, it’s easy to understand why the ‘wise’ may choose to take their ambitions to the private sector and use philanthropy as their way of leaving a mark on their community.

But as quickly as we can come up with the list of reasons not to participate in government on a personal level, it takes a little more to realize what the implications of non-participation are to our community as a whole. While a simple answer to the gridlock, scandals, and non-solutions we witness everyday is to go on with our lives independently and write the entire lot of politicians off as phony, incompetent, and self-serving; that mind of thought won’t solve the problems we face any better. As Plato stated, it’s the consequences of not participating we must consider, where inaction leaves us with the same unsatisfied results we had previously. At least with active engagement, those who envision a better way can say they put forward the effort.

The wise may consider staying away from government participation, but it is also the wise with the most potential to prove to us again public service is a noble undertaking. After all, it is the wise in settings outside of government whose actions are based on the situation at hand, not a pre-determined political philosophy established decades in the past. It is the wise that consider the long-term, big picture and not what many times are the insignificant pieces of the whole when making substantial decisions. And yes, it is the wise that refrain from the common acts among politicians and their associates that make us hesitate when the opportunity for public participation presents itself.

So while we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day this week in our own unique ways whether it be enjoying a parade, festival, cookout, day at the lake, or a simple chance to relax, remember 235 years ago it was a collective group of ‘wise’ men who didn’t refuse to participate in their government, but did refuse to live under the rule of the unwise.

Turn complacent apathy into participation and we, like them, can also set the course for generations to come. We get the government we deserve and many times it starts with who decides to throw their hat into the ring in the first place.