Accountability

Yesterday, while we were going over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for a gigantic turkey dinner, my children began fighting with each other. As this is a rare (daily) occurrence, we took very little notice of the commotion and name calling. Until one of them broke the cardinal rule. The response to something one said was, "That's stupid!"

To explain, we have instituted a pretty rigid rule in our family. We especially encourage debate of ideas and we require opinions. Critical thinking is a required course, and since I have not yet received a passing grade from MY parents, why would my kids even dream that they could obtain one from me? Within reason, you can say pretty much what you want, but uninformed opinion, without some sort of backup, is not tolerated. Something can be stupid, but you better be ready to show where the stupidity is. No one has a monopoly on truth or virtue.

My spouse's radar screen went wild when "That's stupid!" was uttered and looked at me with rolling eyes, knowing full well what was coming next, while wishing there was a place inside the car to duck and cover. "Why is that stupid?" What evidence do you have to support that view?" The questions started rolling off my tongue. After a few stammering half hearted attempts at blustering past the point, I obtained a full confession and apology from the offending offspring. Needless to say, there was a sulky silence from the offending offspring for the remainder of the drive.

All attempts at obtaining accountability from the NSNs through the primaries and election have been successfully beaten back and/or deflected, mainly because there is no one in charge threatening to pull the car over and demand explanations. And, indeed, as a candidate, while there was some moral imperative to providing campaign promises with specifics, there was no real obligation to provide anything more than a successful case to "Vote for Me!"

On December 3, 2007, that grace period ends. For better or for worse, the NSNs are no longer candidates: they are board members, with the responsibility to answer to all of the citizens of Morrisville, not just the ones who voted for them. Since Biblical times, it has been the practice for leaders, as well as other citizens, to be accountable to each other. Indeed, the framers even wrote this into the US Constitution in the checks and balances between the three branches of government, requiring interdependent accountability.

Think for a moment about the service you require from your employees. Before you protest you don't have employees, think about your plumber, contractor, mechanic, and even your doctor. Haven't you employed them by engaging their services? Don't you have strict expectations and requirements for their performance? And don't you hold them to that standard?

I encourage all Morrisville citizens, yes, even those who supported the NSNs, to require accountable progress from these elected servants of the people. They are now our employees. Ask them what they are doing. And think about the response you get. Evaluate for yourself if progress is being made.