Dr. Eugene T. Paslov: Look for candidates with rational ideas about taxes, growth

Steve Neighbors spoke truth to power in his editorial Oct. 19. He identified Karen Abowd (Board of Supervisors) and Robin Williamson (Assembly District 40) as thoughtful, knowledgeable, intelligent candidates who take the time to find answers to complex problems (Downtown Project). Their opponents appear to be self-serving rather than thoughtful problem solvers.

Selecting good people for elective office has never been more important. It doesn't make much difference what party one represents. What counts are the values one supports, what one believes about our government, our neighbors and what one's choices will do to improve the human condition, our lives and the lives of our children. This sounds a bit grand but it's the most important consideration for our representative democracy.

A few principles for selecting candidates:

Look at a candidate's position on taxation. Taxes should not be dismissed out-of-hand. Nor should tax proposals be passed on to taxpayers without careful analysis and recommendations. Any candidate who takes taxes off the table, regardless of need, is, in my view, irresponsible. There are candidates who believe if they say no to taxes they will be elected. Perhaps. But not by me. And most reasonable people expect elected officials to be thoughtful about the needs of our community and state. Taxes are never popular; should always be debated within the context of need; they should never be dismissed from public discourse because one doesn't like them.

Be concerned about the candidate's view of government. Some actually spew anti-government rhetoric even as they attempt to become part of it. Some distrust government. They claim government is too big, too intrusive, unnecessary in everyone's life. These candidates run campaigns demonizing government in hopes of "starving" it. Thoughtful citizens realize that "we the people" are the government. Many have worked in government and know effective government works for all of us. Voters also realize the need to improve government by making it smarter (not necessarily smaller) and more efficient. We need candidates who are themselves rational, intelligent and thoughtful about government; we need candidates who can make government smarter, not dismantle it.

Finally, candidates need to be intelligent about economic growth. Let's select elected officials who are creative. They should be willing to learn about and to understand new ideas that will stimulate the economic development of our community, and not dismiss ideas they didn't invent. Electable candidates need to be thoughtful. Voters need to help grow our public/private economic base, provide good jobs and revitalize our community by electing smart, dedicated candidates. We don't need mindless nay-sayers.

Thank you, Mr. Neighbors, for helping us identify two candidates who are principled, intelligent and thoughtful.

• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.