VITRIOLIC VACUUM

Excitement is in the air, in what promises to be an historic election year, with four candidates vying respectively, for the highest and second highest political office in the nation. Forty years after Dr.Kings “I Have a Dream” speech, an African-American may well become the next chief executive. After more than eighty years since Universal Suffrage was enacted, a woman could be our next vice president.

Times certainly change. However, the political circus and miasma of distortions that exist during the campaigning remains a negative anachronism from earlier elections. I for one am tired of the accusations, name calling, and discordant comparisons made by each of the parties candidates and top leaders. I find the nauseously disgusting television attack ads to be a counterproductive influence in garnering my support for any one candidate. Unfortunately, the present campaign has been replete with personal attacks, vitriolic remarks, and covertly stated falsehoods. The so-called “Fair and Balanced” news programs are a mockery, as are many of the editorials.

To cite one example, a remark made by the vice presidential candidate from Alaska, who lambasted the concept of Community Organization and Community Organizers, as seemingly meddlesome troublemakers. In fact Community Organization has existed for at least 125 years in America. During that time Community Organizers have helped to enhance the democratic process by empowering people to work toward improving the standard of living for hitherto powerless citizens especially the disenfranchised. They have involved citizens on important issues and addressed welfare needs for the common good. Through coalitions of various groups, progress and positive growth enables the under-represented few to become powerful forces for good. Jane Addams, Paul Wellstone, Martin Luther King, Jr, are just a few of these pioneering notables.

It would be a better world if the candidates (or their respective speech writers) would give a little more thought before opening a verbal valve of vitriol.

 - The Clutterman #26

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