As the election day on Nov. 7 nears, 100's of millions of dollars are being poured into the most non-issue oriented, sleazy, and lying advertising ever in the history of American politics. What is remarkable is how in a slew of races, the polls are closing their gaps as these despicable ads from all sides come pouring over our TV's, our radios, our Ipods, on billboards, and handouts.
This closing gap in the polls seems to indicate the ads are working to change people's minds. Think about that for a second. People's most important decision of the year is being changed by lies, sleaze, and Non-Issue advertising. That is a sad commentary on the American electorate.
But, what if American voters voted against the ads, instead of for them? What if voters said, I hate those ads, and I won't vote for any candidate whose ads are like these? In other words, if misinforming, gutteral advertising LOST races for politicians, is it not clear political advertising would quickly become more informative, more factual, and appeal to voters on the issues?
So, while we are contemplating voting out the incumbents, perhaps we might want to consider voting out the crap in political advertising as well, by withdrawing our vote from any candidate who uses advertising scraped from the bottom of the slime barrel. If their campaign advertising is based on lies, why should we expect them to be honest in office?
November 3, 2006 8:37 AM
Why should Congress be responsible if WE keep re-electing, rewarding, and empowering them for being irresponsible ?
I voted early yesterday, and needless to say, NONE were incumbents.
And, on those running unopposed, I didn't post a vote.
Someone asked, how do you know the challenger is any better?
I responded, "No one knows that, but does it make more sense to re-elect someone that I already know is irresponsible is?"
"Also, it's not as important who we vote for than it is that who wins understands their career will be short if they follow in the steps of their predecessors."
Sure, the choices may be bad, but re-electing irresponsible incumbents will only send them the message that they can continue to be irresponsible.
Seems like a no-brainer to me, but I understand how difficult it is to convince people to stop blindly pulling the party lever (i.e. voting straight-ticket). I know, because I used to be one of those blind-party loyalists that did that. Well, no more.
Been there, done that.
It ain't working.
It only empowers and rewards irresponsible incumbent politicians when WE keep blindly re-electing them.
November 3, 2006 11:53 AM
I admire your reasoning, d.a.n. It is the same I will use.