“Do the Due” This Election Season

When our kids were young, there was a popular soft drink with the slogan, “Do the Dew”. That soda was full of sugar and caffeine so we didn’t let our kids drink it, but the phrase has been on my mind lately.  It’s because of the term “due diligence”. 

You might remember the developer who last week admitted he had not done his due diligence before buying the property near Ramsey Road and Appleway.  His due diligence, which is a legal term for proper research, was not comprehensive; he didn’t dig deeply enough into the background and history of the land.  The property looked fine on the surface but testing revealed it was once a garbage dump and will need expensive remediation before it is strong and stable.

Well, voters, we need to “do our due” now too.  Our due diligence in this critical election season is to look deeply into the candidates of our choice.  Don’t rely on the media.  The rhetoric on TV news and commentary programs has hit an intensely fevered pitch.  It’s exhausting to watch the contradictory parade of claims and counter punches.

As a business owner for almost 25 years, I’ve examined countless job resumes.  It’s amazing how great people appear when you see only what they want you to know.

My due diligence, as a potential employer, was to look past the polished resume descriptions and ask the difficult questions.  The answers were sometimes deal breakers; the information could reveal significant problems. So my suggestion is to ask the candidates tough questions during this election season.  We are hiring these public officials to represent us and they need to pass our test.

There’s a wise old saying that “past performance is the best predictor of future behavior.”  We voters should research what the candidates have truly done; look at their achievements, list out their jobs and the experience they bring to the position. These factors point to realistic expectations for the future much more than catchy campaign slogans or slick commercials.

And search for missing information. Look for what they’re not telling or for any holes in their stories.  On job resumes, I learned to merely glance at the listed references because those were names applicants wanted to show.  Instead, I spent time calling people they had actually worked with.  I confirmed employment dates, positions, pay scales, etc.  You would be surprised at how many seemingly wonderful job applicants lied on their resumes to inflate their status.  They, of course, were quickly removed from job consideration, as should any candidate who is not honest about their past or misrepresents their record.

So, as we enter the final days of this grueling election season, just say no to the sugar and caffeine hype screaming out of news stations. Research your own candidates.  Dig into their past, check their real accomplishments, review their actual policies.  At both the national and local levels we have some important choices to make, choices that will have dramatic impacts on our lives. Please take time this week to do your due diligence.  The surface my look good but if there’s any garbage hidden away we want to find it now, before the deal is complete.  We can’t afford to take chances with our future.
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Dear Newsletter Readers,
My column in this past Sunday’s Press reflects my growing frustration about media bias and the apparent lack of voter preparation.  Have we become a society that mindlessly goes along with whatever the networks tells us?
I’ve been re-reading one of my favorite novels, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”.  I’m not a big science fiction fan, but this well written little book was penned in 1953 and eerily predicts a society with huge TV walls on all four sides of people’s living rooms.  It describes folks using little sea shell shaped ear buds to listen to their “friends”, the characters in the TV walls.  They vote for the presidential candidate because he’s “tall and good looking”, and the people in the wall tell them which way to vote.  Have we lost our independent thought?  I hope not.
Have a good rest of the week. –Mary

Mary Souza is a 20 year resident of CdA, local small business owner and former P&Z Commissioner.   Her opinions are her own.  For a free archive of past columns visit www.marysouzacda.com