Listen, Y’ Hear?

It feels good to be listened to.

Listening to others is polite, and usually results in unexpected benefits for the listener.

Listening is also important. California proves that last point.

I’m sorry to beat up on California so often in this column, but the current election circus offers plenty to make you smirk, shake your head, and even think about.

One way to look at that state’s current election to recall the governor, with more than 100 varied candidates trying to replace him, is that it results from lots of people being listened to. California’s frequent use of citizen petitions to put all kinds of issues up for a statewide vote lets lots of people express their opinions.

Is it too much of a good thing? Or maybe some less-than-sensible policies are created by too many mainstream voters staying home and letting the radical fringes decide the state’s future.

That reminds me of one of my favorite quotations, from British philosopher and politician Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

My practical message from all that is that you should get involved by voting in the election for Kentucky governor and other state offices November 4. Put it on your calendar now and make your plans around it.

Listening is hard. Making sure you’re listened to is especially hard these days. Both are worth the effort.