Focus on political systems in election decisions

It's time now to get serious about the problems affecting our state and nation. Really serious.

In February, Illinoisans went to the polls to determine who would represent their parties in races for some of the most powerful positions in county, state and national government. In about four weeks, we'll vote again, this time filling those positions with men and women who will help determine the quality of life in the suburbs and nation for years to come.

Sadly, the way ahead of them is not much clearer, perhaps less clear, today than last spring. Many county and local governments wrestle with funding dilemmas and leadership crises. Illinois has adopted campaign finance reforms, but in half measures that desperately need attention. The state's budget deficit hit $13 billion in February, and nothing has been done to address that. The national economy has sputtered out of recession or so we are told but tens of thousands of Illinoisans struggle with unemployment and declining incomes. Action on health care has divided the nation, and we remain bogged down in an inscrutable war, ostensibly against terrorism, in Afghanistan.

With all this in mind, the Daily Herald will begin this week to offer recommendations of the candidates we believe are best suited to work with colleagues to find solutions, or at least move us in that direction. We approach this with a sense of respect and gravity, and a realization that the choices are as rooted in the nature of our political systems as they are in the individual issues that distinguish the candidates from one another.

We yearn for a return to true bipartisanship, moderation and compromise. We want candidates committed to changing the way things work; candidates who see government service not as a way to establish a political power base but as a calling to help fellow citizens and lay foundations for free individuals to build lives in, as the Declaration of Independence promised, the pursuit of happiness.

We have watched with dismay as government and politics have devolved in the opposite direction in recent years, with growing rancor and partisanship. We appreciate that grudging advances have been made on ethics reform, campaign financing, transparency and pension policy in Illinois, but we know that nearly all these issues have fallen short of being truly successful because lawmakers have lacked the political will and fortitude to see them through. Similarly, we've watched as politicians complain about the role of government in addressing economic hardship, yet fail either to make hard choices or work with others to improve things.

So, we come at this election with clear expectations. Incumbents seeking a return to their posts should be able to show that they have not skated along with the system but have worked and will continue to work to reform it. Newcomers must demonstrate that they, too, will work hard for their constituents in a cooperative, open environment that may transcend the dictates of party loyalty.

On issues, we've emphasized continued strength in the fight against terrorism along with clear-cut operational goals. We want an open and fair process in the redrawing of political maps. We want more pension reforms and tighter campaign finance rules, and we're skeptical of the role video gambling will play as a funding source for admittedly needed improvements in roads, bridges and schools. Perhaps above all, we want leaders who can realistically and honestly assess potential solutions to fiscal crises, but who also respect the brutal financial hardships middle-American families continue to endure.

On such a foundation, we built the discussions leading to our selection of candidates. We hope you will consider our endorsements with similar care as you decide how to vote.