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Dear Editor:
The state of the elected and those seeking to be elected is indeed pitiful. Many have commented on these individuals positively or negatively based upon an ideological bent. And this is exactly what those seeking and holding office want. They want to appeal to a base level instinct. Fear, anxiety, anger, hatred, and, yes, discrimination.
All sides practice this ancient art, all sides are culpable in its use. Many regard the state of our politics in a very disparaging manner. But in actuality are the politicians not giving the populace what they want?
In this “reality+ and social media based society, where everyone wants instant gratification, is this not what they, the politicians, are giving? Social media, 24 hour news cycles, reality TV all look to use catch phrases, outrageous acts, slander and vulgarity to get you to pay attention. And guess what, it works. People watch, and they tweet, and they like or friend those that they connect with on some level, yet do not know personally. They make you cringe as they do or say outlandish things, they attempt to make you afraid, to make you angry, to scare you about the perils of those that are different than you. Is this not what is happening in politics?
Nuance over issues is the way it works today. No one has any respect for any other opinion or judgement. They quibble other the shibboleth of the word or the subject, and let the substance stay on the fringe. The media outlets love this – hey it gets people to pay attention, and that is the business model. I do not blame the media as long as they merely report, and not incite the circus. Report to me about the performance, but please do not throw peanuts to the elephants.
As we draw nearer to another election, many state there disconnect with the proposed candidates. This is not the fault of the candidate. The candidate is a reflection of the voter, of the electorate. We perhaps are not getting the candidates we need, but we indeed are getting the candidates we deserve. Perhaps it is time to look at what drives society today, and as we cry about moral corrosion and the loss of values, maybe a little self-examination is in order. These shows, media outlets, web sites, and candidates are not getting attention for being unpopular. This is not a criticism of any party or candidate, but of all parties and a majority of state and national candidates. Those that grasp hold of division and stalemate as though they were wishing to replay the WWI Verdun or Somme on a political scale. Seeking a crack or supposed weakness. Willing to slog through muck and mud as casualties pile up, then once found, look to exploit it. Unfortunately, people and nations bore the cost decades on and it lead to the rise of yet another evil and another war. Looked at through the lens of history we see the errors, perhaps it is time to reflect yet again.
As Shakespeare wrote, and which seems true in this era ” The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves”.
Eric Mays
Calcutta