This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is not the opinion of the Taylor Press.
Election season is in full swing, which means there is plenty of mudslinging going around. It’s typical during this time of year, especially on the local level, but this may be the worst I have ever seen in Taylor.
In the run-up to the May 6 ballot, we’ve seen active council or school board members campaign against fellow incumbents. We’ve seen candidates attack each other on social media or in campaign ads. The heated rhetoric, claims and counter-claims are “normal” this time of year, but hard to swallow.
Candidates are trying to get the upper hand and persuade voters they are the right person for the job. The viewpoints are not necessarily based on the issues, but an ugly game of one-upmanship to show their opponent is not capable of leadership.
In addition, supporters of candidates have gone beyond normal election-season decorum. Here in Taylor, office seekers’ signs are being stolen or removed, which I suppose is better than the political placards being set afire as in previous years. Some are blaming the skullduggery on the supporters of the candidates, some are blaming kids.
The finger-pointing simply makes everyone look bad.
There is also a letter circulating that addresses a specific candidate’s religious beliefs. This missive was posted publicly on social media, where a wide audience could see the claims.
A person’s choice to support one candidate or another is his or her right, and the same goes for backing a candidate no matter whether the office seeker is on the right or left side of the aisle.
The situation becomes a problem when someone thinks you are insulting their choice of candidate for elected office.
While there are no political parties in local elections, there definitely are alliances. I’m still cleaning up a mess from editorial cartoons that upset a few readers – see the Taylor Press editions from March 12 and March 19.
The vitriol is certain to continue at least until Election Day. I say at least because it doesn’t matter who sits on the dais, the insults will continue. Eventually the hot air will die down, only to turn into a tempest again when controversial agenda items arise.
That’s politics. I don’t cast my vote based on what candidates or their supporters think of each other, nor do I pay attention to social-media posts attacking campaigners. My vote goes to the persons I believe will do the best job. While I won’t always agree with their logic or decisions, I’ll feel confident they are doing what they feel is best for their constituents.
That should be how politics is conducted. I’m going to get off my soapbox now and go watch “Wrestlemania.” It’s sports entertainment, but dancing with my kids to wrestlers’ themes is just plain fun.
“Every election is hectic.”
— Sharad Pawar
