It is 2014 and another election year. But honestly, with all of the special elections, scandals and appointments, there really has been no break in the onslaught of dealing with political offices and candidates.
Things have geared up for this election season in full swing and endorsements are being handed out like Halloween candy even though many have yet to declare intentions to run for some offices.
It is 2014 and another election year. But honestly, with all of the special elections, scandals and appointments, there really has been no break in the onslaught of dealing with political offices and candidates.
Things have geared up for this election season in full swing and endorsements are being handed out like Halloween candy even though many have yet to declare intentions to run for some offices.
San Diego Republicans have already endorsed El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and Councilmember Gary Kendrick. Other endorsements include the Helix Water District, La Mesa/Spring Valley School District, Lakeside School District, Santee School District, Grossmont Union High School District, Lakeside Water District, Lakeside Fire Protection, San Diego County District Attorney, County Board of Supervisors, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Assemblymember Brian Jones, just to name a few.
So far, the San Diego Democrats have done their fair share of endorsements, but none that fall under East County according to its website. But, it will not be long before they jump on the bandwagon and the mudslinging will begin, or continue I should say.
There is nothing that appalls me more than dirty political campaigning. It seems, no matter what party is behind it, there are very few candidates that are willing to stand on their own merits without doing everything they can to discredit their opponents. It is a sad state when politicians and the groups that support them feel the need to use disgrace, deception and many times outright lies to get the upper edge.
As a voter that votes on merit, not party affiliation, there is nothing more that will make me take a hard look at whom I am favoring when they come out with mudslinging attack ads. It immediately shows weakness, fear and brings forward an intimidating personality that I consider bullying. It is no wonder that bullying has become a forefront problem in our society and our children are learning bullying tactics from the leaders that are supposed to be looking out for their futures.
Of course, since the majority of campaign funding goes to party affiliates, those on the campaign trail can easily stand on the sideline and say they did not approve or have any knowledge. Cowards they are, and untrustworthy is the motto when they stand on that pile of sinking sand.
In 2014, there are some fundamentals that I am looking for in candidates that say they want to serve their communities. Integrity, honesty and a plan to fix what they call a problem. From city planning, to health care, immigration and every issue in between, we the people are tired of talk and want answers. But too many spend all of their time blaming the other side for the problems we face today. Problems trickle down from years of bureaucracy and there is an unwillingness to really provide a real solution, but voices grow strong to oppose anything they do not agree with.
At the rate we have been heading for so long, it is getting to the point that I am beginning to believe that the party system is not democracy at all. It is a circus of competitors that do not know how to compete fairly. In the end, the majority of the people that represent us today resort to schoolyard bully tactics to make the other person look worse than they do.
For those running this year, let constituents see your merits, ideas and vision without the vagueness of political jargon. We vote to make our communities a better place to live, our jobs a better way to support loved ones and ourselves and to uphold the principles of a free nation. It is not asking much to see just a little more integrity and truth and a lot less mudslinging.
