In Our Opinion
It may only be early March, but by now, most of us should be starting to have concerns about who our choices for president will be when November’s election rolls around.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the campaign season so far — if “campaign” is the proper word to use.
It’s difficult to refer to any of the Republican debates to this point as “debates,” at least according to Webster’s simple definition of the word, which is “a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something.” Much of what has transpired as “discussion” on and off the lighted stage consists of horrible insults, innuendo and a mixed bag of facts that often are shown by independent sources to be completely false.
In fact, the language degenerated to such an extent that at one point, the dialogue centered on one of the candidate’s private parts. These so called “leaders” have sounded like a bunch of first-graders, and we apologize to first-graders if we demean them in saying this.
Democrats’ dialogue at least hasn’t deteriorated to such infantile levels, but accusations, sometimes false, sometimes true, have been hurled nonetheless. Despite that, there is somewhat of a discussion of issues that creeps in now and then.
Much of what has been occupying the news channels these past weeks revolves around one person — Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Trump has been running as the anti-establishment politician and his message, whatever that might be, is resonating among conservative voters.
Trump says what’s on his mind, which for some is a refreshing switch from the staged sound bites we often get out of traditional candidates and politicians. But then again, sometimes we get sick of hearing he has no filter, no respect, humility and, at times, manners.
But his support is somewhat of a reflection of the mood in this country right now because on the other side of the aisle, Democrat Bernie Sanders is also campaigning as the anti-establishment champion for liberals. Sanders is the antidote for what some would see in his opponent Hillary Clinton as the third term of current President Barack Obama.
Trump and Sanders are playing the same instrument, but in different octaves. Trump plays the government is the problem card, similar to former President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, while Sanders performs in the corporations are the villains key.
Whatever pitch you wish to be in, Americans are sick of the status quo. Many do blame government, and when they pass out the blame, it goes to Congress, which has an approval rating in the low teens.
But if Congress truly is the problem, wouldn’t it make sense to switch out our elected representatives instead? Wouldn’t it be wise to vote out career politicians and replace them with new blood?
It would, but unfortunately, while Congress may have an 18 percent approval rating they also have a 90 percent re-election rating. The reason it will never happen is because after all, it’s not “my” elected representative or senator that’s the problem, but someone else’s from another district or state.
So, we’re left with a presidential campaign that has the rest of the world looking on in disbelief. Is this really democracy at it’s best?
The race has devolved to such an extent, that Republican leadership is mounting an effort to defeat its own frontrunner for fear of what a Trump presidency might do to this country. Amazing.
And while Trump’s non-conformism may appeal to some, even now, he has begun to backtrack on earlier statements and started acting like an establishment politician.
If (if?) Trump were a grade school student, he’d receive a “doesn’t play well with others” comment on his report card. But that’s why he isn’t the answer — we need our leaders to “play well” with each other, to come together in compromise and consensus to solve many pressing issues this country faces.
Perhaps then, this is a great year to look at ourselves and figure out who we are personally. We might find that our choices for political office don’t fit that reflection.
Reader Comments(0)