rather than who I would enjoy voting into office.Blame for the quality of candidates or probably more accurately the lack of quality, I find lies in three areas in no specific hierarchy.
The media has a field day skewering candidates. It gives them a method for making more revenue by getting oppositions to spend more campaign dollars slinging mud. There is no ethical standard, and few candidates want their entire lives laid bare. Even those with few skeletons in the closet are demonized. The media has a great time digging for non-issues and half truths. But then look at all the scripted realities shows
whose audiences demand dirt and vitriol or the ratings drop. It would make sense for media to do just that because the general viewing public has led the way to this debacle and then media is only giving them what they asked for. If it were not the case then why are they (scripted reality and embarrassment based shows) so prevalent? 
At the state, county and city levels, the political parties have a difficult time recruiting anyone let alone someone qualified. The costs are getting prohibitive. Who wants to spend huge quantities of personal time and money, only to have their message muffled or even silenced by those with more money. When the founding fathers crafted the second amendment I highly doubt there intent was that the person with the most money got to shout the longest from the highest platform, however that is now how it is viewed legally (even foreign businesses can vote in our elections by buying a US company and funding campaigns through that company). You could have the best idea to save the world, however if someone with more money wanted you muted, they would hire an advertising team which would out spend you and eliminate your message.
We the voters do nothing to FIND a good candidate. The reasons are varied, but if we do not search for and promote a person we feel will do a decent job, then we are stuck with whomever decides to run. Nearly twenty years ago I ran for state senate. I spent less than $300
, all but $100 was my own money and learned more than I wanted to about political games. I said not a single bad thing about my opponent and she said not a single bad thing about me. Civilized 
. The party honchos offered not one single dime because I would not play the game the way they wanted. I had lots of advise on gimmicks for my campaign by those who did not want to be at the front, but pushing from behind. Four years later the same seat was vacant (term limits). The two candidates raised and spent in excess of $75,000 (total not each). If you want to know why "I" think we have such lousy candidates.. It's because we gave the option of selecting those candidates to someone else. The rationale for why most of would say we aren't more active would be just that, trying to rationalize our actions (or more accurately IN-actions
)If you don't like the candidates; for this go round you are stuck with who someone else brought to the dance
. But if you want some skin in the game, start looking NOW, because I can guarantee that those who want the power and prestige are already planning (and probably funding) their next campaign.As an aside (dang I am long winded!!!
), I like the idea of early voting, but I would add one perk to early voting. As early voters we would have the option to have all political adverting muted and blue screened while watching TV (only possible if you are a subscriber). Since computers control the signal sent to our house via set top box or what ever, when the company selling (I hate the word provide since it denotes service not price gouging) is notified they we have voted, they toggle a switch and voila, no more political ads!!!!!!!!!! Just my thoughts
Be well,
Ben
Strange forum, I got a post deleleted 3 or 4 weeks ago for mentioning HRC and Bill. Guess who you are is what counts??
