It is time for the public to say “No.” No, to the notion that we have become a society who would rather be entertained than informed as we go about the business of governing. No, to the sensationalism that has replaced rationalism in its power of influence when it comes to our collective decision-making process in selecting our leaders.
Not to do so is to continue to allow the awesome power of the people, the public, to be minimized and debased. The stakes are much too high. The consequences are much too exacting.
During the upcoming elections, the public has a great opportunity to reclaim its rightful role in how political decisions and policies are made at the national, state, and local levels. We can and need to elevate our election process — imploring the noble within and around us, decrying, and rejecting the base that tempts us.
To send a clear message and to stand our ground will be particularly important as we approach a presidential election that has the makings of being one of the most negative in recent history. Yet, the 2012 election will be one of the most important when it comes to the future direction of this country in terms of domestic and foreign policy.
Much, too much, is riding on who we select to lead the strongest nation in the free world.
One has only to look at the Republican primary debates, the mood, and actions in Congress to know that this could be one of the most negative elections in the country’s history. Imagine months of distortions and misinformation.
But, where does the blame lie?
If political action committees from major corporations and industries, labor unions and other special interests groups can not spend their resources to disseminate factual information to educate and inform, then the public needs to recognize in whose best interest they are functioning and respond accordingly.
We, as a public, must send a resounding message to any candidate at any level that we cannot be duped, taken for granted, or misled. We are not interested nor will we be tolerant of in any blood baths or extraneous sideshows.
It is time for us to tune out and turn off messages that tug at our emotion rather than our sense of right and reason. It is time for us to hang-up on telephone calls from any camp where the truth is at best, distorted, and claims are not backed by facts.
We can be proactive. We can write a brief note or a long letter, send it by e-mail or regular mail; we can make a phone call or attend a town hall meeting. There are many ways we can let candidates know we are more interested in meaningful discussion rather than mud slinging. We really have no excuse.
Instead of taking the attitude that the democratic and republican presidential nominees are fait accompli and that we can take a vacation from the political process until November, we can use this time as a teachable moment for our leaders of tomorrow. Encourage our young people to get involved, keep the candidates focused on the business at hand. Turn around what has become a perennial tide of negative campaigning.
With the first Republican presidential primary scheduled to take place as early as January 3, in Iowa, we are in for a long haul.
Amid all the fuss and fury — beginning with the presidential candidates and carrying it through to the candidates for the U.S. Senate, Congress, state, and local offices — ask what will they do about those issues that are important to you, your children, your grandchildren. What will they do about jobs, the economy, an equitable tax code, healthcare, education, the threat of terrorism, gun control, drugs, strengthening families, protecting and meeting the needs of children, building strong neighborhoods, and others?
Use this time between now and the elections to find out.
Many elected and would-be elected officials have grown comfortable in the thought that we are gullible and will believe anything that sounds credible whether or not it is grounded in fact. Many politicians bank on the fact that for the majority of those who vote, that single act will be the sum total of their political involvement. Therefore, after the vote, many elected officials feel little or no accountability for what they do or fail to do. Fear of suffering any repercussions is iffy at best and only occurs before the next election.
But casting a vote is only a small part of carrying out our obligation to be good citizens.
Good government and effective governing is an ongoing affair.
Based on our action, or inaction, we get the leaders and government we deserve.