SOME POLITICIANS SHOULD WATCH WHAT THEY SAY AND DO

OSOYOOS TIMES-November 5, 2008

In this season of elections, one would think that people running to get into, or stay in, office would act more appropriately.

Especially in public.

It may sound like nit-picking when there are so many issues that deserve deep focus leading up to the Nov. 15 municipal election or the May 9, 2009 provincial election, but it's hard to ignore some really unacceptable behaviour from some of those people looking to represent us.

No names will be mentioned here in the interest of fairness for all the politicians involved in upcoming elections.

This newspaper felt it necessary, however, to ask how people in the public eye and political realm could act so poorly, especially in the presence of journalists and especially when they are asking us to make them our voice in government.

In the past few weeks several candidates have been overheard using aggressive and foul language when challenged with a problem or uttering racial slurs in public places including the office of this newspaper.

And there was a resounding lack of respect at the second of two all-candidates forums held in Osoyoos.

While candidates sweated it out in front of crowd numbering more than 200 people, attempting to represent themselves in the best way possible, people who should know better were openly mocking them.

People who have been on that very stage trying to get their message out in the same way.

People who will have to stand before the public again soon to win the confidence of voters.

Getting up in front of a crowd who are scrutinizing your every move is difficult enough and demands our respect.

No one needs to face adolescent snickers and sarcastic responses.

It may be asked why the Osoyoos Times would devote space on a page to these observations.

The answer comes in the form of another question: If these kinds of attitudes and behaviours come out when it's thought no one is looking or listening, what kinds of thoughts and actions will emerge when these people are part of a government?

And how will those behaviours and attitudes affect all of us when it counts?