Those of you who have either just come out of your winter hibernation or have been abroad have missed the heating up of the 2008 election race. Fact is it isn’t heating anymore. It’s hot. Between the fiery debates, verbal slinging and “surprise” potentially harmful photo and video releases – all available on youtube.com – it’s certainly turned into a battle of wit; a battle of who can out-slander the other.
Electoral campaigns have always entertained me. The interactions among members of the same party, through finger-pointing and cutting remarks as one potential candidate attacks another, remind me of schoolyard banter. Surely you remember the days of old and the childhood reasoning, “Well, your idea just stinks.”
I recall watching the South Carolina Democratic debate (on Jan. 21) and almost applauding Sen. John Edwards’ comment to those in attendance and watching at home. He remarked, after a heated verbal confrontation between his two fellow candidates, that “this type of squabbling will not get help where it is needed.” He reminded viewers and the other candidates that it wasn’t all about the candidates personally, but about what they were trying to do for this country. Bravo to Edwards for his comment; however, it was followed by a jab at one candidate who apparently had shown no way of funding a proposed Social Security plan. Oh John.
A political campaign should not be treated as comic relief. It is serious business. It is about your future and the future of your country. The way I see it, our candidates need to present detailed policies on pressing issues such as the economy, homeland security and education. With these policies there is also a need for action plans, fallback strategies and outlines for how these procedures will be funded. And yes, perhaps character, religion and a person’s ethic and morals will also be of interest.
If a candidate wants my vote, then tell me what the policies are and how they will be implemented. Don’t just tell me the other guy’s idea is ridiculous and yours is better. It is the facts I want and the facts I seek out. And don’t enhance a story or bend the facts. And please don’t lie. It all comes out in the long run. I encourage voters read, listen, investigate or ask to find out for yourself what is important to you.
This month we feature Glenn Beck (Page 58), a political commentator and radio and television host. Beck certainly finds entertaining ways to share his political insight. He holds no secrets about his life and is willing to share his thoughts on campaign topics. In this feature, he even offers his opinion on trucking-industry issues. His views are often scrutinized by critics and the public has mixed opinions of him, but he seems to present it as he sees it.
It is vital that you do the research on what is important to you and form your own opinion. This is your next president, who will be leading your country.
