Karns Quality Blog

Election Day 2007 has arrived, and, like most elections being held in odd-numbered years, the public does not seem to be paying attention. Of course, this is due to virtually zero electoral activity at the national level. and Americans just can’t seem to get interested in local politics. This is truly the great tragedy of our governmental system: political participation for the general public has been reduced to nothing more than voting in national elections. While I argue that voting conscientiously in all elections is the bare minimum fulfillment of your civic duty, today is the day to fulfill that duty. So people, go vote!

Although our culture seems to fixate on national elections, we as individuals have the greatest opportunity to affect change in local elections. Around here in Harrisburg, the local election of choice is for three city council seats. You can learn many of the issues surrounding this election in my post covering the primary in May.

The need for an independent City Council in Harrisburg remains. That is why it is essential that we reelect Susan Wilson and Gloria Martin-Roberts who have already shown that they are willing to stand up to Mayor Reed and ask the tough questions that must be asked when managing a city in financial distress. I have spoken to the “Reed Team” of Koplinski, Smith, and Jackson, and I am not convinced that they will be independent thinkers if they are elected to city council.