By the time this edition of The TIMES is available on the news stands, we will have one week before the climax of the presidential campaign. Will we be better able to make a choice of the available candidates? Who knows?!
However, one concern I have may not be meaningful to others. There is a term called "buyers remorse" which refers to questioning a particular purchasing decision after the fact, and it may be applicable in today's political climate. Hillary Clinton particularly was stressing early voting in her speeches in Florida last week. At the same time, the new costs of Obamacare were showing increases of varying degrees in numerous states making the prospects of four more years of Obama's legacy health care program not look so attractive. For those already voting in support of another four years of the Obama methods of leading, the chance to change their minds is gone.
And, of course, as The Donald continues to use his own method of campaigning the same comments could be true. We do not know what he will say to offend some group next, nor do we know what the FBI will turn up in the Weiner emails or if they include any connection to Hillary's classified email scandal. Depending on the controversy of the day, any uncommitted and/or undecided voter might be swayed to make a decision to vote for a specific candidate. I certainly understand the feeling of uncertainty about both candidates' motives on this and a lot of other issues. Just get the votes while you can before the next crisis comes up. I understand also the advantage of early voting for the election workers and spreading the votes over a long period rather than having everyone try to vote on the one day. It certainly eases the burden for poll workers, so there are benefits.
I understand the early voting issue has created some question as we have seen here in Arkansas concerning the ballot issues about legalizing some aspects of marijuana. The television news has interviewed some voters who had cast their ballots expecting to support one issue only to find it has been determined to not have a clear, detailed, ballot title. For those who chose to support one issue over the other specifically for its content and did not support both issues, they apparently lost the opportunity to support what might be their choice because they took the recommendation to vote early.
Frustration seems to be the word I hear most from people who talk about political concerns. Who, among the two primary political party candidates, can you believe anyway? Donald Trump seems obsessed with exaggerations and generalizations indicating a complete lack of organization of thought or at the very least a lack of knowledge of detail. And, Hillary has a plan, or at least a form of ideas, that can only materialize under a Democratic controlled Senate, House and Supreme Court. Who actually believes the idea of "free college education in state institutions" is an economic reality? Who is actually going to reverse health care costs ? Who can influence corporate America to bring industry back to the Iron Belt?
The one who can work those miracles gets my vote.
•••
Editor's note: Leo Lynch, an award-winning columnist, is a native of Benton County has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. The opinions expressed are those of the author. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Editorial on 11/02/2016