Today's gripe

This time of year, and in November, our newspaper's editorial board hosts a parade of candidates seeking office and our endorsement. What makes me cranky is that most of these candidates have spent a great deal of time raising money and figuring out how to get elected, but too little time studying the issues.

It's discouraging to ask a candidate for state office what form of taxation he or she supports for public education, for example, only to be answered by mumbling indicative of no investment of thought. The same goes for the candidate for Congress who answers with a blank stare a question about how government can insure that all its citizens receive proper medical care.

These are the candidates who want more than anything to hold public office. We need more candidates who want more than anything to solve the public's problems.