The federal government has formed a circular firing squad. The state government has become a fiscal parasite sucking the fiscal life blood from local governments and schools. The two-party system is no longer functional.

There is a better way, and the city of Wilmington is working toward that goal and can be a grass roots example of that way. The present government, due in large part to a pragmatic non-partisan administration and council, is exercising best practices and achieving a better government and creating a better city.

A better way is populated by better people, and Wilmington has the good fortune to have a critical mass of better people in place.

I consider a better person to have these qualities: Does not lie; does not believe lies; debunks rumors; does not hoard information; struggles against confirmation bias; speaks truth to power; decides from the preponderance of evidence; decides for the greater good; gives opposing views a fair hearing; walks away from circular arguments; better governments legislate without political theology; they define the the mission: “To serve the public in a cost efficient manner”; assemble the facts; analyze cost versus benefit; allow for public comment; refrain from using the referendum-killing “emergency option” except in extreme cases (needs work).

Paul Hunter

Wilmington