OR: We Interrupt this Reality Show for a.... Reality Show?
Every 4 years one of the seminal events of politics used to capture the attention and television audience with its glitz and grandeur, suspense and drama. They were shown on all networks and received great ratings because they provided a peak at the democratic process. My parents were glued to their sets as each political party laid before the American people their positions on the issues that confronted them. Men like David Brinkley and Eric Severeid provided commentary on the real and unreal as candidates prepared for the glory of being chosen as representatives of their party or fading into the shadows of the chosen.
Coming soon to a cable network near you.....the Democratic and Republican Conventions. (I hear a few crickets chirping in the background.)
The party conventions no longer receive the sense of drama or mystery that they once did. Speakers will parade before the microphones extolling the virtues of their candidates and "guiding principles" and then the candidates themselves, with bands playing and crowds cheering will follow up with the same campaign speech they've been doing for a month. Mr. Bush will exclaim how America is "safer" (because opinion polls say he is considered a better candidate against terrorism) and Mr. Kerry will talk about "opportunity" (because he is seen as offering a better domestic agenda).
Most people will probably catch the normal 15 second sound bites of the hoopla and it will fade into memory by the time the vote occurs in 4 months. Principles of leadership will devolve into mudslinging and articles about "Why I Can't Vote for _________" will be more available on JoeUser than "Why _____________ is the Best Choice for Me!"
That is the main reason why we have votes and elections, by the way. It should be in part because of the men. Certainly striking differences exist between the candidates, too. However, if you simply by-pass the conventions, you will miss half of the reasons to vote for the candidate, that is, what they and their political party believe. The parties will present platforms that are just that, a platform for the ideas, hopes, sometimes dreams of what America should be. They will be different and they represent 2 views that will effect our lives perhaps even more than the candidates.
I can't speak for you or anyone else but here are 5 questions I will be asking of the platforms and visions of the parties. I list them in no order of importance but each is important to me as a voter. I invite you to think of the questions you will ask. If writing them down helps, I encourage you to do so. If you want to share them with JoeUser, that will be a help to all of us.
For the Democrats (since they are first):
1. Healthcare is the fastest growing expense of Americans and workers benefits are being cut by small and medium size businesses each year as a "lose the benefit or lose the business" quandry. What will the Democratic Party do to help small and medium sized businesses so that this ends?
2. The cost of oil has risen to over $40 per barrel and many believe it will rise to at least $50 bringing the price of gasoline to as much as $3 per gallon. What does the Democratic party propose as an alternative to reliance on Middle East oil as the main energy provider to the U.S.?
3. The manufacturing base of American workers has been decreasing for the past 20 years as jobs moved overseas, leaving American workers in service sector jobs that often mean 2 income families were a must even though damage to the family is a common concern in our towns and cities. What will the Democratic party do to allow and encourage manufacturing jobs to return so that working mothers or fathers can stay home with their children?
4. Many moral issues (gay marriage, abortion, the death penalty, the spread of casino gambling) are considered bigger than simply ones that should be decided by each state. Civil and religious leaders have called upon the federal government to pass national laws, even amendments so that there is a consistency of law across all 50 states. What is the Democratic party's posion on laws and amendments in this regard?
5. The war in Iraq is a very divisive issue amongst the American people. However, we have a large standing army in Iraq and the stated position of the incumbent President is to develop a flourishing democracy in Iraq. Does the Democratic party agree with this plan and how would President Kerry impliment changes in the way we approach Iraq?
For the Republicans:
1. President Bush goes to great length to highlight the threat of terrorism to the United States. However, there hasn't been a large scale terrorist act since 9/11. Therefore, there is no way to measure whether the terrorists are active or present any concrete security threat in the future. What is the Republican party's position on increasing the range of the Patriot Act and other measures, even though basic American freedoms are being sacrificed?
2. Government deficits have reached record levels over the past several years and a total deficit of $10 Trillion is not impossible to imagine before Mr. Bush would end his second term. What proposals will the Republican party make to reduce the deficit and secure programs such as Medicare and Social Security?
3. One of the countries often associated with terrorism as well as a lack of democratic traditions and a militaristic government is Iran. Iran borders Iraq and many believe that Iran would use any pretext to move against Iraq to destroy reforms we have set in motion over the past year. Does the Republican party consider Iran an enemy of the United States and on what basis would armed invasion of Iran be undertaken by U.S. forces?
4. The economy of the United States has been in decline for the past 4 years. Americans worry about loss of jobs and dependence on foreign oil. Concurrently a flood of immigrants from South America, especially Mexico have come into the U.S. What does the Republican Party believe should be our immigration policy and how does it propose to enforce limited immigration with such a long, undefended border?
5. Major scandals in big businesses have occured on an almost weekly basis since the stock market bubble popped in 2000. Republicans are often seen as more "business-friendly" then Democrats. How does the Republican party view the immorality of business leadership and will laws be proposed to stiffen penalties for business malpractices in the future?
The gavels are about to sound...... Let's see if we hear any answers.