During this year’s local election, candidates for St. Mary’s County Commissioner will attempt to convince us that they have what it takes to be a leader. They’ll outline their leadership experience, education, community involvement, family values, etc., in an attempt to convince us to vote for them.

One thing that some County Commissioner candidates will harp on is the self-proclaimed attribute of “Common Sense.” This seems to be attribute emphasized when the candidate doesn’t really have any pertinent qualifications – common sense.

My experience with “common sense” types is that they tend to over-simplify complex issues, and not surprisingly, over-simplify the solution. They think they have a good grasp on subjects like education, growth, crime, etc., and they’ll readily express their frustration with others who just don’t see the problems and solution as simply as they do. The problem with the “common sense” approach lies in the depth of understanding. If you barely scratch the surface of a problem or issue, it may indeed look quite simple. However, many of the issues facing St. Mary’s County today just aren’t that simple, and require a depth of understanding that the “common sense” candidate may be incapable of.

We need intelligent and experienced leaders who will do their homework and dig well below the surface of the issues, because they just aren’t so simple anymore.

Good ole boy politics may be OK for Small Town, USA, but St. Mary’s County just isn’t the small town it used to be. We now have big town problems we need to deal with. To effectively address today’s issues and problems, we need County Commissioners with un-common sense.

Before you cast your vote for County Commissioner, dig well below the facade of the candidate. Seek out a depth of understanding, and cast your vote with un-common sense.

The views expressed in all letters to the editor are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of The Bay Net.

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor you can do so through the “Your Letters” page, or by emailing it to editor@thebaynet.com.