Somebody should let the Republican and Democratic parties, and the media, know that the American voter is not a slack-jawed imbecile. We are capable of absorbing information more weighty than dried semen stains on a dress. Since Bush ran for re-election in 1992, the Republicans still don't get it. Democrats had it for awhile, but lost it again in the sea of stupidity surrounding the current administration. The press are clueless.
In another "duh" moment before the New Year, the press noted that John McCain of Arizona, who all but threw his hat into the ring for the next presidential election, opposed abortion. Before the lights went out on 1998, the next race was being recast in yesterday's light, on issues that just do not get the majority of Americans excited any more. Once again we will be treated to years of press coverage, and candidate commentary, on issues that were settled years ago (ever heard of Roe vs. Wade?).
We will also hear the old, tired drum of "family values" banged incessantly by media and politicians who think the rest of us actually believe they know anything about the subject. They treat Americans like children who are just a little slow and need things explained to them. Worse, they are sure they know what it means to value family, what that should look like for all of us. Wrong. Considering the revelations that the Republican leadership in Washington is riddled with adulterers, they are hardly capable of taking the moral high ground. Sadly, that probably will not stop them from trying.
What really concerns Americans -- saving Social Security, health care, keeping the economy strong -- is going to get lost once again. Mark my words, we will be treated to a glut of stories about Gore and the Buddhists or McCain's shady savings and loan past. Hello? We already know these things. Tell us something we don't know. Tell us how the soon-to-be-announced presidential candidates are going to provide for the nation's economic future. Find out what their economic theories are and explain those to us. In short -- give us the actual information we need to make an informed and educated choice. Stop treating us like the only thing that holds our interest is details about someone else's sex lives.
Ross Perot captured our attention in 1992 because he had the audacity to talk about the issues that really concerned us. He did not sugarcoat the situation, nor did he have to pander to special interest groups on issues like abortion, gay rights, and other hot-button smokescreens that get pressed regularly to try to distract us. Unfortunately he was too much of a loose cannon to make the voters feel safe enough to choose him, but he did show us that the presidential contest could be run on different ground than the old rut worn so deep by past politicians and the media.
It is no wonder voter turnout is low and apathy remains high. Until some venue for providing Americans with pertinent information about the qualifications for the office is found, more people will tune out. If we wanted sex scandals, we can always watch Jerry Springer.
Copyright January 1, 1999