Presidents or Celebrities?

I was thinking this week about the different ways our Presidents and Presidential candidates interact with the American people and things they do to stay visible in the public eye. One of these outlets is talk shows.

Why do Presidents and political candidates go on talk shows anyways? You might say they do it in order to push an agenda or call attention to an important issue. To me, it just seems that most of the time these people appear on talk shows because it feels glamorous. Usually, Presidents and candidates do anything from make jokes about opponents or give opinions on fashion. Both parties take part. It is a matter of status and glitz.

I feel that, sometimes, appearances like this take priority over critical issues facing our country that should be addressed. Let's talk about meaningful issues rather than playing Brad Pitt for an hour. Am I being to over-the-top? Maybe I just feel that there are more important things that need taking care of - like the economy or the job crisis that still exists.

Dear past and future Presidents,
Please get your priorities straight.

Sincerely,
An American who cares about the future of her country.

Left Hook, Right Jab

On November 2nd, one of my classmates wrote a great article on her blog, Coming Out of Political Darkness, about the alarming decline in our culture's political involvement. She talked about how we, as a nation, used to take pride in being involved in the election process. However things have changed dramatically. She says, "It seems millions of Americans just don’t care who wins or loses anymore. And why should they? We haven’t been given any real reasons to. Instead of what they can do for our country, the presidential candidates seem more interested in tearing each other down and saying whatever it takes to win publicity." She's got a good point. These days, presidential campaigns are just plain ol' ridiculous. Almost every ad consists of some bold allegation or petty slight directed at the opposing candidate. Both parties are guilty of this; neither are blameless. Campaign ads and debates are much like watching children argue back and forth: "We can blame the politicians, but it’s not all their fault. We allow this to go on and millions actually encourage it. The American public doesn’t want to watch an actual debate. They want a show. American viewers want to see a cat fight where the gloves come off and the blows get dirty. Not a well rounded argument that forces them to give us actual facts." I agree that things have gotten out of hand... and it's time that we reevaluate where we are and where we are going. If we want things to change, then we are going to have to be willing to take measures to force the change.

Honesty is the Best Policy

I want to expound a bit on my previous post.   In review, the article, “Coincidence of the day: Head of California agency that under-reported unemployment stats an Obama donor,” written by Doug Powers, informs the public of an incorrect report of some recent unemployment statistics data. That report, submitted by California, withheld the truth about the unemployment situation there.

Powers writes: "Last year California Governor Jerry Brown appointed a man named Marty Morgenstern to head the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, which oversees the Employment Development Department that 'failed to fully document' jobless claims [...] Here’s the total coincidence part that will shock the hell out of you..." Powers then provides a chart that itemizes Morgenstern’s campaign donations in 2008.

Here's my problem: I don't care if you're a Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, male or female, etc. - no matter who you are or what you do, you should be honest in all matters. We've had all sorts of issues in the past where public officials were dishonest in such things as campaigns or reports. The information in the above article is simply one example of many.

Our system is so corrupted. Unfortunately, ethics are often pushed aside in pursuit of personal gain (or political gain in this case), without any regard to the outcome. Why can't people just be honest? Why do we feel like we have to sneak around to fulfill ulterior motives?

I think it is especially important for our elected officials, those people we select ourselves, to act with our best interests in mind. We elect them because we feel they are the best choice to make correct decisions on our behalf. You have trouble trusting someone who has a history of being dishonest. So, I say, honesty is the best policy.