Oh dear, it’s election time

So, I got the idea to share my generalizations, much like Holden does in Catcher in the Rye. Now many people may view Saligner’s novel as a spewing of plain speak from an adolescent who is losing his mind, but I’ve been inspired. Holden really gets to the root of what’s going on in the world according to him. So, I’ve decided to reflect on politics. More specifically, the complete waste of money we, as Americans, like to call election time. From small local elections to the presidential elections, we all see the same thing. Here is what would (and would not) make me go out and vote.

1) Any candidate who needs to belittle another candidate or party is not worthy of a vote. If you can’t sell yourself as a stand alone person without comparing to someone else, you’re not very strong.

2) Partisan politics are a waste of my time. Claiming bipartisan when you’re not is even worse. I am not registered as anything because I will not put myself in someone else’s box. What happened in the White House over the past few years is a joke and it’s embarrassing. Partisan politics turns what are supposed to be mature, educated adults into whining three year olds who want cookies for supper. Enough.

3) If you spend a tremendous amount of money on your campaign, you are ridiculous. According to Steve Mistler of The Portland Press Herald, “The governor’s race alone has topped $4.2 million in spending. That surpasses the record total of $4 million paid in 2010 by the groups…” Are you kidding me? Any, and I mean any, candidate who would announce that they are donating their (millions) of dollars being used to make their way to office to ending childhood hunger would get my vote. Or education. Or homeless Americans. Or people fighting diseases who can’t pay for treatment. Basically, politicians are claiming they want to end these issues and help people with these predicaments, however, they are missing their opportunity. They are looking at this election as a game and not trying to help the better good. I would love to see them put their money where their mouth is.

4) Any candidate who discusses education but is not a teacher, or does not know a teacher, or a parent, or student, or custodian, or something even remotely related to education is not getting my vote. I will vote for no one before I vote for someone who pretends to know education. I will quote my (I wish) BFF, Matt Damon, “ We would never let business men design warheads, why would you cut out educators when you’re designing education policy?” 

5) Anyone who lies is not getting my vote. Hahahaha.

6) Politicians who say one thing in one place, and another in another place have no backbone and should not be in office.

7) Politicians who generalize groups of people do not get my vote. They should also have tact and understand that this country is made up of people that they need to represent, even if it is a person that believes in something you don’t. If you guide your campaign by saying something about a group of people, you should not be in politics. You represent me, whether I am a Christian, Jew, Mormon, Muslim, or Atheist (or anything else for that matter) so don’t speak out against (or for) a specific group.

8) It may be a competition, but it is still the future. Remember who you are and why you want to make a difference. If you are only in it to win, please, don’t waste our time or future. We want to see things change, whether we agree with it or not- so saying you want to do this and that, then not doing it when you’re in office, is a serious let down. It would be like me wanting to be a teacher and claiming to want to change the life of others, selling myself at an interview, then not helping any kid who is failing. It’s just not good practice.

9) It’s good to talk about the wonderful things that you’ve done, but if you keep repeating what you’ve done (and it’s like one thing) over and over again, you look like a moron.

10) Again, much like teaching, if you’re in it for the money and fame, you will not be of benefit. You may get voted in, but your legacy is all you have. Remember that when you’re a politician, the election will get you where you want to be, but you have to continue. The real stuff happens after election day.

That’s all. I hate being lied to. I hate seeing money wasted. I hate wishy-washy. I hate prejudice. I hate arguing. I hate seeing others belittled. Elections are all of these. I can’t wait for November 6.

Say what you mean, mean what you say.

Claire Pelletier

About Claire Pelletier

I'm 30. Boy am I 30. I have three children: Shelby (almost 8), Harper (3), and Aidan (1). I work full time as an English teacher, full time as a mom, part time as a wife, part time as a cook at a Diner (this is actually a paid position), and a per diem house cleaner. Basically, I do it all. Oh and I like to write (revert back to my full time teaching position). This life is crazy, people are even crazier, and online blogging has given me a voice. Some may think it's a loud and obnoxious voice, but I kind of like it. I do my best to write about things that interest people, mainly about myself. Sometimes I verge into the political land, but that place scares me, so I mostly write about every day things that make me laugh, cry, or scream. Thanks for reading!