It's finally over:

Thoughts on the Election

By Jack Hoblitzell Staff Writer

y the time that you read this, Bill Clinton will have probably easily won a second term in office, and most people will be going about their business like a presidential election never occurred. When George Will spoke at Trinity several months ago, he called this election one of the most inconsequential elections in recent history. In terms of our relative peace and security, I tend to agree with him, however, I think that this election is important in what it tells us about how many Americans view politics in general.

Throughout the country, many people see politics as a dirty, corrupt profession. Who can blame them. In the last 20 years we've been through Watergate, Iran-Contra, the Congressional Post Office scandal, and Bob Packwood; not to mention the various "gates" that the current administration has dealt with over the last four years. As a result of all these scandals, many see politicians as corrupt and self-serving, only looking to promote their own interests and those of their big money campaign contributors. The fact that many people hold this view about politics is really sad. Politics is one of the most important institutions in this country, and being a politician should be a honorable and prestigious occupation which attracts men and women capable and willing to do the job.

Why is this not the case? I believe that TV has played a large role in society's view of politics. During election years, the airwaves are filled with ads smearing the personal records of people seeking election. Why would any qualified person want to run for election and subject themselves to the smear tactics that will inevitably be used against them? Television has also served to make meaningful political debate the rarity instead of the norm. News coverage of political events has been reduced to clips of politicians standing on flagged draped platforms making "Read my lips, no new taxes," pledges. We are in the age of the 10 second sound bite. Even the two minutes that Lincoln spent on his Gettysburg Address would be too long for the evening news to use. This has also led to a new breed of politicians. No longer are candidates evaluated on their merits, but it seems as if Americans are now voting for the candidate who is a smooth talker, and who looks good on TV.

There are several solutions to these problems. One of which would be to increase federal funding of elections. With increased federal financing of elections, candidates would be less dependent on the donations of PAC's and other special interests. This independence from special interests would lessen the influence that they have in elections, and could possibly lead to a decrease in the amount of "soft money" that these interests spend in support of these candidates. Candidates accepting the federal funds should also be prohibited from using that money to air negative ads. This would hopefully lead to advertisements that focus on the issues and stimulate meaningful and healthy debate.

Free air time for candidates is also a needed measure. Giving the candidates 45 minutes or an hour of air time a week in the month leading up to the election would allow the candidates to set forth their platforms while telling us why we should vote for them instead of their opponent. Despite what the networks might say in public, they are against free air time, and are actively lobbying against it in Congress. The networks, like any other corporation are profit seeking institutions, thus they are reluctant to give up air time that could otherwise be used to make money. If the networks are reluctant to give up air time, why not have the government offset some of the costs of giving air time to candidates. The increased spending would be worth it if it helped to spark meaningful debate and increase voter education and participation.

Reforms are definitely needed in our political system. However, all reforms would be for nothing if people don't get out and vote. Ultimately, we are responsible for the actions of our elected officials. If we elect an idiot, we shouldn't be surprised when that official does something idiotic. We, the voters, have the ultimate power in our government. It is our duty to elect the most qualified and honorable person to the job. The fact that we haven't been doing our duty is the main problem with our political system. If we don't get out and vote, then no amount of campaign reform will ever fix what is wrong with the system.

Related Links:
Almanac of American Politics