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Government Could Use A Little Respect

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By CHIP FLETCHER Special to the Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 25, 2008

I was appointed to the Tampa City Council in 2006 to finish a term for a departing council member. My term ended about a year ago. It was a tremendous experience, and I wish more people interested in government could have the opportunity to sit on the other side of the podium.

Good government is in many ways about respect - respect for the people of the city, respect for city staff, respect for the police and firefighters who put their lives at risk so our families can be safe, respect for all those people whose livelihoods are affected by the city each day, and respect for the dedicated residents who work so hard to represent their neighborhoods and improve their quality of life.

After a year to reflect, I think this is the most important lesson for every person living in a civil society. There are always at least two sides of every issue, and the person who ultimately has to make the hard decisions will always make some people unhappy. Whether it is the president of the United States, the governor of Florida, or a member of your local city council, they will invariably disappoint some of their constituents. But when it comes time for them to make the hard decisions, if they gather all the information available, listen to the people and professionals who know a thing two about what needs to be done, and make a contentious decision grounded in common sense, they deserve our respect even when we disagree with their decision.

All Americans can and should give voice to their beliefs. I wish more people would. But, we need to focus on civil, constructive debate. We may vehemently disagree with other people's opinions, but all people who engage in public debate deserve our respect.

When I was on City Council there were times someone would try to sway me through personal attacks, belittlement, or engage in outright name-calling. I was never swayed in the direction they wanted. I always remembered the words of a great leader on a mountain in Israel nearly 2000 years ago who told his followers to treat other as they wanted to be treated. I suggest to you that even in America today, this is still the rule each of us should live by.

How did I fare in my short foray into public office? Well, one "political professional" commented that I managed to get through it without making any enemies. I think he meant it as a compliment. I don't know if is entirely true, but it does highlight one of the most important things I learned on the City Council - listen to people, be honest with them, and sincerely consider what they have to say, and most of the time they will respect your decision, even if they disagree.

If we can all agree on that, we will be in a great place to begin any other discussion.

Chip Fletcher is a Tampa attorney.

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