One of the greatest gifts my parents gave to me when I was growing up was our dinner together every evening. I realize now in this hectic day and age how precious these dinners were.
During dinner, we would often watch the news and discuss the issues of the day. This was back in the day when news was not partisan and it was not entertainment. It was simply news. When the news wasn’t shouted at you and the objective was not to stoke fear and paranoia at every moment, but to inform. When news programs actually were “fair and balanced” and didn’t just claim to be.
From our discussions, it seemed to me that good policy and good governance actually could make a positive difference in people’s lives. After all, isn’t that why some countries thrive and others do not? Isn’t that how America came to be in the first place? Because our forefathers realized representative government was a better alternative than tyranny?
As I talk to the folks in our community, I hear a lot of discouragement about the state of politics and government these days but I have not yet lost hope. I still believe in the power of good governance and even more in the power of people to do amazing things when given the right conditions and opportunities. I am running for office because I want to protect what is already good and to bring about positive change where needed.
My father loved to paraphrase Winston Churchill saying, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all others.” Our system isn’t perfect but we, the people, have the power to make it better.
Melissa Hartman, candidate
Senate District 3, Whitefish