Fresh ideas: Spend your vote where it will do the most good

"Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half. " - Gore Vidal

As a taxpayer, a stakeholder in this community, how do you choose to spend that cherished commodity - your vote?

Is it a candidate's education and work experience? Their track record? Their character? Their stand on certain issues? Their party or religious affiliation? Or is it something intangible - a gut feeling?

For me it's a combination of things. I read the paper and listen to National Public Radio. I attend government meetings from time to time. There are a few issues I care about and I try to find candidates who agree with me on those.

Beyond that, I try to find candidates who are honest, intelligent, and open. People who may not know all the answers, but who are willing to find out. People who are reasonable and can express themselves in more than sound bites and bumper stickers. People who see the big picture and know how to work with others and compromise when necessary.

I want a candidate I can identify with and trust to act responsibly on my behalf. You know, someone like me, only smarter, and with better hair. Someone like Bonnie Parnell.

Bonnie is my Assemblywoman from District 40. She's proven herself to be a leader who is both prepared and independent. She graduated from college with a degree in history, which means that she wasn't scared off by the reading list like I was. Her minor was political science, for goodness sakes. As for her independence, even though she's a teacher, she's come out against the business profits tax proposed by the Nevada State Education Association. She is, of course, supportive of public education, but believes there are better ways to support it than with a new revenue source. I have faith in her ability to work toward a solution.

During the 1999 Legislative Session, education wasn't Bonnie's only concern. She also worked on reducing juvenile violence, making schools safer, and improving conditions for seniors and state workers. She cosponsored a bill to reduce government interference in the operation of small businesses.

Bonnie remained committed to fiscal responsibility on behalf of working Nevadans and retirees. That's especially important to me because, although I make a decent living, I am pretty tight with my money. Just ask my husband and children.

And if I'm sharing my income with my government, I want to make sure that my tax money is spent wisely, on services and policies that benefit us all: police and fire protection, schools, healthcare -- especially for seniors and kids -- and roads.

Since her election in 1998, Bonnie has demonstrated that she's more than a single-issue candidate by bringing her unique perspective and depth of understanding to the job of legislator. She is a complex person well-suited to a complex job.

When I attended the Chamber of Commerce luncheon and Assembly candidate's forum back in August, it was obvious I was in the minority, both in my support of Bonnie and in the way I choose a candidate. It became immediately clear that many in the room had pretty much decided on their candidate before they lined up for the buffet. OK, I had too.

The audience didn't seem to believe that a teacher -- of all people -- could be responsive to the needs of business. However, many felt that a businessperson -- the "No New Tax Gal" -- knew what was best for education: charter schools and no more money. Boy, if it were only that simple.

At the League of Women Voters forum, I heard Bonnie's challenger once again make the point that she deserves a place in the Legislature because, unlike Bonnie, she owns a "tax generating" business. She seems to forget that the taxes she "generates" really come from folks like me who purchase her goods and services. Believe me, my family generates plenty of taxes every day, because we have jobs, own a home, and buy stuff. Unless she's printing the money she gives the state in taxes, her business is merely the conduit through which my money passes on its way to the State Treasury.

Bonnie Parnell understands this. She respects all of her constituents -- both the taxpayers and those who Bob Thomas calls the "tax-takers." She sees the fallacy in this division. Bonnie knows we are all in this together. We need each other.

As corny as it may sound, each election is still about "liberty and justice for all." My vote is precious. I plan to spend it where it will do the most good for the most people. How will you spend yours?

Lorie Smith Schaefer and her husband have been voting in Carson City since 1978. They have raised two more voters who are now in college.