You've seen and heard them: the campaign ads that amount to "If you vote for candidate X, then you're voting to steal money from your grandparents, give cocaine to small children, and raise taxes."
On my way to work this morning, I was listening to story on NPR regarding a Republican Senate primary race in Pennsylvania. These two candidates were trying to out conservatize each other (I'm fully aware that is not a word, but you understand what it means don't you? So shut up). And the thought just crossed my mind - this can't be what our democracy was supposed to be. The very idea of a democracy is that different ideas are heard, the ideas with the most support are the ideas which make it. Have our attention spans really decreased to the point that a campaign is nothing more then a series of television and radio ads, not a true discussion of these ideas?
I think the answer may be yes AND no. In mainstream media, all the average citizen gets is the soundbites, and for many, it really becomes a question of what candidate looks the most trustworthy. This is the candidate's ads you will believe.
But for the more educated and involved, they seek out more information, and delve into the deeper meanings behind the rhetoric they hear in a campaign. These people do not blindly accept claims from an opposition's camp. They realize that every issue has some black, some white, and some grey. I'd like to think that I fall into this category, as do the majority of my friends. While I might not always agree with many of them, I do value any opinions reached through research and thought.
Links of the Day
An editorial comment about both of these links - they just happen to be one of the funnier things I've seen in the past day and one of the most interesting politically. I link to them not to make a statement, but simply to inform and educate. Shalom.
I wonder if Barbara ever ate fleas?
Until John Kerry says "you know what, George, you've been right on everything" ........
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