Probably this could be called reflections about a voter's dilemma. More than likely you feel the same way with the same questions about the upcoming presidential election. At this writing, we are awaiting the second debate between the two major party candidates of which -- short of a miracle -- one will be our next leader. The prospects look dim from where I stand as the campaign has turned into a battle over whose past is filled with the most mistakes instead of talking about how to bring about meaningful change to our nation and the governmental process.
There seems to be no shortage of mud slinging and willingness to spend money to find the worst of each candidate's family history, personal errors in judgment about behavior and character as it applies to leadership. The more I deal with the question people ask "who do you support in the Presidential election?" the more I want to announce to the world "none of the above."
Why should Donald Trump resign or quit the race? From my standpoint, so we can get down to a serious choice. Does my desire fit with the position of any candidate, "not likely." Who would replace The Donald? And, can, could or would, the replacement be able to bring about the needed assessment of our government? I don't know and we will go to the polls in November without an answer to that question. Just how serious America is about "real change" is going to determine the outcome of the election at the presidential level and perhaps at the legislative level to some degree. All indications are simply that Hillary Clinton is not going to make any major change in the economic or governmental areas of our nation. Whether Trump's previous choice of behavior will affect his ability to function as president is a matter of personal opinion.
We know very little about our previous presidents from personal knowledge and the history books don't cover those areas very well. However, knowing a New England family whose summer home was on Martha's Vineyard and of equal social status, they have indicated President John F. Kennedy, might be suspect in some of the areas where we criticize Trump. And, the reports of President Clinton are apparently recorded fact and we probably have numerous other elected persons whose personal life we would prefer not to encounter. The questions are ours to deal with before we go to the polls.
Are we, as a nation, at a point we need to look deep into our own moral character and acknowledge we have failed ourselves in many areas of our society? Is it fair to lose American jobs to foreign nations to balance a corporation's profit and loss statement when the majority of the stockholders are Americans? I believe Sam Walton's business philosophy was built around the theme that "if it is cheap enough" they will buy from us. These are tough questions for us to deal with because the consumer is "us." And, we are the taxpayer, the voter, etc. When do we get involved in our government to the extent it affects our pocketbook and forces us to take social issues seriously when we cast our ballots? As a recipient of Social Security, can I accept a smaller check to correct some of our problems in inner city schools and make inroads to teen pregnancy rates? If, based on that criteria, can I expect either of the two primary party candidates to meet my expectations? Are either of them really serious about their promises of change? I haven't heard them offer meaningful alternatives to the racial issues we hear about when a white police officer shoots a black person, guilty or not.
I would like to have a choice I can believe and Hillary Clinton doesn't fill that category for me. And, Donald Trump continues to keep me guessing. Do you have any of these questions or am I getting too unrealistic in my expectations?
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Editor's note: Leo Lynch is an award-winning columnist. A native of Benton County, he is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Editorial on 10/12/2016