Local governmental officials are invariably problem solvers. Political affiliation is nearly impossible to detect as locals view situations and seek solutions, be it extending internet and EMT coverage or deciding effective WCSD configurations or how best to deal with blighted properties, or whatever. Disagreements naturally arise but the focus is on the problem and solution, not on those who disagree.

At the state level, its a different ball game. Party politics reign and despite the party caucus, power rests in the hands of the small group of party leaders, in both parties. Individual members go along to get along.

State legislators rely on party financial support in campaigns and cooperation is rewarded with committee assignments and intra-party promotion.

Problem solving gives way to the next election – the procurement of campaign money, politicizing issues for campaign advantage and focusing on demonizing the opponent, away from focusing on the situation and solution.

In Washington, it doesn’t get much better, worst in most ways. Party and legislators’ positions often shift in the wind as the next election dominates. This is particularly true when a political party does not negotiate a party platform among members and relies on their leader to announce priorities and positions. Hence, even more authority moves to the party leadership.

Are the parties equally flawed? I offer the following:

¯ Benghazi 2014 select committee hearings – there were six investigations and over 100 hearings dealing with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s role in the 2012 Benghazi Terrorist Raid; findings: “no evidence of Clinton wrong doing and no proposed legislation.” However, as Rep (R) Jim Jordan later said, “It did demonize Hilary. Her favorable ratings went down.”

¯ Jan. 6 Capitol Storming 2022 select committee – one investigation and nine televised hearings, resulting in legislation to prevent a re-occurrence. The findings are the framework for special prosecutor Jack Smith’s four point upcoming court case against Donald J. Trump.

The Clinton Benghazi wrong doing was an accusation not factually supported.

The Jan. 6 wrong doing is factually supported with evidence provided almost exclusively by Republicans, from Trump regime insiders. The Smith case against Trump is less than 50 pages long, loaded with specific facts, and very readable.

Such is how far our political system is out of whack – accusations are presented as if factual; accusations need collaboration, supporting evidence under oath, to be factual. Yet Fox, which is the MAGA followers’ major opinion forming television network, continue to promote unsupported accusations.

Our challenge as citizens is to do as our local officials do and focus on situations and solutions. We need to do our homework (read the Smith Report and follow the court cases’ proceedings) and focus on the problem and solution.

As a registered Democrat, I would be delighted to have Trump as a 2024 candidate but as an American I would not.

The last time a candidate campaigned for the Presidency while in prison was in 1920 – Eugene V. Debs, American Socialist Party, was convicted to a ten year sentence for violation of the 1918 Sedition Act, when Debs criticized America’s entry into World War I as it went against his populist/working class views. Debs was not convicted of trying to over turn elections for personal gain. Debs was a true populist, not merely a self proclaimed populist cult figure.

Many of Debs’ political platforms were eventually adopted during FDR’s New Deal, including workers rights, children labor law, etc. He also promoted women’s suffrage.

We have too many political opportunists; we need more problem solvers.

Don Scott is a North Warren resident.