Editor, Times-Union: If you believe there is a need to change the way our state government runs and move Indiana forward, take the time to evaluate what has happened and choose a candidate that can make a difference and vote. If you don’t vote, our situation will remain the same and you don’t have justification to complain. Indiana’s per capita income is 38th in the U.S. and falling ($38,812 Bureau of Economic Activity) as residents continue to struggle and our brightest young adults leave. This needs to change. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is seen in Indiana politics and here are but a few examples. State representative Eric Turner privately lobbied against a bill affecting his family's nursing home business. The State Ethics Committee lets him off. The Indiana Toll Road private consortium is bankrupt. Five hundred million dollars of taxpayer money was misplaced and later discovered but not before public schools saw significant budgets cuts. No one was held responsible. Governor Pence doesn’t allow state’s application for federal funding for Pre-K program to be submitted and offers no plan to replace money for a program to help those children most in need of this assistance. Richard Mourdock, former state treasurer and Tea Party favorite, quit his job early. Why? To avoid cuts to his retirement benefits. Interesting from a politician that espoused cutting government but he made sure he maximized his government entitlement. I guess his limited government view only applies to others. We need elected officials that are not interested in personal gain or rigid political agendas but in public service. That starts with electing leaders that are interested in solving problems, working across the aisle and making sure that political power is not used for corrupt purposes or harm the public good. In Kosciusko and southern Elkhart counties, David Kolbe is the right leader for state representative in District 22 to bring about positive change. He is intelligent, experienced and thoughtful and would be fair to all constituents. His agenda highlights programs to improve economic conditions of area residents and making sure that those who are most vulnerable have the support they need. Unfortunately, his opponent, Curt Nisly harbors extreme views and gladly accepted the endorsement of the Gun Owners of America whose leader associates with white supremacists. He also calls debates a distraction and showed his lack of competence at the recent Chamber Candidate Forum. He says he is for small government but took $7,500 to build the Elkhart County Clerk’s office website and used the website to link to his campaign, a serious infraction and unethical behavior. He remains under investigation with the State Election Commission with a pending December hearing. These traits are not what we need in an elected official. David Kolbe is the superior choice to make government work for the people and move Indiana forward. Chose wisely, chose Kolbe. John Bonitati Kosciusko County Democratic Chairman Warsaw, via email
