By Rusty Chinnis

Wikipedia defines the term “enlightened self-interest” as a philosophy in ethics in which people who act to further the interests of others ultimately serve their own interests. It has often been simply expressed as the belief that an individual, group or even a commercial entity will do well by doing good.

Now more than ever it’s critically important to apply this concept when deciding on a political candidate to support. All too often, candidates lobby to get our vote and promise to represent us and our interests. Not to disparage all politicians, but it seems many who claim to represent their constituents instead end up serving a special interest group that doesn’t.

We as voters seem fooled into voting by party instead of vetting individual candidates to see how they’ve voted in the past. It’s especially important if you’re an angler, love to fish and value our coastal habitat to do this homework before election day.

If you really care about our coastal resources, don’t vote Democrat, Republican or No Party Affiliation. Check the candidates’ voting record on protecting the water we drink and the water in which we fish and swim.

It’s a sad and self-defeating proposition when we elect people to represent us only because they put the most campaign signs out. If we vote for the waters and fishing we cherish, we’ll take the time to make an informed decision. Another avenue to determine whose interest a candidate will serve is by researching who is funding their campaigns.

If we don’t vote or vet our candidates, we may well be voting against our own self-interest. The future of fishing in Florida and the economy hang in the balance. VOTE WATER!