Daniel Stockfield It seems like a never-ending campaign – people get elected to office, and then before you know it, the time arrives to start seeking re-election.

Since many terms of local, state, and Federal officials are of a relatively short two years’ duration, it follows that our elected leaders find themselves needing to stake out political turf in order to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Indeed, many argue that this constant campaign cycle is detrimental to good government, forcing our leaders into very uneasy, often hostile positions of competition with other officials. Many times a former alliance between politicians will be broken as the two of them set their sights on the same job. Those who are concerned by this practice believe that such competitions are unhealthy for good government, forcing the resolution of major issues to the sidelines in favor of politically-charged, seemingly contrived controversies simply to gain favor with voters.

Others would assert the opposite – that political “discord” creates a “discourse” which forces important issues to the conscious mind of the voters and officials. In this view, this constant attention to major issues on the public stage creates an accountability that would otherwise be absent. We hear much about bipartisanship, and many people believe that simply bringing people of differing opinions together in a pressure-free situation will help to stimulate problem solving for universal benefit. The opposing viewpoint is illustrated by remarks made by radio commentator Rush Limbaugh in 2009: “Bipartisanship occurs after one other result. And that is victory.”

In other words, the political fight takes place first, and then the two sides come together after somebody wins the argument.

What do you think is the best way for political issues to be handled? Is the constant political cycle beneficial? How would you change the system?

Please participate in the process and make your voice heard by our elected leaders. Participation, to ensure that leaders at all levels – local, state and national – know the issues that are vital to business, is really the only guaranteed way that our views will be heard.

—Jennifer Maher Chairwoman Putnam County Chambers of Commerce