Had Enough Indy?

When running for office, Greg Ballard used the catch phrase "Had Enough?" on his signs. Pretty darn good slogan at the time. Pretty darn good catch phrase now, too. So, I am using it.

Let's be frank here. Mr. Ballard did not win the election for Mayor of Indianapolis in 2007 as much as former Mayor Bart Peterson lost the election. Mayor Peterson stubbornly plowed ahead with his income tax increase agenda even after the property tax issue hit the fan. At a minimum he came across as insensitive to the personal financial situation of his constituents.

While Mayor Ballard still has over half of his term left to serve, his performance to date has not been stellar. He lacks leadership in formulating and selling of his vision for Indianapolis. His abrupt manner is getting stale and a growing number of folks just consider it more 'rude' than 'tough love'. He appears not to understand that, whether he likes it or not, he is the face and voice of Indianapolis. As I said, he still has the majority of his term left and he might just get his feet under himself and prove that he deserves to be Mayor.

For the rest of us, how do we get superior candidates for office on the ballot? What changes do we need to make to the system? I for one believe that the political party system is not optimized for public input any more than the resulting government is. What is our responsibility to improve the election system and not just complain about it?

Do we try to learn to work the system? Do we try to make changes from inside? Do we work on campaign finances and let the parties sort themselves out? Do we work alongside the old system, offering an alternative approach?

All I know for sure is that Indianapolis voted against the last Mayor and we got an unexpected surprise. Now Mayor Ballard either learns on the job and rises to the occasion, or he doesn't. Either way, how do we make our next choice one between compelling visions of competent individuals who will represent us and our City with grace and intelligence? How do we get a choice between the best and the brightest? What role does, or should, the public have in fashioning who gets on the ballot and ensuring that we vote FOR someone and not AGAINST someone?

Let's talk.