Conservative?

[ricky bobby]

I consider myself a conservative but when I read some of the comments on Walton County Republican and Tea Party pages on Facebook and other blogs, I wonder if there isn't some confusion about conservatism. I'm not interested in whether candidates for local offices hate Obama and the Democrats and are so far to the right they're about to fall off the edge of the world. I want representatives who are honest, accountable to the voters, and act responsibly and in the best interest of all the citizens of Walton County. Hatred and bashing elected officials at the national level isn't going to do anything for us.

[kurt]

You sound like a moderate. Most people in America are. They want a normal and good life but get sucked in to the drama promoted by the media. Listen to your inner voice and people you trust, not all the noise around you. It will turn you bitter.

[ricky bobby]

You sound like a moderate. Most people in America are. They want a normal and good life but get sucked in to the drama promoted by the media. Listen to your inner voice and people you trust, not all the noise around you. It will turn you bitter.

I'm more libertarian than anything else. I dislike the direction the country is going in and I'll vote for Romney and the whole Republican ticket on the national level. On a local level, I'll consider the qualifications and any other information I can get on the candidates. The corruption in Walton county troubles me and I don't give a pass to the little Republican clique, just because they rant and rave about how conservative they are. They sure as heck haven't been conservative with our tax dollars.

[mputnal3]

The problem with a two party system is polarization in the absolute. In otherwords you can not be a true blue republican or democrat if you are a moderate. This presents problems with candidates who are trustworthy moderates since the party will not support. We are in a bad place right now with our political envirnoment in that voters have only two options and neither option allows for moderate thinking. I heard an interview with the house speaker where he stated that compromise was not something that is considered a good thing in politics. I am now very disillusioned regarding either party. The only solution is for the voters is to demand a third party that allows for moderation in social and political issues. There is a new organization called America Elect that may be that third party one day but for now the superpacs control the outcome of an election. So, we really have two problems with our political system which is superpac controlled elections and the lack of a party that allows for moderate and compromising platforms. I like some things about the democratic party, some things about the republican party and some things about the libertarian ideology but there are no candidates that fit this bill. Good luck to me and others who are kind of tired with the lack of compromise and moderation in congress, at least for this November...

[Annie66]

I'm from Alabama and where I lived, all our county officials run as Democrats but most say they're conservative. On a national level, most people vote Republican. The ethnic makeup of the area has much to do with county party affiliation. While we have had some colorful elected officials, I've never seen the kind of thing that I see around here. And where I lived most of my life the school superintendent is appointed by the school board like 99.5 of the rest of the United States.

[Lake View Too]

The problem with a two party system is polarization in the absolute. In otherwords you can not be a true blue republican or democrat if you are a moderate. This presents problems with candidates who are trustworthy moderates since the party will not support. We are in a bad place right now with our political envirnoment in that voters have only two options and neither option allows for moderate thinking. I heard an interview with the house speaker where he stated that compromise was not something that is considered a good thing in politics. I am now very disillusioned regarding either party. The only solution is for the voters is to demand a third party that allows for moderation in social and political issues. There is a new organization called America Elect that may be that third party one day but for now the superpacs control the outcome of an election. So, we really have two problems with our political system which is superpac controlled elections and the lack of a party that allows for moderate and compromising platforms. I like some things about the democratic party, some things about the republican party and some things about the libertarian ideology but there are no candidates that fit this bill. Good luck to me and others who are kind of tired with the lack of compromise and moderation in congress, at least for this November...

This sums up my position extremely well. I cannot understand when a politician brands another politician as a "moderate", as if this is a terrible thing. There is no mistaking which side of the chasm I am on, but I have to wonder what the Republican extremist think they are achieving by widening the divide... again, I want to emphasize I am a moderate Democrat.

[Andy A]

This sums up my position extremely well. I cannot understand when a politician brands another politician as a "moderate", as if this is a terrible thing. There is no mistaking which side of the chasm I am on, but I have to wonder what the Republican extremist think they are achieving by widening the divide... again, I want to emphasize I am a moderate Democrat.

They are achieving the same thing as the liberal extremists...who also widen the divide. Oh, and I'm a moderate Republican.

[Jdarg]

I wish the candidates for Walton County Commissioner, school board, superintendent, judges, mosquito control, etc. would not start their campaign bios or ads off with "A true conservative Christian" or their party affiliation- I really only care what you are going to do about the problems of our community. If you are more concerned with church or your political party stuff, you aren't concentrating enough on the issues here.

[Andy A]

The answer to the problem is to do away with all party affiliations below the state level. It works quite well and the candidates tend to run on what they will accomplish and not on what they are personally.

[Jdarg]

The answer to the problem is to do away with all party affiliations below the state level. It works quite well and the candidates tend to run on what they will accomplish and not on what they are personally.

YES YES YES!!!! I am constantly flabbergasted here!

[lenzoe]

The answer to the problem is to do away with all party affiliations below the state level. It works quite well and the candidates tend to run on what they will accomplish and not on what they are personally.

Good idea. I'll vote for that.

[ricky bobby]

The answer to the problem is to do away with all party affiliations below the state level. It works quite well and the candidates tend to run on what they will accomplish and not on what they are personally.

The only offices that Democrats can win in Walton county are school board and Mosquito board. Too bad the superintendent's position isn't NPA. Better still have the board hire a superintendent and that would eliminate party affiliation. The best argument for a hired or appointed superintendent is that the most qualified people could be sought out and it would eliminate a political popularity contest. Only in Florida can a high school dropout run for head of the schools.

[kurt]

Nice idea Andy. Except parties create division and conflict. Conflict causes people to reach into their pockets. Money makes politics go round on every level.

Besides as soon as you sounded serious about eliminating party, the party leadership would brand you a fascist, or an anarchist, or an extremist, or a nut, or un-american, or all of the above and worse.

[Bob Wells]

The only offices that Democrats can win in Walton county are school board and Mosquito board. Too bad the superintendent's position isn't NPA. Better still have the board hire a superintendent and that would eliminate party affiliation. The best argument for a hired or appointed superintendent is that the most qualified people could be sought out and it would eliminate a political popularity contest. Only in Florida can a high school dropout run for head of the schools.

Actually if a superintendent were hired vs elected it would still be a political job. Those that are elected to the School Board could change/ fire the appointed individual and pay out based on the contract much like happened with the County Administrator.

[Annie66]

Actually if a superintendent were hired vs elected it would still be a political job. Those that are elected to the School Board could change/ fire the appointed individual and pay out based on the contract much like happened with the County Administrator.

That's true to some extent but the superintendent's position begs for a highly qualified person. In 47 states and 23 counties in Florida, The argument seems to be that the board is held accountable for the superintendent. If the board hires a bad superintendent the board can do something about it. With an elected superintendent, the public is stuck with them if they do a bad job. Also, Florida is the only state in the union where a high school drop out can be school superintendent. But maybe the board doesn't care to be bothered by having all the responsibilities and accountability. Hopefully the school board isn't on the same level as some of the commissioners.

[mputnal3]

If Kurt is right then there will never be a "true" democracy (I am not saying your wrong). If Andy is right then there is hope that we can have a government that supports our local communities (because that is where we ALL live, work and play). Andy, we would need a very special leader, a true Statesman that could implement a non-party way of government. I nominate you. I may not always agree with you but I believe you have the communities best interest in mind over ideology. I do not think you would be closed minded to someone else's idea because they have a different ideology. Do I have a second for this nomination?

[Bob Wells]

That's true to some extent but the superintendent's position begs for a highly qualified person. In 47 states and 23 counties in Florida, The argument seems to be that the board is held accountable for the superintendent. If the board hires a bad superintendent the board can do something about it. With an elected superintendent, the public is stuck with them if they do a bad job. Also, Florida is the only state in the union where a high school drop out can be school superintendent. But maybe the board doesn't care to be bothered by having all the responsibilities and accountability. Hopefully the school board isn't on the same level as some of the commissioners.

That is seriously funny coming from you as you seemed to have issue with both the school board and the Superintendent.

[Andy A]

Nol, no second. And while I appreciate the very nice and thoughtful words, I am well past my prime for activity. You are right about best interest in my community but I am very opinionated as far as ideology is concerned.

I have seen the non partisan (no R or D after the name) procedure work extremely well in Oklahoma. Maybe the elite here in Florida, now my home and proud of it,can learn something from those backward and uneducated Okies.
There are a lot of things that need correction and improvement in Walton County and this is just one of many. I, and many others, are here to help that occur any way we can.

[Annie66]

That is seriously funny coming from you as you seemed to have issue with both the school board and the Superintendent.

Glad you find it amusing. The point is that in a lot of places the board actually is the boss and superintendent operates at the pleasure of the board. In Walton county the opposite seems to be true. My biggest problem is that the district won't justify some of their actions. I think that being able to justify your actions is what accountability is all about.

[mputnal3]

It is good to be opinionated about issues involving people in our communities and not just ourselvles. I think ideology is good which is a belief in a method to improve our communities. So the common denominator is unselfishness in terms of improving our community. Selfishness is a human trait that has to be managed by listening, being open minded and being grounded in the fact that our community is vital to our individual well being. I believe there are a very few leaders among us that are able to listen to others who may disagree with us then implement policy based on what we can afford and is needed in our communities. What begins to cloud our leaders to affect positive change in our communities is money, greed and the actual power over people. These things corrupts both our opinion and ideology. A true Statesman can resist those negative influences and hold true to the community that he is a part of. I believe that there are only a few among us that are able to hold true to our community over money, power and religious/spiritual beliefs. Where do we find good leaders? I believe we have to look for people who are involved in their communities, who have experience of what works and does not work and finally someone who is able to listen to ALL people living and working within our community. I would rather vote for an 80 year old man or woman with positive community involvement than a Harvard educated/disconnected from the middle class politician. I believe that description would fit with either of our presidential candidates. One candidate is affilliated with the party of zero compromise and the other with a party of having nothing to compromise. Either way results in zero support to our communities. We need to build back America from the ground up which starts in our local communities and not in uncompromising ideologies...

[Bob Wells]

Glad you find it amusing. The point is that in a lot of places the board actually is the boss and superintendent operates at the pleasure of the board. In Walton county the opposite seems to be true. My biggest problem is that the district won't justify some of their actions. I think that being able to justify your actions is what accountability is all about.

That seems to be all politicians in this County, so what else is new and how will that change with one less politician in the Walton County Schools.

[Annie66]

That seems to be all politicians in this County, so what else is new and how will that change with one less politician in the Walton County Schools.

For one thing it would eliminate one party affiliated official since the school board is NPA. It might also challenge the board to be more proactive rather than to simply approve every recommendation from the superintendent. We pay the board members a nice salary for having one meeting a month and to rubber stamp everything. But it's wishful thinking to believe that anything will change since I'm sure most of the incumbents will be re-elected and it will be business as usual.

[shellak]

I am a life long Democrat, and I appreciate your honesty about what you are seeing here. There is a very extremist element within the Republican Party down here. I am sick and tired of being bashed and being told I hate God and am unpatriotic because I am a Democrat. I think you do represent the views of the majority of people in this country but the ultra Conservative Republicans just yell louder. I totally agree that what we should be seeking is ethical and responsible representatives in Walton County. It has been a "good ol' boy" system for so many years. We definitely have a lot of work to do in our county. When the chairman of our Board of Commissioners states that he doesn't really understand what is and what isn't county business, you know we have a problem!! Thanks again for your candor.