Election frustration
I know I may be in the country's minority when it comes to stuff like this, but I actually like to be informed about elections before I go to the polls in November. I regularly listen to NPR to keep up to date on general news, but I've noticed in the past that very little is usually mentioned in the news reports about local New Jersey politics, and I've had to turn to other sources of information to make my decision.
This year is no different. Yes, NJ is being mentioned a little more because we have a Democratic incumbent who is trying to hold onto his seat, and this may be the year the Democrats regain control over Congress, etc., etc. (which may or may not be wishful thinking), but I've heard nothing really that informative on the radio about either Menendez or Kean.
Here's what I have been exposed to through the media thus far: both Menendez and Kean are participating in smear campaigns against each other. Menendez is saying Kean is just a mouthpiece for Bush, and Kean is trying to take the moral high ground by questioning the special interest sources for campaign money Menendez has been receiving (which is kind of like the pot calling the kettle black, if you ask me). I've looked at various news feeds online and found out that Menendez's favorite TV show is Alias, and Kean is a Springsteen fan. I also found out that Menendez is up by a tiny bit in the polls, due to the fact that A) he's got more money in his campaign than Kean, and B) the Foley scandal seems to be hurting Kean's standing.
I have not, however, learned anything relevant about their stances on any issues. Oh, yes, I can visit their campaign sites and sift through their well-laid-out PR rigmarole, but obviously each candidate is going to spin things in his favor. But I'd love to have a newspaper article or a website that actually compared their positions side by side. Sure, the Courier-Post will probably run a very short blurb about the candidates and their positions a week before the election, but frankly, I've found all of NJ's newspapers to be sadly lacking in election coverage. No wonder there's so much corrupt government in NJ!! None of the voters are well-informed!
Luckily there is indeed a website that compares each candidate's viewpoints objectively, and I find it incredibly helpful. Project Vote Smart is a mostly volunteer, nonpartisan organization that works to inform ignorant voters (such as myself) by reporting the results of a National Political Awareness Test that is administered to all candidates for presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative offices.
Granted, not all candidates complete this test. But the mere fact that those people are not willing to state for the record how they weigh in on some of the most important issues facing our country makes me think twice about voting for them.
So do I know who I'm going to vote for? I know where I'm leaning. After all, I want the Democrats back in control of Congress, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. But do I like Menendez? ...Eh. I really wish there were more strong choices besides those two (the other contenders include: two Socialists, a Libertarian, and Edward "NJWeedman" Forchion from the Legalize Marijuana Party - always an entertaining candidate if nothing else).
Oh yeah, and there are other things on the ballot too, like a seat in the House of Representatives and three different questions to ponder. Honestly, I wouldn't have known any of this if it weren't for Project Vote Smart, because even in today's age of information, people in my community either don't care enough to write or speak about these issues or some people in high places are going out of their way to not keep the public informed. Either way, it makes me mad as hell.
Labels: politics
