MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Opinion

Discussion

June 20, 2012

THE PEOPLE SPEAK – Prudence dictates vote for incumbents

I guess the election of Barack Obama as president has inspired many people to seek political office.

For a minute his election had me hyped up enough to believe I could win any office I choose to seek, even governor. But once the hype wears off, reality sets in, which is that I don’t know the first darn thing about being a governor, having neither the political connections nor the education. The law requires only a high-school diploma, but prudence dictates a lot more.

Speaking of prudence, any registered voter with a high school diploma can run for Muskogee County Clerk, but prudence dictates that we want a person with experience. If we have an incumbent who has done a good job, then we ought to keep them as long as they are willing to stay. That is why I am voting for Dianna Cope. She worked in the County Clerk’s office for 28 years, before becoming County Clerk last October when the most previous one retired.

It is unfortunate that Oklahoma’s county governments use the spoils system, where each incoming office holder brings in his own people and throws out the incumbent subordinate workers. The result is that when an incumbent loses, we end up with all novices in the affected office. The office of County Clerk is the administrative branch of county government. Its duties are many and varied, and the laws governing the execution of those duties are very complex.

My point is that you can’t walk in office off the streets and make a competent county clerk. The position requires years of experience as a subordinate. Prudence dictates that we elect experience over hype. That is why I am voting for Dianna Cope and all the other incumbents. I see not where anything needs changing at Muskogee County.

GREG SMITH

Muskogee



 

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