In this political season, there has been more noise and less substance than in any prior election I can remember. Don’t tell me what is wrong with the other person. Tell me about your record and what you will do for me. You may feel the same way, too.
Most public office races produce an incumbent versus a challenger. This guide will help you focus on what might be important to you and help you decide for whom you should vote. The questions should be answered only yes or no. If most or all are answered “yes,” vote for the incumbent. If most or all are answered “no,” vote for the challenger.
• Do you believe the incumbent is running on his/her own voting record?
• Do you believe the incumbent worked to “drain the swamp” of political corruption?
• Do you believe the incumbent represents and votes for your interests and values?
• Do you believe that you are better off economically than you were two years ago?
• Do you believe that the past two years of stimulus spending and new laws have made things better for you?
Your answers to these questions should provide you with insight as to whether the incumbent should stay in the office, or be replaced by a new person, regardless of the party affiliation of the incumbent, or who that new person may be.
This article appears in Oct 28 – Nov 4, 2010.
