I must say that I had some reservations about voting today (even after my post on voting being a moral obligation and all). When election season began rolling around, I promised myself that I would not vote for any candidate who resorted to smear campaigns. There must be a few candidates out there who actually are willing to run on the merits of their experience, platform, and vision for the office they seek to hold. Unfortunately, the last few weeks has been a litany of negative ads with gross exaggerations conjured up to discredit opponents. It makes me very sad. I’ve had to fast from the media because I just can’t take it any more. Yet no one is in any hurry to stop the negative campaigning because polls apparently show that they are more successful than positive campaigning. That is a sad reflection on the general population. I’m further frustrated with the sheer volume of ads this year. I keep wondering what would have happened if that money spent on ads actually went toward the social services … even a fraction of the ad budget could impact many people. Sure, maybe I’m a bit idealistic about this, but isn’t the way we do elections and campaigns just a little skewed and in need of serious reform?
I treasure my right to vote and I get chills as the Judge of Elections okay’s me and hands me the ballot. I just wish I didn’t have to always choose the candidate who was least offensive to my sensibilities. I want to vote for someone I believe in and can stand behind without putting my conscience on hold. I had to make some difficult choices this election day, and even though I’m highly disillusioned with campaigning and elections, I have to hope there was some good in my voting today.
"She wrote the way she lived: on the fly, without retrospect, always on the way, climbing higher."
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris T. 11.07.06 at 11:03 pm
I had a pretty frustrating Election Day, too. Out of maybe eight partisan races (judicial races in NC are non-partisan), only TWO were contested. That doesn’t do our democracy much good, IMO.
Jen 11.07.06 at 11:53 pm
Agreed…I’ve been watching nothing but old Doctor Who episodes to escape the ads (my box of old VHS tapes was destroyed by a colony of pooping bats, so I’ve been slowly replacing them.) I have to admit my incumbent senator (now re-elected), really didn’t smear anyone or spam ads like her opponent did. So far an initiative that would eliminate 100 million in education funds (including a grant I receive) is failing. I really don’t get the mindset of some voters…I pay taxes on a ton of services I’ll never (God willing) need. They pay taxes on services I’ll need. It all works out in the end.
Maria Toth 11.08.06 at 6:38 am
I hope things went as you hoped!
In Jesus,
Maria in the UK
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
Joyce 11.08.06 at 1:44 pm
When you speak of hope try this one. Ellison is the first African-American and a Muslim from Minnesota to be elected to the U.S. House. He ran on the Democratic-Farmer-Labor ticket in a district that is heavily liberal. His religious message is one of inclusiveness. Regarding his Muslim faith, he said, “people draw strength and moral courage from a variety of religious traditions.” “Mine have come from both Catholicism and Islam. I was raised Catholic and later became a Muslim while attending Wayne State University. I am inspired by the Quran’s message of an encompassing divine love, and a deep faith guides my life every day.” Now that is HOPE!
Catholic Convert 11.08.06 at 2:34 pm
I’m excited to see that ALREADY there is a change for the better with Rumsfeld stepping down and Bush admitting that he is going to focus more attention on a viable plan for Iraq.
It’s also interesting to see how many conservative democrats were elected, with their focus on things like poverty, improving international relations, addressing the genocide in darfur, and raising the minimum wage.
It’s neat to me because I have always believed bipartisanship is the best answer and right now everyone is saying that’s the goal. =)
nuns2day 11.08.06 at 3:00 pm
I like the sound of the guy that Joyce speaks about. I’ll have to look him up.
I truly hope that folks are sincere when they talk about bipartisanship. Something’s got to give. Here’s the end of Bush’s speech at the White House today:
Jeff A. Lee 11.15.06 at 3:02 pm
I am so glad that you exercise your right to vote. There are so many people in this country that don’t bother to go to the polls. That really chaps my hide too when people feel that they can’t be bothered with the tedium of going to the polls and standing in line to vote. If more people don’t start taking an interest in what is going on in their government, then one day I would not be surprised if some demogogue politician one day tries to justify doing away with elections on the premise of “why have elections? Very few people bother to vote. Its just a waste of time and money!” I had to vote early in my home town as I would be out of town for a business meeting. I too was highly disappointed with the lack of descent candidates running in Texas and with the negative campaign ads. Unfortunately, negative campaigning and “mudslinging” is probably here to stay as it works and is considered necessary to running a viable campaign. If you can make yourself look good and your opponenet look bad, then you stand a better chance of getting elected. That is the unfortunate truth of our modern politcal machine. You are right however. Our elections and campaigns are skewed in favor of the incumbents and those who already have millions of dollars to spend on their campaigns or who can raise the millions of dollars necessary to run an effective campaign (i.e. wealthy contributors, PAC money, party funding, etc). It is not set up to where one like you or I could easily declare ones candidacy and run a viable campaign against an established incumbent like Ted Kennedy, Trent Lott or Hillary Clinton.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13