[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

If a wanna-be politician is running against an incumbent, of course he has to attack the incumbent's record, since the wanna-be doesn't have a record. Term limits are a potential (partial) solution, but guess who would have to vote for that?
Funny how most of these attack ads are financed by out of state PACs.

Not sure if term limits is the answer as so much is done by seniority at the National and State level. It is the old guard that actually gets often bills through.

Civic lessons starting in junior high and also later in high school along with critical thinking might be a long term solution but probably would not really start being effective for decades.

[Big O]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Not sure if term limits is the answer as so much is done by seniority at the National and State level. It is the old guard that actually gets often bills through.

Civic lessons starting in junior high and also later in high school along with critical thinking might be a long term solution but probably would not really start being effective for decades.

Critical thinking in the schools....are you nuts? Where in the world would we get someone to teach that?

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by billethkid

My point was not the believeability of the ads.
SInce both candidates do it regularly and continuously and they are not to be believed then one can only assume we are committed to voting party line, so things like accomplishments and why they deserve to be elected are not germain to the election process.

I do not view this as a political discussion in any way shape or form. Seeking opinions about a process........NOTHING MORE!

Politicians’ first job is to get re-elected, their second is to develop power within their own party and committees and their 3rd and final “job” is to represent their constituents, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Most of us on this blog have the ability to see beyond the trash and garbage that we see in the ads. However, there are those who make their decisions based on feelings and emotions instead of logic, common sense, rational thinking and their own investigations and *they* are the targets of these ads. The process is tainted and unfair, but then that’s what has happened over the years. If we are not careful, if those of us who understand the unfair game being played do not get our friends and ourselves to the voting booths in the upcoming two elections we will spend the rest of our lives under the leadership of those voted into office by the lesser informed.

While I have been sickened by those selected to run in the most recent National elections, it is because of the tainted, dishonest and power hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle who have gotten us to where we are because of their intentional lies, distortions and misrepresentations. We dare not ignore the media as they are as corrupt as the politicians. But it is the process that allowed this. It is the process that built this country into the most powerful and successful country that ever existed or that will ever exist, which now has us spiraling downward at an ever-increasing rate.

BTK, the process that built America is now destroying her. Having said that, I will rephrase it to say that it is not the fault of the process, as the process has no agenda in and of itself, but it has allowed those who are dishonest and corrupt to use it to their advantage and “their advantage” has proven to be damaging to the very people they were supposed to be representing.

Who was it that said that our government (which was created by our process) is the worst in the world except for all the others? Well, I agree. But it is all about the process and the lack of integrity of those who have taken advantage of it.

God, help us all!!

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Big O

Critical thinking in the schools....are you nuts? Where in the world would we get someone to teach that?

Junior High School Teachers (6-9)

This could be covered in English, debate, history and mathematics classes depending on the subject as well as civics.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by tedquick

Politicians’ first job is to get re-elected, their second is to develop power within their own party and committees and their 3rd and final “job” is to represent their constituents, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Most of us on this blog have the ability to see beyond the trash and garbage that we see in the ads. However, there are those who make their decisions based on feelings and emotions instead of logic, common sense, rational thinking and their own investigations and *they* are the targets of these ads. The process is tainted and unfair, but then that’s what has happened over the years. If we are not careful, if those of us who understand the unfair game being played do not get our friends and ourselves to the voting booths in the upcoming two elections we will spend the rest of our lives under the leadership of those voted into office by the lesser informed.

While I have been sickened by those selected to run in the most recent National elections, it is because of the tainted, dishonest and power hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle who have gotten us to where we are because of their intentional lies, distortions and misrepresentations. We dare not ignore the media as they are as corrupt as the politicians. But it is the process that allowed this. It is the process that built this country into the most powerful and successful country that ever existed or that will ever exist, which now has us spiraling downward at an ever-increasing rate.

BTK, the process that built America is now destroying her. Having said that, I will rephrase it to say that it is not the fault of the process, as the process has no agenda in and of itself, but it has allowed those who are dishonest and corrupt to use it to their advantage and “their advantage” has proven to be damaging to the very people they were supposed to be representing.

Who was it that said that our government (which was created by our process) is the worst in the world except for all the others? Well, I agree. But it is all about the process and the lack of integrity of those who have taken advantage of it.

God, help us all!!

Excellent post Others will disagree with me.

[rubicon]

tedquick: you and I agree. However, I believe that our political process has been tainted on and off from it very existence, the founding fathers of course exempt from this discussion.

btk is right about the process. but what I see are some good people who want to serve but find that they are forced to be obligated by too many competing voices. Not too long ago there were some 1700 lobbyist in Washington. today there are 4300. Then we have the party leaders and you must fall in line behind them or else etc etc etc. what's a honest politician to do? And worse yet what's an honest politician to do without money to be elected or reelected ?

So instead we get the most tainted and most ambitious that have or can raise funds and they will peddle their chicken in every pot line to the hoi pol-loi.

There is no difference in a political campaign as there is in an apology tours by celebrities as both are choreographed scripted and both insincere.

Greed and corruption are the elements keeping many countries from realizing their true potential, China is a good example and America is being pulled down that same path.

[looneycat]

party politics is destroying the country. politicians are not interested in their constituents only their party line. the parties have become so self serving that they no longer work together after elections nor, in their most un-american of actions, do they support whomever the current president is and work for the betterment of the people. term limits and revoking pensions would be a good start.

[Madelaine Amee]

So much good commentary on here. We are all basically of the same opinion, that our country is being destroyed by both political parties and their absolute greed.

BUT, where do we get a Joan of Arc or a modern day messiah to lead a revolution on Washington and turn the politicians on their ear? I certainly don't want to do it, I don't mind yelling and screaming about it, but when it comes to putting my money where my mouth is, I'm gone! So where do we find someone who is eloquent enough to lead a force for change? I am sure that person could be funded just by using the social media, but how do you get the news media, radio and TV to support such an effort. If you did find someone willing to put their all on the line the opposing media would dig into their past and fling up all manner of dirt to make their lives unbearable.

It seems to me, that we have in our apathy made our beds and now have to lie in them. Please someone prove me wrong ..................

[Buffalo Jim]

Spend any time doing some basic historical research and you will realize that " Mud-slinging " has been a long and proud tradition of our political campaigns sine the Constitution was adopted .

[coralway]

Dunno - seems like a couple of months prior to every election cycle we get the same posts about how such terrible liars politicians are - as if that is the roof of all evil.

C'mon people, quit you're whinning and find out for yourself what these people stand for - and against - and then make your best judgment come election day.

That is what free elections are all about.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by coralway

C'mon people, quit you're whinning and find out for yourself what these people stand for - and against - and then make your best judgment come election day.

Be nice if they told us what they stand for instead of claiming their opponents are Commies and kill kittens for Satan worship.

[Bizdoc]

All of this reminds me of a line in a Fugs song that asked "Was George Washington the lesser of two evils?"

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by billethkid

We are witnessing and accepting first hand there are no viable, honest politicians running for office.

When did we switch as a society to accept the mud slinging demerits of the other person running VS what has the candidate done in their past political careers to deserve one's vote? What are their accomplishments? What will they do for us if elected? Where do they stand on issues of significance.

Have we devolved to accepting the lessor trash?

The situation we find ourselves in politically is so sad. First, it requires tons of money to seek office but shouldn't be so.. I worry that just a few of the very wealthy will soon have control of all elections using the super PAC's to make those billions in contributations. I grow so tired of the lies and distortions that are aired everyday. Generally politicans have no moral compasses and will say anything to get elected. I only hope America can survive this dreadful political path. I for one appreciate your post.

[dotti105]

Two things I feel would help our citizens to be fairly represented:

1. The end of PACS and Super PACS.
-Can you imagine the good all that $$ could do if the corporations and individuals
supporting the PACS and super PACS donated instead to education? Especially since most of the smear campaigns are financed by these. They seldom provide factual information.

2. Initiating a cap on campaign spending.
-Unfortunately in today's political world, the candidate with the most financial backing
seems to come out on top.

There are many ways to improve our very broken system. But these two would be a d*** good start in my humble opinion.

[jebartle]

Why is a political ad more effective when repeated 100's of times...Enough is enough....After this wave of ads get ready for presidential candidates...We need a break....Yipsters!