It Is Time to Start Rebuilding Arkansans’ Trust

Gayatri Agnew
Sep 6, 2018 · 3 min read
Gayatri Agnew with daughter Kamala, age 2

When I saw the headline in the newspaper this morning, my heart just sank. I know Arkansans deserve better.

Staring at me over my morning coffee was an article was about a former Arkansas state senator who was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for corruption. Specifically, he was convicted of directing public money to specific companies in exchange for kickbacks. The former state senator’s sentencing was the first of four scheduled to take place over the next two weeks. Five former lawmakers have now been convicted in ongoing state and federal investigations into corruption in Arkansas government.

When government officials are corrupt, we all suffer. Every dollar of taxpayer money that ends up lining the pockets of corrupt lawmakers are dollars that could have gone to any number of pressing public needs — better schools, better roads and bridges, economic development, improved social services for Arkansans in need, including children, the disabled and the elderly.

Even worse, when one elected official after another is charged, tried and convicted of criminal activity, it fosters the notion that corruption in high places is just a fact of life, something we have to live with. It contributes to a jaded and indifferent citizenry. “I don’t vote. It doesn’t do any good. Nothing ever changes.” I hear this from people all the time when I canvas, knocking on doors in the neighborhoods of our district. But I also hear a plea for change for action. I hear people ask me to fight for our schools, to improve our roads and to help make sure we have good jobs in our region. These are the real issues and the issues which require the attention of all elected leaders.

Sometimes it’s hard not to feel let down and disappointed by our political process, and in some of our political leaders. Believe me, I get it.

But things don’t need to be this way. We can and must hold our elected officials to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is not unreasonable. We can vote out anyone who puts his or her personal gain over a commitment of service for the greater good of all Arkansans. In fact, it is our duty as citizens in a democratic society to do this. Engagement is both our right and our responsibility. A democracy cannot survive without the active engagement of its people.

It’s gratifying to see that our justice system can ferret out wrongdoing. The depth of corruption that has been uncovered in our state indicates to me how much we need change in Little Rock. Thankfully, most of our lawmakers are not criminals. They are good people who see public service as a privilege and a calling, not as an opportunity for personal gain. We need more people like this. We deserve more people like this.

I’m running for office for a number of reasons, not the least of which it to help bring a greater sense of ethics and integrity to public service. I want all citizens of our state to feel confident they can trust their government to put their needs first. Every Arkansan deserves to feel hopeful about government and its ability to affect the change that’s needed.

Gayatri Agnew

Written by

Mom, Business Leader, Candidate for Arkansas State House District 93. www.agnewforus.com

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