Don’t you just love election years? Even the judges here in Montgomery County, Maryland have resorted to mudslinging and distorting the other guy’s record. What blows my mind is the amount of money spent on these elections. Gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Kennedy Townsend produced a video tape specifically for Montgomery County voters. As far as I know, all households with registered Dems received a copy of this tape. That’s a lot of tapes and a lot of $$$. I wonder how many people will even watch it? Or how many of those will be prompted to vote for Townsend because of it? Or how many of those will change their mind on the way to the polls because somebody handed them a glossy brochure with another candidate’s name on it?
What we need is a forum where all prospective voters can find factual information about any candidate, presented in an objective and fair manner. Then we need people to learn to use this forum, and not rely so much on the glossy literature that has little to say, costs lots of money, and mostly just goes into the landfill (or recycle bin). The best example of this forum I have found is run by the League of Women Voters. You can put in your ZIP+4 and have a list of all the candidates, ballot issues, etc. with information about all of them. Imagine an election where campaign contributions are not a factor, and the piles of propaganda are considered unnecessary. Hey, it could happen. In the meantime, get out and vote! It gives you the right to demand more from your politicians.
