It is hunting season and it's not just the geese that need to be ducking.

The election season is also in full swing and it is open season on those running for office as well as those supporting candidates. Whether you're reading the newspaper, watching TV or listening to the radio you've probably caught a few of the barbs being thrown about in the many races.

Austin has always been a town great for politics. People here take politics seriously and remain steadfast in their views. This year is no exception.

What appears to be different this election season is the amount of venom being spewed by supporters and detractors of the various candidates in Austin, across the state and across the country. Whether it's a local race for city council, or county commissioner, to state races in Minnesota and Iowa, to races for U.S. Congress and Senate, people are just getting down right nasty.

Any talk of campaign reform might as well be tossed out with the bath water because it isn't happening. Attack ads on TV are commonplace and groups opposed to candidates have sought ad space in newspapers railing against those they are against.

Perhaps the nastiness of this election season is a bitterness left from the 2000 Presidential election, or related to the uncertainty terrorism has brought to our lives, or maybe even to the harsh economic times we're in. Most likely it's a combination of the above, and many other factors that are driving people to act poorly.

Unfortunately all the venom and talk is detracting from any substantial discussion about the issues that really matter.

Isn't what really matters to each of us is how safe we feel, how much money we're bringing home and in general how good we feel about being an Austinite, a Minnesotan and an American?

When you think about it that's why politics is nasty business -- it's personal. We're all looking out for number one and we all believe our view is the right one. It takes an awfully mature person to sit down with a person who holds opposite views and agree to disagree, or perhaps even compromise.

One of the great things about our system of government is we allow people to freely express and hold their views. We also hold regular elections, giving people an opportunity to select individuals who hold similar beliefs.

What's interesting is the energy typically created by elections works counter to the very basic characteristics of this place we all live -- our community. A community is defined as a place holding similar interests. During an election we typically are left to choose between two candidates with somewhat differing interests. The result is people take sides and the community becomes fragmented.

Most in Austin can remember when this was a fractured community. Some would say the community still is fractured today. I'd respectfully disagree and suggest those that want it to remain fractured perceive it that way, but the majority is for moving forward.

Most would agree that since the early 1980s Austin has never been more of a community than it is today. It is moving forward with dynamic new leaders, growing businesses and a proactive attitude. It's a good place to live.

Austin is at a crucial point in its history. It can embrace the future and become a stronger community, or it can take giant steps backwards.

In a few weeks we will all go to the polls and cast ballots for those individuals we feel share similar beliefs to our own. We also need to cast those votes with an eye toward the community and what's best.

Before you cast those ballots ask yourself if the candidate you're voting for is truly running to better the community, or for a self-serving reason. Remember, it takes mature people to put personal interest behind and put the good of all above oneself.

Austin needs leaders bent on strengthening the community, not splintering it. Choose wisely, our future may just depend on your vote.