The 3rd Side

With the 2008 Presidential election less than a week away, candidates are busy trying to sway those few still undecided.  However, for most Americans, we’re simply looking forward to different commercials, or at least something not dealing with political mud slinging.

Now, just to be straight right from the start, this isn’t a post about who you should vote for, or how wonderful a certain candidate is.  Personally, I don’t care who you vote for, or even if you vote.  Voting, or not voting, is a personal choice.  Not to mention, there are plenty of ads and other people who will gladly tell you all you probably don’t want to know about their favorite candidates.

Every candidate promises change.  Every ad promises they are better than their opponent.  Every speech and debate promises us a perfect country.  Every politician running for public office has always promised the same thing.  However, it takes much more than words to make a difference.

I look at the figures for campaign costs and all the time the candidates spend away from their current governmental positions and wonder why we support anyone at all.  If candidates really want support, how about doing something useful with their time and money instead of wasting ours?

Instead of spending thousands and even millions on a campaign, how about putting that money to good use?  Donate the money to charity or use it to help fund state and national projects currently on the backburner due to lack of funds.  Honestly, this type of candidate would be much more appealing to the masses.

Also, why would we want to vote for someone that isn’t even capable of staying in the position in which they were originally elected.  Look at the presidential and vice presidential candidates for instance.  Three are senators and one is a governor.  Who’s doing their job while they’re off campaigning?  Granted, they work when their campaigns allow, but do we really want someone who can’t finish one job before moving on to the next?

Now, candidates must campaign.  That’s the only way anyone’s going to know they are running.  Candidates should still have fundraisers, but only keep a small portion of the money.  This money should be used for one or two ads that will run through the duration of the campaign.  The same ad can be used in newspapers and on television.  Also, state visits should be carefully planned instead of jumping back and forth constantly.  Candidates can allow talk shows, local news, and newspapers to help spread the word.

As far as doing their job, candidates should only campaign when they’re not working.  Their original position should be first and foremost with the campaign as more of a side job.  This would prove they could handle their normal responsibilities and those of a campaign at the same time.  Successfully handling both would prove the candidate is worthy of a new position.

Will anything really change?  No.  Although, it’s nice to think one day political campaigns could benefit everyone.  But then again, what’s a campaign without waste and politics?  When in truth, a campaign should go beyond politics.  All that truly matters is what kind of person the candidate is and a straight answer on where they stand on important issues.  There is no need for mud slinging or tons of political non-sense.  So when you go to vote, look beyond the politics.

Have your say about the presidential election in the poll below.