A public servant in our state is unusually outspoken. While most politicians refuse to answer questions directly, equivocating about their positions on crucial issues and trying their darndest not to offend anyone, this one addresses every issue with startling frankness.

Many citizens find such candor to be a breath of fresh air, but there are those who would rather feel a gust of hot wind than listen to cold, hard facts.

Knowing a friend of mine usually stands on the opposite side of the political fence as this statesman, I asked him before the last election if he intended to vote for him. I wasn’t surprised when he said no, but that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to know what burning issue irked him enough to withhold his vote from a qualified candidate.