Dear Would-Be Presidents-
I was very dismayed yesterday when I read that now Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are beginning smear campaigns against each other in their respective bids for the White House. Everyone seems to be concerned about the lack of voter turnout in this country, but no one has equated this way of conducting business with the reason no one in this country votes or cares about who’s running.
As a young voter let me tell you that nothing disconnects me more from politics than two politicians spending their time pointing out the other’s faults instead of getting to the issues which they believe are detrimental to the growth and prosperity of the country they wish to govern. Let’s face it, it is one thing to call some one out if they personally slaughtered an Orphanage full of babies. But let’s be honest- when was the last time a political candidate was that crooked? The fact of the matter is, every politician is not going to be telling the entire truth because they have to appeal to a large amount of people if they want to win. So, instead of saying they are "for" abortion, they instead say something like "I am seeking a path which will satisfy those parties invested in this highly sensitive issue." This is not necessarily a lie, per say, until their snarky competition turns it into one by telling everyone "hey, this person is anti-whatever and they’ve been lying to you." The race then becomes a war of he-said she-said and the reason to vote for either candidate becomes less and less clear. Oh, and the rebuttal that your opposition should "stick to the issues" doesn’t mean anything if you are just saying it to criticize their way of conducting business- in this way you are no better than them!
This current vicious cycle has two consequences. The first is it suggests that no one can ever tell the real truth because the truth in a presidential race is the same as a coffin. By keeping their true feelings about hot button issues to themselves, the candidate is allowed some wiggle room in case the political tide turns on them in one way or another. Second, it creates an atmosphere which disenchants those involved in voting because when everyone is accusing everyone of lying, a voter will just assume everyone is a liar and not vote for anyone.
So here are my suggestions:
First, stop the smear campaigns. I think a pledge to do this will allow for a lot more honesty. From this point, people can decide whether or not the REAL values of a candidate are in line with their own.
Second, if you really love this country and you want to see it prosper, then you will support your fellow Americans running because you are both striving for the same thing. If they have a good idea, don’t disagree with it to make yourself stand out, say "hey, I agree completely or, hey this is a good idea, but I would like to address it in this way which I believe will be more effective." I think people will be far more inclined to trust you if you are willing to admit those around you are capable of having good ideas- after all, we do want a President, especially now, who will listen to the voices of the billions of other people who live in this democracy.
Third, stop basing your platform on the bi-partisan system’s respective collective, generic, identities. For too long people have labeled Republicans as bastards and democrats as tree-huggers. The fact of the matter is both parties have diverse thinking individuals who are committed to doing what they think is best for the country they love. They should be allowed to think independently of some hard and fast rules invented by historical stereotyping without being labeled as some independent weirdo.
Lastly, stop letting religion dictate how your platform is compiled. There is a reason church and state are separated- this is because the democratic Government is expressly interested in the prosperity of all of it’s citizens in LIFE, whereas religion is expressly concerned with those IN it’s religion and the AFTERLIFE. This is not to say that religion’s aims don’t, at certain points, parallel the government’s. So, at most, let Religion inform your campaign rather than dictate it because the values of all religions are founded on a basic compassion for humanity, which I am sure you can agree with. But don’t say you are anti-abortion just because you are a Republican and you fear the wrath of the majority of conservative Christians. Jesus was a man who was accepting of everyone and profoundly believed a man could make a difference when he was called upon. Some Christians seem to have forgotten that somewhere along the line.
I know, I know. You’re going to say "that’s easy for you to say" and you will accuse me of being a malcontent who is incapable of seeing that this is the way the system works so I want to live outside it. This is not the case though. I am not suggesting we obliterate the system, merely re-tune it. I am doing my part and suggesting that a change should be made- now, as the people who represent the people, I believe it is your job to take an active part in re-imagining how politicians interact with each other. You are the only ones who have the power to do it. As American citizens we are all terrified of being led astray and, perhaps, this is the reason why the system works the way it does. But when everyone is mud-slinging, then it ultimately becomes a decision of who is going to lead us astray the least. This mentality, I believe, is cultivating an America characterized by suspicion and causing countries around the world to be equally infected by this particular brand of poison.
You want to be the President? It is the President’s job to inspire the people to better themselves and those around them AND lead by example. What you are currently teaching is "trust no one" and I am pretty sure this is not your intention. Take that first step. You were brave enough to do it when you were a kid, and look at you now. You’re walking around everyday like it was nothing at all.
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