Warning: the following is political in nature and should not be read by anyone. Oh! And since “P” was next on my ‘Blogging from A-to-Z’ list anyway, I’m going count this for that as well.
On their Facebook page, 3TV here in Phoenix recently posted the following questions in regards to an upcoming political debate between six (party name not important) candidates for Arizona governor: What issues matter most to YOU in the upcoming election for governor? What would you ask the candidates?
Aside from the usual stupidity and insults displayed by people on Facebook when it comes to rationally discussing ANYTHING political, this story, these questions and of course people’s responses actually ticked me off. (I know: looks who’s being irrational now, huh?)
Plat-formity
First of all, with six candidates from the same political party – what are they actually debating? Almost by definition they’re running on the same platform, touting the same beliefs and pushing the same message. Oh sure, one might have a longer resume than the others and/or brag about things they’ve done in the past. One might even try to differentiate themselves by talking tough. Yet at the end of the day, they all believe in virtually the same thing.
Which means one of two things will likely happen: they will all spend their time bashing the other political party or each other. Both options do nothing but add toxicity to our already declining democracy.
It’s sad, really, because then we, the voters, are left with making a decision based on who is the most articulate or best dressed or has the funniest sound-byte. So much for choosing our leaders based on their qualifications…
No you’re wrong!
This is probably the biggest farce with primary elections and debates. These six candidates will spend a lot of time – and certainly a lot of money – throwing each other under the proverbial bus over a period of several months in the form of TV commercials, debates and in political rallies. It’s negative campaigning at its, err, finest.
“His record as State Treasurer is abysmal!”
“He ran his business in the ground, losing investors millions. How can we expect him to run the state?”
“I represent the middle-class. He’s in bed with those with 7-digit incomes.”
“He has a history of infidelity and continues to lie to both his wife and the American public!”
“…but I will support him in the general election and have the utmost confidence he’ll be a great governor for the State of Arizona…“.
Mark my words: it’ll get ugly. Yet in the end, they’ll all smile and become friends (probably with the hope of being given an appointed position within the new administration.)
Primarily Pointless
And what’s it all for? Votes? Technically yes, though people don’t vote for the better candidate any more. They vote straight party ticket.
All these six candidates have to worry about is being the last man (or woman) standing after the primary election. After that, their only concerns are making sure their constituents come out on election day and perhaps sucking up a little to the independent voters (i.e. the ones who have an ability to think for themselves and/or who aren’t swayed by media onslaught.)
I still place most of the blame on we the people. As a country we’ve somehow lost the ability to elect leaders. Instead we constantly take the easy road and vote for illusions and false promises made by candidates whose sole purpose is to represent those that got them elected rather than the ones who actually elected them.
Trust me: there’s a difference. And I’m not sure that the issues that matter to us personally or the questions we’d ask of these candidates matters much at all.
Sadly I agree. Wish we could change the campaign rules, but the they would have to deal with issues rather than rhetoric. Uncle Jim.