It’s time to repair the political process
It’s nearly the holidays and the election is over. I know you are probably all sick of the discussion, but this article is due and my mind is still clearing from the last few months. As the daughter of a candidate, I am emotionally drained. I am disheartened for every candidate, regardless of party affiliation, who has had to endure the brutal landscape that our political system has become. I am sad for their families and friends. I know I am not alone. So many of you feel the same way.
Politics have become so ugly. This election season was particularly brutal. Television commercials, mail pieces, internet ads, billboards and more clogged up every aspect of our lives. Almost all of them were negative. Why is this so? Because most every political consultant will tell you this is what works. Negativity moves the numbers. The sad reality is that they are right. If we are the most educated and sophisticated government on earth, then why don’t we demand that candidates promote their own agendas instead of tearing apart someone else? Why don’t we encourage and demand civil discourse and respect? Until we demand positivity and respect from our candidates, we will continue to see this exhausting roller coaster of innuendo and accusations.
One of my best friends in college was registered to a different political party than I am. We have always enjoyed debating politics and I always learn a lot from our discussions. We see things differently, but we still want the same things – good schools, lower taxes, security in our golden years, outstanding care for our veterans, healthy families and a strong economy. Our friendship has taught me that you don’t always have to agree. Many of us are a mixture of both sides. So why have things become so polarized based on a political party? And why does it always have to be so ugly?
No matter who you supported in this election, I ask you to consider that the negativity is almost always riddled with half-truths, regardless of the candidate. Don’t be influenced until you hear both sides. If you know a candidate, give them the benefit of the doubt. Call them. Ask them. Do some research. There are always two sides to every story.
At the end of the day, things worked out for my mom, state Rep. Pam Snyder. She ran a positive campaign and she won, but several others who were victim to the same cookie cutter campaign used against her were not so lucky. She was one of the few who endured it. I am proud of that and I am proud of her.
Let’s start a revolution-right here and right now. Let’s demand that the negativity stop. Let’s demand that respect be restored to our political process. Let’s understand that just because someone has a different party registration, doesn’t mean they are so different from us. Let’s find the things that bring us together and not the things that tear us apart. Let’s remember that most got into public service with a goal to strengthen their communities and make them better.
Why else would anyone subject themselves?