So, I've come to the conclusion that politicians are greedy and selfish. Okay, I've always known that but now more than ever. Since tomorrow is Indiana's primary the candidates have been focusing a lot of attention here and making it seem like they really care about the constituencies, but they don't. They just want the votes. How do I know?
Well, let's start with the ongoing attention everyone around here is getting. Average kids are being made to feel like celebs...buying the vote if you ask me. For example, Hillary Clinton's latest commercial was filmed in our gym featuring some of our students. One of our paper's reporters got invited to a VIP party for Obama and they talked sports for 20 minutes together. In fact, our school's camera guy for BDTV (our news cast) got him to say our slogan on air "If it's about you and me it's on BDTV."
Yeah the attention is great, but when you look at these instances further it's obvious that they don't really care.
One of the girls that talked to Hillary asked her what she plans to do to help out college bound students and she only talked about NCLB...something that won't affect kids in college. My friend that met Obama said he kept getting the slogan wrong...like 9 times, and it's not that hard. And to top it off, Jon Stewart told them to go ask Obama what he knows about our school (one that both Hillary and his wife spoke at) and he didn't even know what it was.
I find this really annoying...don't appeal to someone just for the vote...you need to show you really care.
I mean, don't get me wrong I'm still voting tomorrow, but I wish we weren't all so greedy about it.
Tomorrow's It...
By vern - Posted on May 5th, 2008
When the pair visited my town in Montana (first time a candidate has shown their face before the primaries in some time mind you) they were fairly personal and genuine. Just playing devil's advocate. Barrack mentioned that we were a "coal state" which sort of offended me.
I've noticed the same sorts of things that you mention, but when I weigh them against the sorts of dialogue and groundbreaking grassroots efforts that they're spurring it, the publicity stunt argument becomes weaker. They're slowly making a dent in the civic participation trends that have been faltering in the past decades. Can't wait to see the effect on my generation-- if it's long-term or not.
The Once-ler: Well, what do you want? I should shut down my factory, fire a hundred-thousand workers? Is that good economics, is that sound for the country?
I agree that it is difficult when politicians are not personal. However, it is hard to expect them to be really personal when they are meeting with thousands of people in hundreds of locations all over the states. Friendly, yes... fact-knowing and specifically personal, probably not.