For better or worse, by the time you read this, the 2010 mid-term elections will be over.  It’s everyone’s hope that those who will soon take office will display more integrity as our elected officials than they did during their political campaigns.

I recall a time in Nevada when politicians spent more time touting their accomplishments and platforms than they did smearing the reputations of their opponents.  And while politics has always been a dirty business, it seems we’ve sunk to new levels with the most recent campaigns.   Voters were assaulted on all sides by a barrage of half truths and in many cases, flat out lies.  Comments were taken out of context and voting records were distorted.  Candidates were secretly taped and confidential conversations were leaked to the press.  In the end, Nevadan’s didn’t know what to believe.  And, those that didn’t take the initiative to check into the facts, likely cast votes that didn’t represent their core values.

Part of the problem is that, as Americans, we grow up believing that if you read it in the paper or see it on the news, it must be true.  We’ve learned to form opinions based on sound bites and headlines.  And most consumers are too wrapped up in their own lives to do the necessary homework to cast intelligent votes.  Therefore, our society has become fertile ground for the deceptions fed to us by savvy politicians.

Here’s just a few examples from the recent election cycle.  Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said her opponent did jail time for harassing women.  Actually, Travis Barrick is a minister who spent some time in jail because he was part of a group protesting outside an abortion clinic.  TV ads for one justice court candidate in Southern Nevada said her opponent once choked a witness on the stand.  Actually, he put his hands around the witness’ neck as a demonstration.  Dr. Joe Heck was accused of being anti-women because he opposed insurance coverage for a vaccine against cervical cancer.  His point was actually that the government shouldn’t force insurance companies to provide coverage for every medical condition — people should have the option of choosing the policy they want instead of paying for coverage they don’t need.

If we conducted our businesses with the lack of integrity our politicians have displayed, we would soon be out of business (which may be a moot point if our government continues to impose new taxes).  The point is, success is fueled by doing the right thing and building a reputation for hard work and honesty.  And, once you have earned that reputation, focus on letting your clients know about it…not tearing down your competition through lies and deception.

I’d like to think that now the campaigns are behind us, our politicians can rise above the mire and get back to business.  Now, more than ever, we need elected officials that are men and women of integrity.  We need our elected officials to put their differences aside and put the needs of America and Nevada first.  We need them to focus on getting our economy healthy and put people back to work. The 19th century preacher James Freeman Clarke said.  “A politician thinks about the next elections – the statesman thinks about the next generations.”  Bring on the statesmen.