Separating real talk from political hyperboleDate: 2/11/2016 Perhaps the oddest moment for me in hearing the coverage of the New Hampshire primary was when Donald Trump said he would not only bring back waterboarding if he is elected president, but torture procedures far worse.
Is this the nature of political discourse these days? Pledging to bring back the iron maiden or drawing and quartering?
It caused me to question what is truly important when it comes to government for most people.
I tend to think the average American has far more everyday concerns. Are the roads being maintained? How about the sewer and water system? Is the garbage picked up and disposed of in a responsible manner? Are there efforts to hold down taxes and fees through efficiencies and honest discussion? Are the schools educating our children in a way to truly prepare them for a career? Do seniors get the services they need? How about veterans? Do we properly fund and staff our police and fire departments? Are they responding to calls for service in adequate times?
I’m willing to bet the topics I just mentioned have far more everyday top of mind awareness than many of the topics being discussed in the presidential race.
“Ah, but Mike,” my pen pals think, “You’re wrong again. Presidents need to talk about foreign relations issues, terrorism and those big picture issues.”
Absolutely, but at least a few of those big picture issues have local consequences.
Infrastructure is a huge one. The simple fact is in many states with older cities the water and sewer infrastructure need major overhauling. Yes, that’s a local or state issue, but I think how the federal government allocates funds should take such domestic concerns into consideration.
"Mike, Mike, Mike," my critical readers chant. "You don’t want the federal government to be involved in replacing local sewers do you?" They don’t have to be involved, but it would be constructive to see greater emphasis and funding on such an issue wouldn’t it, I reply.
There are just some projects that seem beyond the means of cities and towns and, for that matter, states and I think it would be refreshing to hear presidential candidates speak about them.
I like the fact some candidates are speaking about student loans, health care insurance and job development. You may not agree with their positions, but at least a discussion is underway.
It may be a wonderful bit of rhetoric to talk about forcing a sovereign nation to pay for the construction of a wall along our border, but you and I both know this is just political hyperbole. It’s designed for the evening news and repetition on talk radio. The trouble is these kinds of statements dominate the conversation instead of discussing actual issues that affect Americans’ daily lives, such as a more realistic solution to illegal immigration.
Here is the political reality of 2016. If you go into my neighborhood in Springfield you realize the advancements made in infrastructure, housing and education did not come about through a normal course of governance. The city did not have such funds to undertake those projects, no fault of its own and no fault of the mayor or City Council.
The new sidewalk in front of my house, our new neighborhood elementary school and the new single-family homes came about because of the June 1, 2011 tornado.
It’s a sad commentary to make that a city such as Springfield gets a boost only because of the randomness of Mother Nature, rather than government on the local, state and federal levels looking at problems and seeking solutions.
People running for president should speak more about the issues that actually face this country rather than concocting talking points for their supports to repeat.
As one of my literary heroes Ambrose Bierce wrote his in “Devil’s Dictionary,” politics is “a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.”
Agree? Disagree? Drop me a line at news@thereminder.com or at 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. As always, this column represents the opinion of its author and not the publishers or advertisers of this newspaper.
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