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By PAUL GULLIXSON
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
“At the point you’re alone and scared, you have to create a vision for the future.”
— Deborah Scaling Kiley, one of two survivors of deadly 1982 shipwreck
No disrespect intended, but as those of us on The Press Democrat Editorial Board began interviewing election candidates last week I was thinking about survival. I was mulling over the book “Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why.”
The book is filled with stories of people who made it through incredibly desperate situations — being lost at sea, wounded on high mountains, trapped in rubble, etc. Author Laurence Gonzales then explores the psychological traits that set these survivors apart.
In general, he found that survival doesn’t go to the fittest. In fact, the over-confident Rambo-types are often the first to go. Instead, survival often belongs to those who are willing to accept their situation, adapt, be humble, be positive and, most of all, maintain an “interior orientation.”
“If you have an interior orientation, you believe you can do things to improve your situation,” Gonzales said in an online interview. “You believe you have some control over your environment. This is a good thing for survivors. The exterior orientation is someone, for example, who is always complaining about stuff happening to them, always expecting others to rescue them … This is not a very good way of thinking if you get into a serious survival situation.”
Makes sense. But it struck me last week that we shouldn’t be looking for these traits just in ourselves in times of crisis. We should be looking for them in our leaders as well. And if this isn’t a time of crisis, what is?
This is one way of explaining some of our thinking — speaking for the Editorial Board, if I may — as we begin the process of interviewing candidates in the Nov. 2 election.
Over the next eight weeks, we will be interviewing dozens of candidates and supporters and opponents of state and local ballot measures. This week, for example, we will be interviewing the seven candidates for Santa Rosa City Council.
Voters face an exceptionally long ballot this time around, including nine state ballot propositions, 18 local ballot measures, 28 contested local races — city council, school board, special districts, etc. — with a total of 126 candidates in this county alone. We won’t get to all of them, but we plan to sit down for 40 minutes with a good number of them before making our recommendations.
Readers often ask how we go about choosing which candidates to endorse. That fact is our criteria are never the same because our circumstances, as a state and a community, are never the same. But it should come as no surprise that the economy, jobs and budgetary issues will be the focus of our questions this time. Specifically, we want to know:
How realistic are candidates about the days ahead? The most critical piece of advice given to climbers of Mount Everest is “respect the weather.” Those who don’t often perish. We want to know whether candidates respect the storm clouds that continue to gather over local budgets. Do they understand we’re in for a long tough journey, or do they talk as if they expect sunny skies to return soon? Do they see the answers in short-term fixes (i.e. furloughs, deferred raises, more service cuts) or are they willing to accept the need for long-term changes (salary reductions, restructured retirement benefits, etc.).
What are their perspectives on economic development? Sonoma County unemployment rose to 10.8 percent in July.
Nearly 25 percent of the office space in the county is vacant. In Petaluma, it’s more like 40 percent. What should local governments be doing to encourage young entrepreneurs and assist established businesses without compromising long-standing environmental values?
Do they have humility, and are they independent thinkers? Do they have the courage to stand up for what they believe is right, even if it means disappointing their core supporters?
Finally, what is their vision of the future? As noted in the quote at the outset, a positive outlook is a common trait among survivors. Our community needs leaders who will be able to communicate such a vision and aggressively work toward it in the days to come.
We don’t know the answers. But we believe this election offers a good opportunity to elect candidates who, first and foremost, believe in this county’s ability to help itself — as opposed to those who believe mostly in complaining and waiting for someone to rescue us.
As Gonzales concluded, that’s not a very successful orientation in times like these.
Paul Gullixson is editorial director for The Press Democrat. E-mail him at paul.gullixson@pressdemocrat.com.
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It is our job as citizens to dig for the truth before voting. You really can’t rely on the expensive glossy fliers showboating how great someone is, and how awful someone else is… fliers = money to me.
At last election, I called each candidate running for city council and Supervisor. I asked questions on what they thought about topics that are important to me.
It was very eye opening and helpful. Also, you can do some research on the candidates to see what committees they belong to, and organizations. It is good to read the minutes of meetings where they have had input.
We have a lot of information available to us, we just need to use our cognitive skills and put in a little effort. That is OUR job.
Because if you don’t know, you shouldn’t vote.
The challenges that we are facing are the exact reasons that I chose to get involved, and become one of those 126 candidates.
The magnitude of the economic turmoil that we are facing, and the resulting loss of government revenue require us to look beyond the band-aid measures that generally have allowed us to skate through the lean years (until our economic engine restarts and replenishes the depleted coffers).
The solutions must treat the core problems, and not just the symptoms. And they will most definitely involve economic pain and hardship… there is no way around that.
Yet I, like many others, have faith in people, and the ability, collective skill and willpower of our local communities to come together and make correct decisions… what is needed from local political leaders is to present well though-out and sensible solutions, and to advocate them strongly, making their case and being willing to accept responsibility for the outcomes.
Thank you, Mr. Gullixson… your comparison is apt. In times of hardship, there are victims, and there are survivors- which will we be?
I usually post my comments to articles or events related to the campaign on my blog http://www.jimjudd2010.com however after reading Mr. Gullixson’s article I have to admit, I appreciated the article and the underlying concern he has expressed.
The fourth branch of government, us, the average citizen must become involved and as Mr. Gullixson states “the ballot is long” and at no other time in our lifetime has an election been more important for the voters to understand the issues and know the candidates platform. Take the time to inform yourself for you and for your future, because hard decisions lay before us, we as voters own the solutions to the challenges and we own our vote.
The solutions start with you as an individual, than as family and on up to your neighborhood, community, city, county, state and federal level. We’re all in this boat together and it’s time to get the oars of our ship working in synch and move forward. Actions speak louder than words and it’s time for action.
Get involved… I have and I know of many other who have too; WILL YOU?
Mr. Gullixson readers appreciate article like this and I certainly would like to see more.
Thank You
Jim Judd
Candidate 6th Congressional District
Thank you for article Paul. Based on your comments and the reflection of left wing Gonzales there is at least an acknowledgement that there is no leadership in the county or country. This would be an ideal opportunity for the PD to actually represent itself as an unbiased reporting journal to help northcoast residents and what is left of your readership find leaders that will truly represent the communities, county, state and country. If the PD editorial board were creative enough you could increase readership and revenue and educate people. A suggestion would be to have readership send in 3 one line questions to ask candidates for review and consideration. And, for many of us, to have a credible conservative editorial member be part of the process. For example, finding someone other than some professor from SSU or SRJC.
Seems like all the “choices” offered are to cut wages and services for working people. Welcome to the new feudalism.
There is no mention about allowing taxes to return toward levels in place when we did succeed in getting rid of deficits…without this included, we have a one-sided conversation, the outcome of which will increase the income gap and our dis-enfranchisement. I wonder if this was purposeful, or an oversight?
After you gut education, transportation and housing, will you go after food too?
Very fair article. Hopefully when it comes time to endorse candidates the PD doesn’t fall back on the old Democrat party line. “More public sector jobs and spending our way out of this mess.” It is time for some serious thought and consideration for the welfare of all of the community not just special interests.
“Do they understand we’re in for a long tough journey …” I’m not sure I even understood this two or three weeks ago.
This does not appear any longer to be a 2, 3 or 4 year process. Current economic thinking seems to be 10 years! Tough choices ahead. Very tough.
You have always endorsed the Dems in the general elections. How about giving the other guys a chance at running things, especially in California?
I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the article. This economic downturn may last for a while and we are going to have to make some painful choices for everyone. I agree that being able to see the big picture and responding based upon reality as opposed to wishful thinking is essential. Our school district is already discussing what our priorities should be as we begin the anguishing trial of triage.
“…candidates who, first and foremost, believe in this county’s ability to help itself — as opposed to those who believe mostly in complaining and waiting for someone to rescue us.”
Awesome! I look forward to seeing the recommendations that come forth.
Thank you to Paul for acknowledging the difference between a furlough and a salary reduction. Hopefully the newsroom will take note.