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We are in the midst of an election year. We need to remember competing for a political office sometimes gets out of hand. It is not unlike athletic events when the participants struggle so hard to win, they mistakenly allow the end to justify the means.
Admittedly, the real issues of most political struggles are obscure, obtuse and just plain boring. Many of the differences between contenders are minute, some are unimportant, and in general the contenders agree more than disagree. The real goal is, "who holds the office," which forces opponents to expand what would normally be a pot hole into a disastrous ditch, and a minor bump into an unscaleable mountain.
The old standby to attack has been "taxes." Taxes can be blamed for a multitude of ills, the elimination or reduction of which would solve all problems. Unmentioned is the fact taxes pay the salary of the office sought, and will pay for any project for the good of the community the contenders arc promoting.
Of late the nonsequiturs have been theological problems twisted into "social issues:" abortion, homosexuality and contraception. They have been pressed together and announced as part of a "war against religion." The reality is that abortion, homosexuality and contraception are private, personal and a matter of each individual's conscience., not anyone else's business, certainly should not be politicized.
Maybe it is too much to ask, but, it would be nice if the contenders and their ardent followers would stick to the real issues, clarify the problems and offer solutions.
— Bob Simison, Newton
We are in the midst of an election year. We need to remember competing for a political office sometimes gets out of hand. It is not unlike athletic events when the participants struggle so hard to win, they mistakenly allow the end to justify the means.
Admittedly, the real issues of most political struggles are obscure, obtuse and just plain boring. Many of the differences between contenders are minute, some are unimportant, and in general the contenders agree more than disagree. The real goal is, "who holds the office," which forces opponents to expand what would normally be a pot hole into a disastrous ditch, and a minor bump into an unscaleable mountain.
The old standby to attack has been "taxes." Taxes can be blamed for a multitude of ills, the elimination or reduction of which would solve all problems. Unmentioned is the fact taxes pay the salary of the office sought, and will pay for any project for the good of the community the contenders arc promoting.
Of late the nonsequiturs have been theological problems twisted into "social issues:" abortion, homosexuality and contraception. They have been pressed together and announced as part of a "war against religion." The reality is that abortion, homosexuality and contraception are private, personal and a matter of each individual's conscience., not anyone else's business, certainly should not be politicized.
Maybe it is too much to ask, but, it would be nice if the contenders and their ardent followers would stick to the real issues, clarify the problems and offer solutions.
— Bob Simison, Newton
