IT'S DEBATABLE

Why are we financing political circus?

Seal of the President of the United States.‡

What is a debate? I looked up the definition: “An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.” It is also defined as “An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.” The Oxford and Merriam-Webster dictionaries definitions align with that definition.

My children used to debate in high school. As I review the above definition, I recall that as young as they and their competitors were, they performed in full compliance with the above-stated norms.

Presidential debates are generally directed to “undecided” voters who are not partial to political ideologies or a party.  

I would propose that modern presidential debates are a poor use of voter time. Debates are directed at the “uninformed”. In today’s unending stream of political hype and drivel by candidates and self-appointed pundits, it would be difficult to find “uninformed” voters— but easy to find grossly “misinformed” voters. Those who wait until an election year to make up their mind about a particular candidate or issue will be grossly misinformed by election day. They will hear carefully crafted memes and messaging, designed to disparage opponents and build up the candidate being propped up. As citizens, are we not responsible for staying informed on what politicians and public officials are saying AND doing throughout the months and years preceding an election?

Last night there was a debate in anticipation of the November 5 election. I chose not to watch it. The debate was between a corrupt convicted felon former POTUS and the current POTUS.

The operative words in holding a debate would seem to be “ordered”, “formal setting”, “civil discussion of opposing views” with the expected result of getting close to the factual truth on a candidate or issue.

I have watched the corrupt convicted felon former POTUS “debating” in the past. Those debates have provided him a stage for disordered antics, replete with lies, in a quickly disrupted formal setting. Has there ever been a civil discussion of opposing views where the convicted felon participated, even within his own party?

The choice is clear to those who follow the news, inclusive of the attempted coup by the convicted felon on January 6, 2021. Can America afford to have him in The White House again?

Our future as a Democracy depends on voting for his opponent. Not voting strengthens the chances for the convicted felon.

Should we not vote smart— AGAINST THE CONVICTED FELON?

20240627

‡ This file is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.