Oh, election season. The campaigns, forums, signs, door-knocking, and of course, nothing rounds out the election starter kit like attack ads and smear campaigns.
Not even 24-hours after the writ was dropped, my Nouvelle inbox was already being flooded with emails from political parties. Not about their platforms, or how they’re going to help Alberta, but about what the other parties are doing that will destroy the province and life as we know it.
Personally, I find this type of campaigning to be nothing but detrimental. With each email berating another candidate I read, every attack ad paid for in the media, the first thing that comes to mind is, ‘okay, but what’s your platform?’
If a party’s platform isn’t strong enough to speak for itself, that instead they have to sound off on every comment the opposition makes, maybe it’s time they revisit their focus.
Growing up, we’re all taught some very basic manners. One is to fight fairly. Whether it’s while you're competing in a sport, an argument, or yes, an election debate. The second, is if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
I understand the thought process behind wanting to point out everything wrong with your opponents, hoping that it will boost your numbers in the polls. At its core, all that is, is bullying.
Rather than seeing a well-fought, political election unfold, it’s like watching siblings bicker back and forth. With all the name-calling, the he said - she said, and running to mom and dad (or in this case, the electors) to tattletale.
After the election was called, candidates and parties had less than a month to convince us why they’re the right fit for the job - a job that will last the next four years. That limited time should be spent focusing on your own platforms, not wasting resources telling us what everyone else is doing wrong.
Let the electors think for themselves. Let them hear what every candidate has to say, and make a decision on what best fits into their principles.
Frankly, when I’m listening to a candidate speak, I don’t even want to hear another party’s or candidate’s name mentioned. Tell me about what you’re going to do to better the province, what you’re going to do for me as an Albertan. Tell me why you’re the best for the job.
The more attack ads and smear campaigns I see, the less likely I am to vote for you.
