Moronic Television Advertising

Newport, Rhode Island, USA

At my recent US Citizenship ceremony we were reminded to register to vote. The judge commented that we should vote for representatives who do good jobs and not vote for those who do not. We seem to have a couple of pretty good Senators. One drives a fairly green car and works hard for the state. The other actually visits Iraq to form an opinion and offers workshops to help kids make it to college.

However this local election is turning into a national poll about the State of the Union on polarized party lines – only worse. Six weeks ago advertising was generally a summary of candidates proposed policies. Today it is repetitive back to back Republican/Democrat or Democrat/Republican spin on one distorted fragment of the opposing candidate’s voting record.

Fellow citizens – can I remind you that in this local election we also have to vote for LOCAL issues – and there is a large slate of candidates and posts. Then there is the raft of Rhode Island issues that made it onto the ballot amongst which are:

• A casino amendment on which I see a lot of “scare” advertising that rarely addresses the ACTUAL wording of the amendment and often plain does not.
• The return of voting rights to prisoners out of jail on probation.
• An increase in the state’s financial reserve.
• A number of bond issues to improve roads, schooling and housing – all of which will cost nearly twice as much as the principal once paid off. Shouldn’t we be worried about this?

For all I know there could be additional votes required on town issues that might be on the ballot – like the need to borrow to repair the town sewers! I found out by accident this morning that there is. Trying to get real information on which to make a decision is not so easy in the noise of “spin” and character assassination.

As H.L.Mencken said: “As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

We have done that bit. Now – through the “noise” - we are likely to elect unknowns into local positions because we don't know anything about them and make some lousy bond decisions too. Can we rise above the morass?

With a week to go - I challenge voters to obtain some real answers and policy statements from our candidates and information from bond promoters. I never thought there might come a day I might be glad to welcome back those dumb car adverts on the TV…

"This post was paid for with my personal funds and one finger typing and I approve this message" - Graeme J W Smith - Campaign for a real campaign before it is too late!

This letter was carried by the Newport Daily News on Thursday 2nd November in a three page spread of letters. All other letters consisted of negative attacks on candidates by other candidates or their supporters. The letter was also featured on the BBC World Service Programme "Have Your Say" on Wednesday 1st November and Graeme was interviewed on the programme.