Television on the wall, Who is the biggest crook of all?

I've seen some pretty scary characters in my time. I've seen a few of them up close and personal, but last night I saw some of the most vile, hideous, conniving, unscrupulous, dishonest, and unethical people I've ever seen in my life. These observations were not where I have typically met our planet's lowest form of creodonts. It wasn't a drug bust or a crime scene. It wasn't at one of our local jails or prisons. These observations were seen from the comfort of my own home, clearly displayed on my television as one political commercial after another consumed the screen on what should have been a relaxing evening. <br /> <br /> If you believe what you hear on these spots, those people who are running for our elected offices aren't fit to run for dog catcher. In fact, according to what we hear, they are not qualified to run for dog catcher or any other position. We have seen some bad political ads over the years, but surely we have bottomed out with this political season. Political ads have evolved from real information with a smidgen of negative smear to an absolute character assassination with very little, if any, information about the real issues of the campaign. <br /> <br /> I've heard one campaign adviser after another justify this trash with the tired old "that's just politics" argument. What I saw hardly had anything to do with politics. In fact, politics is rarely mentioned anymore. It's about 45 seconds of one candidate informing us about what a total piece of trash the other candidate is. Granted they have developed several ways to deliver this message, but whether it's two old guys at a checker board, Grandma on the swing, or the new generation "keeping it real," the message is always the same. One candidate is the best thing since sliced bread and the other guy (or gal) is the personification of Satan. <br /> <br /> These commercials are, however, evidence of how man continues to evolve into a softer and kinder creature. You see these guys, immediately after one of these commercials where they have called each other every name in the book yukking it up and slapping each other on the back like old Fraternity Bothers in public appearance events. I've seen guys get the living slop beat out of them for saying so much less about another man than what these commercials depict. Just one of these accusations would have led immediately to someone heading to the old ER to have their nose reset, but apparently not anymore. They crucify each other publicly and proceed to have a little bar-b-q with one another at a political rally. Wow!<br /> <br /> But, what is even more disturbing is the prospect of trying to decide who to vote for based on the information that we are getting. It's almost down to the point where we are forced to vote for the candidate who is a lesser slime bag than the other. If you believe what we are being told, we have to pick a guy or girl that is totally corrupt but at least he or she is opposed to abortion. We have to pick a candidate who admits to a healthy fascination to drugs at one time, but at least he or she is for building that fence along the border. Are we really down to this as a means of electing those people we expect to run our government? And, if all of this is true, can we really act surprised when after being elected one of the candidates commits some unthinkable act?<br /> <br /> I know that many of our candidates today are far from what we see on the television in a constant stampede of some of the nastiest political pieces that I have ever seen. I know this because I know some of them personally. And, I can assure you that I have never seen the people that are being depicted on the negative television advertisements. But, everyone who is evaluating their choices may not know these candidates personally. They are forced to decide based on political commercials, enough mailers to fill a dumpster and the occasional political debate that turns into a side step when a candidate is actually questioned about a real issue. We have seen so many polls over the years where voters have voiced their objections to dirty and negative campaigns. However, politicians who have tried to keep their campaigns clean and concentrate on the issues, say that they are basically ignored as the media focuses on one cat fight after another.<br /> <br /> So, until we can get away from this Jerry Springer approach to campaigns, what is a voter supposed to do? I would suggest that you do your own investigation of a candidate's past so that whatever you decide to do will be based on what you know to be true; not what someone else told you about their version of the truth. Obviously this extra effort means taking time from your already busy schedule to make an informed decision. But, rest assured, the time you spend to put the right candidate in office will pale in comparison to the time it will take to get the wrong candidate out of office. It's well worth the efforts.<br /> <br /> If you simply don't have the time, might I suggest a series of ini mini miny moe eliminations? Even that process is better than deciding based on the information that the various campaigns are providing. But hey, you have to admit it is entertaining if nothing else. Happy Voting!!!