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I thought that once upon a time, we elected people to office who understood the issues of the people. It was seen as a good thing if a candidate understood poverty and understood race. It was a good thing if a candidate was a talented spokesman. It was a good thing if a candidate had a mature and courteous campaign manner. And while it was unique, it was a good thing if the candidate stayed above the fray of mud-slinging in their campaign rhetoric.Of course common folks love the excitement of a good ole'fashion brawl. But I viewed political contest a little different. I'd hoped that candidate were answering a higher, more noble and respectable calling and so the contest reflected that.
Imagine this is Middle School and the candidates are competing for President of the 9th grade class. While it would be helpful to know what the candidates plan on doing while in office that would directly help the students...they instead imitate the campaign and debate period seen in our adult elections.
14-year-old Justin tells all that Malery should not be elected because she doesn't have the good judgement enough to pick a decent boyfriend. Then he drops the bombshell. He reports that she doesn't care because it takes the focus off of her cheating with the boyfriend of her best friend--the head cheerleader. She immediately loses the cheerleader vote. It doesn't matter if Justin's story is true or not...it is out there, people have chosen sides because if it...and even if it is proven to be false...the damage is done, and hard feelings are very hard to repair.
In retaliation, Malery tell the audience that Justin is very mean -spirited heart breaker. She explains that while she has never witnessed it herself, she's heard that this popular, all-American super-jock "sweet-talks" the "shy, unpopular girls" into going into the broom closet during lunch hour to make out. After he get them to do this, he dumps them and brags about it to his friends on the football team. Whether true or not, team mates do not want to appear to be co-signing on this type of behavior. Also, girls at the school, especially the demographic he targets, are angry with Justin. The once favorite to win is now falling behind his opponent in support.
So the election ends up being more about whose indiscretions are petty and unforgivable. Thus it is why it is important to accuse them of the most unforgivable, abominable, treacherous, horrific thing you can imagine. The winner becomes the one whose alleged indiscretions have offended the least amount of people. No one is voting for the candidate with the best plan.
Would you want to see your child participate in a contest like this one? Whether this is a best practice or not, this is what our children our learning about the election process. It is no wonder up until Barack Obama so many were not interested or participating. And that is the real reason why the old guard of politicians are trying so hard to destroy the Obama movement. That is why Rush Limbaugh and the others are speaking up for Hillary Clinton. That is why the Republicans and the Clintons are all waging bloody war against Obama. Senator Obama has awakened several sleeping giants that the old guard, Republican and Democrat, would prefer stay asleep, away from the polls and out of touch.
So the plan is to cut off the head of this movement, and maybe the giants will die or go back to sleep forever. That way the old guard could continue to do things the crazy, self-serving way that they have..and all would again be good for them in the world.
