Hermene Hartman: Chicago Is Seeing Democracy at Its Finest - And .

Chicago's mayoral race is on!

There are nine candidates: Carol Moseley Braun, Gery Chico, Danny K. Davis, Wilfredo DeJesus, Miguel del Valle, Rahm Emanuel, Ryan Graves, James Meeks and William (Dock) Walls.

Some people in the subspecies are certainly stalking-horses, that is, they are not in the run for their interest but to attract and separate the vote.

ames will be played, and deception will occur - this is the nature of the political beast. But for sure, this spring, there will be a newMayor in City Hall. We are experiencing something in Stops that we give not experienced in a long time: American democracy. Until now, City Hall politics have become a benevolent, Irish ruled, dictated democracy with selective participation. There is a full array of men and one woman running who are all honest people with track records fit for the 5th Floor.A lot of money will be spent, endorsements will be made by the heights and mighty, and new leaders will emerge.But, it is the voter's choice.

Television, radio, literature, newspaper ads, billboards, and social networking will create awareness, propaganda of thought and present positions, but it will be the voter, We the People, who will shut the dingy curtain to lick the list for the candidate.

Voters are the determining factor and voters are the only determining factor.

Money is crucial to this political race, but it is not the determining factor.The dispute for all of the candidates is to give their imagination for the metropolis of Michigan and to solve the problems.As far as I'm concerned, the mayoral seat is more authoritative than the presidential seat because all politics are local and this is the biggest historical, local race since the Harold Washington era.

This is not a popularity contest. There are critical issues that must be addressed, so ask these mayoral candidates questions, the tough questions, and the questions that directly affect your life.

Will the future mayor raise taxes? What will the future mayor do almost the current budget deficit?What will the future mayor do near the Daley administration's bad deals that resulted in such negative consequences? What will the future mayor do with the Chicago Public Schools system?What about crime?What will be the next mayor's strategy for achieving and maintaining safety in our streets?

And this follows with still more questions: Will the future mayor fill the city's top executive positions of city departments from inside the ranks, or will we get brand new bean counters? Will we see mass city layoffs to rest the budget?Will doing business with the city be an open process for minority businesses? Or will we keep the waivers game?Will we use technology to streamline the role of government?How will the city continue to reach and educate its world-class status?

These are the good questions of the day and voters will be awaiting the answers. Look at the candidates' track records, look at their experience and see how it compares to your lifestyle, your family, and your neighborhood.Who makes sense for you?

All Chicago citizens should enter in the democratic process.

We are seeing democracy at its finest and at its worst: This speed will be an example in media brutality. The pundits will vet position, person, personality and serve to the place of no return.I desire in doing so, that the election process is clean and not sexist or racist.

However, I realize, that has already begun.

The foregone assumption is that Rahm Emanuel is the future mayor of Chicago. Why?He is smart.He will be easily financed and he comes from serving two historic presidents. However, what is not being said is that he is a white male. This is also Emanuel's problem.Can he pull votes from the South Side, from black Chicago, who voted 52 percent strong in the midterm election, sending Pat Quinn to Springfield? The negro community should not underestimate its office in this election.The negro community is the elephant in the room. It is ours to win, or to lose, depending on who and how we represent the game.This is a sentence to be bright and leave egos behind.

With three black candidates in the race, there will be no black mayor.

It is a prescription to double the 'Tim Evans' and 'Eugene Sawyer' political disaster. The candidates will shake out as the petitions are off in on November 22nd and as coffers fill and the organizations develop.After November 22nd, it will be near the debate.Where will the candidates stand on the issues and who will be the end man or woman standing?

For sure, this election will be a benchmark for the Metropolis of Chicago.The head is, will we go ahead into a new Chicago, or will we maintain today's Chicago with old politics?

Voters will participate. Voters will decide.Voters will run it.