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Using the Power of Persuasion “Against†Our Democratic ProcessUsing the Power of Persuasion "Against" Our Democratic Process As election time rapidly draws near, I'm once again confronted with making a choice between the lesser of two perceived evils and as I attempt to rise above the frustration of it all, I'm beginning wonder what is really happening. Why is it that we feel certain disaffection with our candidates and the election process, particularly several months after their election? Why is it that nearly every major election comes down to a near tie (a phenomenon that use to be and should be rare) putting major strains on our election machinery and its credibility? Given the current scandals in Congress and the poor selection being offered by the two- party paradigm operating in American, I would like to offer the following explanation. The reason is that we are no longer allowed to see the true man behind the candidacy. The cost associated with getting their man elected has driven our political parties to use every means possible including the use of modern marketing techniques to get their candidate elected. Unfortunately, they really don't care about the side effects on the candidate, the people or our democracy. The party leaders have a responsibility to seek out and select the best and the brightest and not to convince the people to vote for a substandard candidate through the power of marketing. This state of affairs in our election process reminds me of the days when candy companies would market their products in brightly colored, oversized candy wrappers and when the child opened the wrapper they usually found a waxy covered chocolate colored concoction that only approximated the reality presented by the wrappers marketing claims. Its time for a change!
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Clean*Leaders
It's time for Clean*Hearts, Clean*Minds, Clean*Bodies, Clean*Spitits, Clean*Records, Clean*Money and Clean*Elections.
Time to Clean*House.
BL*M
Or, maybe the problem is...
I’m beginning wonder what is really happening.
This is really good. I hope we all do.
Why is it that we feel certain disaffection with our candidates and the election process, particularly several months after their election?
A very good question to raise, and explore.
Given the current scandals in Congress and the poor selection being offered by the two- party paradigm operating in American, I would like to offer the following explanation.... we are no longer allowed to see the true man behind the candidacy.
New question: Is there really a true man behind the candidacy?
It seems an increasing phenomenon of our timeâ€â€or maybe we’re just now becoming more awareâ€â€of the “empty†man, the shell, the narcissistic personality who’s so good at looking good, but lacks a true inner core. His inner core is us, the crowd, his audience, to whom he plays, and to whom he is played. He is an entertainer, a performer, an attention getter. But is there a core of wisdom to the man? A core of competent problem-solving abilities? No, it’s just that inner core that is missing.
Maybe it’s not merely that we are not allowed to see the “true man†behind the candidate, but that there is no “true man†there to be seen. Instead of an inner core self, which many of us would expect to see, there is only an “other-directed†or “externally directed†person there. That is a type of person, to be distinguished from a mature, more complete person, in whom we can discern a true “integrity,†or wholeness.
The party leaders have a responsibility to seek out and select the best and the brightest and not to convince the people to vote for a substandard candidate through the power of marketing.
Actually, might it be that these “party leaders†may not know, or even care, who would be the best or brightest candidate? Might they understand how to market, how to get votes, how to win an election, but not really have a clue what skills might be needed to govern? Might this be why some of these leaders, like our current President, appoints people to posts who are not qualified, in any demonstrated way, to handle the job he gives them? Maybe the whole “competency†thing quite escapes him.
Its time for a change!
Yes. We can begin perhaps by educating ourselves to become more intelligent consumers of politicians. We could, for example, train or discipline ourselves to look at each candidate’s resume, his record of accomplishments (not just being elected to.... or appointed to... or holding the title of....), but actually what did they accomplish? and what are their skills, and how do those relate to the skills and competencies required in the job they seek?
For example, let’s see: George Bush’s record of accomplishment in foreign policy and international diplomacy before his election was..... Condi Rice’s accomplishments in the foreign policy area before her appointment were....
Like you say: “It’s time for a change!â€Â
MTO