... Although the following could apply in principle to people running for all offices, I recommend that voters learn the answers to these questions specifically regarding state-level candidates prior to the June 10 primary:
- What does the candidate understand about the U.S. and South Carolina constitutions, federalism, the separation of powers, home rule, the limitations of government, the source of our rights and the importance of freedom, liberty and privacy?
- How many times in the past two years has the candidate watched the state House or Senate in session, attended any legislative committee meeting in Columbia and contacted his or her representative or senator about state-level legislation?
- Where does the candidate stand on issues ranging from parental control in education to taxation, and from the structure of state government to consumer empowerment?
- How many times in the two years before becoming a candidate did he or she attend meetings of the political organizations whose ideology he or she claims to embrace?
- How will the following affect the candidate's votes once he or she is in office: his or her occupation, employer, professional associations, social network and financial investments?
- To whose campaigns has the candidate and his or her business made contributions?
- Who endorses the candidate and which special interest groups, paid lobbying organizations and political action committees are backing him or her?
- What individuals, groups and businesses stand to benefit from the candidate's election to office?
- Which attribute best describes the candidate's thinking: party line or independent?
Candidate contact info is on the Web sites of the two major Aiken County political parties. I urge you to become informed and know the answers to these questions before you vote.
Vicki L. Simons, New Ellenton, S.C.
Comments
Ms Simons, you're right. These are good questions each one of us should ask about every candidate in every race we vote in. Most won't make the effort. The lazy attitude is what keeps the Democrat party alive, and you see how big it is. Too many will vote the way CNN or NPR "recommends" they should. (it's easier then thinking)
You are right PT and some will vote for a good speaker, sexy person, good dresser, good hair, good friend, their color, their gender, etc. We are fast losing the ability to think for ourselves. We all need to be more concerned about the ability of anyone we vote for and elect to any office. The "dumbing down of America" is here and working.
We can't have this....Ms Simon is demanding QUALIFIED candidates.....Tsk Tsk.
Those are VERY good questions to be considered. Most candidates offer themselves with the following: "I am for better education, economic development, and lower taxes." Positively some of the most inane, simplistic, and empty words ever spoken.
Or for you Righties, just do whatever the Republican Propoganda Machine, er, Fox News, says. Blindly following a political party is what got Geedubya in office to begin with. And if that weren't enough, "Gee, he's done a horrible job up to this point, let's elect him again!". Sad. The best voter is an informed one. Vote for who you feel will do the best job, not for the party they claim to follow. The questions posited by the letter-writer are right on!
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