Plotting and Politics? Oh no, by Barbara Edwards
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| Lexington-Concord April 19th Memorial |
The first of the presidential hopefuls was on TV and I ran screaming from the room. No! No! No! It’s too soon!
I have a problem. I remember when the presidential race ran from July when the conventions were held, until November, when we voted. Now the race never stops.
I paced and ranted, then my sense of humor took over.
What if I were plotting this story? Would I start the action over eighteen months before the climax?
I’ve heard candidates talk about running for president for four long years.
Where is the suspense? Does it take that long to reveal character? After months, who cares? Maybe that's the point. to bore us into not voting. I liked the four short months of intense campaigning. I learned everything I needed to know in that short time.
In the best written books character, experience, and what they had to offer is revealed by the author in an interesting, timely manner.
As an author what kind of president would I run? What is important to me?
Do I care if someone got a traffic ticket when they were in their twenties? Maybe, if they have an ongoing record of misconduct.
How about tax fraud? That doesn’t seem to be a big offense anymore, but I won’t vote for that one either.
How about immoral behavior? I won’t vote for a person who is so selfish they can hurt their spouse and children.
So where do I learn about the candidates if they don’t run for years in an attempt to blind me with smoke and mirrors? The plot thickens.
I’m fairly smart, like my friends, and I can do research. Lots of research to find truth, justice and the American way.
I can’t count on the news media to tell me the truth. And I have to pick through blogs to find facts not opinion.
I know that many politicians run since they legally can keep a big portion of their ‘War Chest” for their own use after they lose. I can’t trust someone who needs multi-millions of dollars to persuade me what to think.
I know politicians lie. No matter what you call an untruth, it is a lie.
How’s my plot going? Too much distraction from the interaction between the hero/heroine running for president and the goal of being president.
Since I want a president who is honest, upholds the Constitution, is the Commander in Chief, represents all Americans, and is morally upright, I will be writing my own ending in the voting booth.
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18 comments:
I am so with you, Barbara! It's barely begun and I already shut off the TV. Can't wait for the negative ads to start running. I just wish they'd all come clean and tell us what they really think. I'll bet they'd be surprised how many people would respond to honesty. I'd rather vote for a candidate who's honest but whose positions are contrary to mine than one who says what he/she thinks I want to hear then does the opposite. UGH. I hate politics.
Hi Leah,
I'm so tiered of them all. I love following politics, but to me this is a bunch of bull. I already know the final candidate won't be one of these. they'll be shredded by the media.
You are so right about not getting the truth out of the media, or, unfortunately, most candidates. You're also right about preferring a truthful candidate with differing views. My biggest problem is most sources think we're all idiots. "Call it the stupidity of the American voter." Seriously? Thanks for sharing.
I agree with your other commentators, and also with your idea that four months for a campaign is quite long enough. My mother (89 y.o.) and I were discussing the race and she spoke of the conventions as if the parties actually decided who to nominate at that time. Oh, for the good old days of back room maneuvering, thick cigar smoke, and metaphorical choke-holds!
Hi Margo,
that is the major problem. Politicians are so out of touch with real people they think we'll fall for the same old crap. How about being honest, guys/gals? It worked for George Washington.
Hi Ashantay,
How I wish we could go back to the 'old days'. Or maybe not. I know this political machine is oiled with money and that's the real reason for this hype. They are trolling for the big fish not us minnows.
I even thought four month was too long.
Ack! I am not ready for election season. I see myself turning the TV off quite a bit. :)
Barbara, you're right about the need to dig deep through the fear mongering and name calling to find out truths. Sadly, if we don't do that, we'll miss the chance to be the intelligent voter this country needs. Thank goodness my husband does the research for both of us...he always tries to get to the heart of the matter. I write fiction; he sorts through fiction to get to the bottom line. It's our way of sharing the load :-)
Oh my! If it isn't the national, it's the state and local. And they run forever til we're nauseous. And forget an honest man because the media will find something whether it be them or a family member or friend and beat it to death. I read a lot and stay away from the tv channels that yell on every topic known to mankind.
And it isn't just the TV. Facebook is revving up with vitriol. Nastiness abounds with opinions on the candidates. Uh, maybe these people should remember the old saying, "If you can't say something nice..."
I live in NH, the first-in-the-nation state, where we have a saying--if it's political season, why can't we shoot 'em? (We say the same about tourists, too.) Then I have my own defense for when I meet these yahoos in public: "Hi, I'm XYZ and I'm running for Whatever," they say. I shake their hand and reply, 'Hi, I'm Nikki, and I'm running for the port-a-potty." Works every time. And when they call me, I just tell 'em, "Every time you call, I'll make a donation to your opponent."
Seriously, I believe we need to get corporate money out of politics and limit the campaign period. It would certainly cut down on the viciousness.
Hi Angelina,
You'd think they'd get the message.
Hi Rolynn,
How lucky you are. My husband is like a bulldog searching for the facts, too. I have the curse of remembering what they said last year And the year before. I'm so glad you vote.
Hi Vicki,
it isn't a debate if you can't hear their voices stating facts. And I want facts, not opinion. Why can't the media get with the program?
Hi Jannine,
I wouldn't even go on social media if I didn't do promo.
Hi Nikki,
I wouldn't want to be the "as goes New Hampshire so goes the nation' state. Do any politicians actually believe all the tripe gets them votes or are they just worried about donations?
Politics today is so contentious--gives me a headache. We need a President AND Congress to work together for the good and betterment of ALL Americans. Sigh.Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
It does seem like we go from one election's publicity straight to another, without any breathing space. Like a sporting event, it's often the person who's doing best right near the election who ends up winning.
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