I’m a voter. I have voted in every election but one primary
since turning 21 years of age. The missed primary election was due to an
emergency business trip arranged the day before the election. The age of 21 was
the legal voting age at the time; currently the voting age is 18. I’m now 71;
that’s half a century of serial voting!
I’m serious about voting at every opportunity and
understanding the issues on the ballot. I also take the time to know something
about the candidates on the ballot and their positions on key issues. I write
news articles, a column and other copy for my community newspaper, author a
daily blog on current events, and write at least one newsletter monthly. When
necessary I inform my readers about issues and candidates to assist them to
become knowledgeable voters.
Special interest groups and their ads abound. They continue
the nasty rhetoric and damage the credibility of all candidates. Money from
wealthy supporters, corporations and interest groups wield major power over
most campaigns and thus skew results. No one seems to know or feel voter
sentiments on these issues. The dog fight is engaged among entrenched groups
and the voter is not seen or heard.
There in lies the folly of modern electioneering. The voter is lost in the dust. Somehow the
system needs improvement. It would help if basic information were provided on
the issues. Candidate positions on the various issues need to be shared in a
manner that is easily accessed for those interested in learning how candidates
are similar, and how they differ across a spectrum of issues.
It would help if candidates also provided an outline on the
programs, policies and legislation they each feel would help the city, county,
state or national government perform its services better. Not all candidates
are involved in legislative processes; some positions perform specific
management or professional services such as treasurer, attorney general or
archival functions. In those situations the candidates should offer what goals
they will set for themselves while in office and how they see their office
collaborating and dovetailing with other elected positions and levels of
government.
I don’t need to witness a candidate debate. I don’t need to
view an endless stream of campaign ads. What I do need is clear communication
from the candidates concerning what they intend to do in office and how their
qualifications and experiences would help improve the odds their time in office
will likely be successful.
We don’t know this information today. The issues are clouded
with campaign rhetoric. Ads are self serving if at all positive, while attacks
on opposing candidates are viciously degrading.
Voter manipulation is the common target. Truth rarely is.
The system appears dirty and unreliable to voters. No wonder the public
distrusts both the process and ‘politicians’. When most of the communications
are negative it is natural to assume not much is clean or positive.
The electoral system needs to be overhauled. Big money needs
to be removed from the process. Pure information properly supervised and proven
should be provided voters. The time to
begin this process is now. Sooner or
later the system will be cleansed and reliable and serve the needs of a just
society.
Until that happens our nation is dirty. Each political party
has a role in the current lousy situation. Each party needs to clean up their
act or cease functioning.
As voters we deserve to have the best candidates possible to
meet the challenges of our society. And candidates need to be held accountable
for their failures to perform, as well as any and all dishonesty. Allowing the
system to limp along in its current manner is a travesty for a nation which
prides itself on education, creativity, individual accomplishment and far
reaching vision.
We know we can do better. Why don’t we?
October 13, 2014
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