logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
commentary
February 15, 2024
Politics of life

Personally I have never been a fan of politics on any platform. However, the politics of life seem to be getting more and more out of hand today.

The politics of life not only refer to the activities associated with leadership in our world government but also in our own city government. This includes our workplace politics, church politics and even the politics of everyday life.

I can honestly say that I have always hated politics with a passion, mainly because I have seen way too many pursue their own selfish agendas with no regard to how it will affect everyone else. In fact, I have seen many leaders fall when they put more emphasis on what they want than what the people need.

I do know there is a true purpose for politics. That purpose is to enable certain members of society to collectively achieve important goals that they couldn’t achieve individually. However, these members must always be thinking about what is best for the people they serve, whether nationally or locally.

Unfortunately, in our world today, you don’t see many who are looking out for the better good as a whole. In fact, it seems that after leaders become voted into positions of power they often don’t back up their promises made to the public who put them there in the first place. Rather than caring about the greater good of the people, they often work around agendas that better themselves.

So what do we do to become better citizens and get involved with politics that affect us on a daily basis?

First, we need to pay attention to what is going on around us. This isn’t just what you see or read on social media. Subscribe to your local newspaper and read facts for goodness sake. Local papers will inform you on matters that affect your area – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Then identify issues that concern you and attend town hall meetings, city council meetings and school board meetings. Get an up-close view of what’s important to your city’s legislators and school board. If it concerns you then voice your concerns in writing or during meetings when citizens can comment.

Also know who your local legislators and politicians are and how to reach them. Every year in our Focus magazine we try to list these political people along with their numbers so if you have a problem you can reach out to them with your concerns. We also do an extensive layout of their political views that takes us weeks to prepare and put out ahead of the polls so you can choose who you really want to represent you.

Often political parties hold rallies and meetings to get to know these politicians and ask them questions prior to voting them in. But the thing is – you have to show up to know what might affect you in the long run. Don’t vote blindly.

It really doesn’t matter what you’re dealing with, whether it’s church politics, workplace politics, school politics or city politics, if you want to know how they affect you – get involved! Don’t just complain on social media, get off your butt and go to these meetings! I go regularly to these meetings and I only see about 10-15 people from the public each time. Occasionally at a town hall meeting I might see more people, but seriously it’s not even a drop in the bucket compared to our town population.

So I guess my point is – the politics of life do stink, but unless you read up and square up with what’s going on in your world and in your neighborhood, you really have no reason to complain because in reality you are part of the problem. You don’t get involved until there is a problem and by then it’s too late. The bomb has already dropped.

However, hopefully you decide to do something differently. Maybe taking an hour or two out of your month to attend these meetings will help you better understand your world and why we cover it because we think it matters. Maybe then we can all work together to make our world, our towns, our workplaces, our churches and our communities better for everyone.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
this is a test
D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
this is a test
Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
this is a test
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
A: Main, News...
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A site out of this world
A: Main, News...
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
this is a test
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
News
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
this is a test
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
this is a test
News
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
this is a test
News
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy