Fear and smear rule the airways

As November rolls around and election day nears I’m noticing more than ever that political campaigns are based on fear.  Commercial after commercial,  politician after politician spending big advertising bucks,  not to tell you what their goals are,  but all the nasty little deeds of their opponents.   Fear and smear campaigns rule the airways. 

As your average Joe’et,  I’m finding it extremely difficult to support any of them.   Why has it  become acceptable in our society to be ruled by fear and accept the smear?  Honestly,  it appears there are no politicians fit to run for office.

I have family members who are quite political.  Countless hours spent campaigning national and local elections.  Honestly,  I admire their strength and determination.  However,  I often wonder if they are powered by fear.

Soon I will have to make the decision to go out and vote,  or not.  I realize that candidates get elected,  regardless of my decision.  Presently,  I find it difficult to sift through the mud and listen to the garbage long enough to make an informed opinion. 

I realize this practice of fear and smear is nothing new in the world of politics.   Supporters  of John Quincy Adams printed handbills accusing Andrew Jackson of executing six militiamen in 1813 without cause. Jackson’s wife was accused of being an adulteress. Grover Cleveland was mocked as the father of a child out-of-wedlock with the slogan, “Ma, Ma, where’s my Pa?” Supporters had the last laugh when he won, his pa was: “Gone to the White House. Ha, ha, ha.”

 This is where we are now with 24 hour news and endless information via the internet.    Apparently,  politician must think we love this stuff.  Sure,  that’s just what we wanna hear,  nobody is fit to run our country.   I think it would be one thing if all the accusations were true,  but it appears that all we get is half-truths and twisty stories spoon fed to us daily.   Nothing makes me more angry than when I find out on my own that a political ad is being less than honest,  just another  smear for personal gain and greed. 

  We’re taught it’s our civic duty to be informed and to go out and vote.  Make America a better place and I’d love to do just that.  However,  if the candidate’s choose not to market their own agenda.  Run a campaign based on  smearing their opposition with as much muck as they can dig up ,  I personally won’t be able to control my nausea long enough to place an honest vote.    As for those future leaders of this great country,  state your facts,  your agenda,  for  if you want my vote,  I  certainly won’t be voting based on fear.  I wanna hear about YOU.