The Battle with Politics

I must be honest with you. I am disinterested in the upcoming elections. Usually, I would be campaigning for my candidate of interest through social media and yard signs but lately, I have developed a disinterest in politics. I am not certain of any of the candidates’ intention. Regardless of if they are running for president, mayor, vice mayor, council-at large or any other positions, their campaigns are bothersome to me. I understand that as citizens, we should expect a few false promises and some political slants during campaigning. Given the history of politicians, it would shock me to see otherwise. Not saying I agree with utilizing any of these tactics, but sometimes you must accept the things you can’t change. My issue with seeing so many of these tactics being used is they are interfering with us getting to hear the candidate. I’m sure a lot of you are probably going, “Yes, that is what they want to happen.” If that is so, when do we same enough is enough? After all, they are supposed to be working for the people. When did honesty become a voided expectation?

Back to my issue with the campaigning strategies and candidates, I am not hearing much from them. Even in public appearances, these candidates seem to be speaking for someone other than themselves. Some of them seem uncertain, which plants skepticism in a viewer’s eye about their intentions. Some of them you can tell is new to the political world and do not know how to respond to situations but are being advised on what to do and say. I do not feel a genuine connection between what the candidate says and what they believe. It’s like they know they are wrong but hopping on the bandwagon of supporting their party through their wrong. Not to mention the public’s response to these politicians.

The general public is not spending enough time researching these candidates to say that they truly agree with most of what their desired elected official stands for. We have become a society that base fact off of hearsay rather than researching things for ourselves. I’ve listened and participated in many arguments amongst people defending false information about policies and plans that these candidates are supporting. It is scary to think that a plethora of the general public chooses to believe whatever someone tells them. We have to break this pattern of “quick and easy.” We are birthing generations of quick fixes and easy explanations rather than performing analysis and thinking critically about decisions.

Because I am going to vote, I will take some time to look further into the candidates. However, I do not want to feel like I am being persuaded. I’d much rather hear the candidates speak from the heart and let the natural flow of persuasion take its course. Judging by how empty early voting for local officials typically are, I think there are others who would agree.

*I did not list names or specific examples to prevent from being bias.*