Editorial: Judging Politicians By Achievements

Come October or November this year, Liberians will go to the polls in general and presidential elections to elect a new administration. This is in consonance with the Liberian Constitution, which allows general and presidential elections after every six years. 88 Legislators will be voted for by potential voters throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Already, campaigning is ongoing with some presidential and legislative aspirants venturing into cities, towns and villages to attract votes, while others continue to see Monrovia as Liberia and not taking the first step.

For us here at the New Dawn-Liberia, we are of the fervent belief that the people of Liberia would do themselves justice if they based their decisions on ISSUES and PAST ACHIEVEMENTS since the last general and presidential elections, regarding the socio-economic and political development of our dear country-Liberia, other than personality contests and sentiments.

With more than a dozens persons targeting the Liberian presidency and several others aspiring for the legislature, we do believe that  other than regretting whatever judgment Liberian voters will make in October or November, we must ensure that what the candidates have done, have one way or the other impacted our socio-economic and political life and growth as a people.

By first understanding the qualities of these candidates and their past achievements, we can greatly depend on their campaign promises and place our trusteeship into their hands for a better Liberia, beginning January 2012. But to base our judgment for the presidency, senate and House of Representatives on tribalism, sectionalism and other forms of sentiments, would be the saddest political mistake of the 21st Century.

More besides, whatever political decisions Liberians make and how they are made will go a long way in determining the future Liberia we currently envisage for ourselves, our children and children’s children. And in the process of making such judgment, we must exercise the highest degree of tolerance-listening and interacting with all candidates, if possible, as a way of determining whether or not their plans/activities are in consonance with our own criteria, without harsh/hot exchanges and other forms of violence.

While we exercise tolerance, as well as disagree to agree during our nation’s electoral process, we must remember that WE ARE STILL L I B E R I A N S, and that after our general and presidential elections, we will once more continue to be Liberians.