The Ramble: Results from the partisan shell game

The results are in… While we here at the Ramblings are not normally into the nuts and bolts of politics, we figured it would only be fair to provide links to some of the coverage of last night’s local debate.

Wade on Birmingham – provided live blogging coverage

Red State Diaries – commentary about the debate

Politics in Alabama – Preview and live blogging coverage

• Gubernatorial Debate
• Lt. Governor Debate
• Atty General Debate

and for good measure, a link to Loretta Nall’s site where she plans to post answers to the questions for the governor’s race since she was not invited to participate in the debate. The link takes you to the post promising answers. We’ll see what happens today.

BTW: For those that missed the debates, they will air on APTV this Sunday beginning at 2 p.m.

There are several things that still bother me about politics in this state, which is probably why I don’t write posts about it that often. Most notably, we are extremely apathetic when it comes to actually voting. We will go out and talk about how conservative or liberal our candidate is and bad mouth the other person; then we don’t bother to exercise our right to vote and follow through on our convictions. The people who write blogs and make comments, while partisan, are at least taking part in the process.

This year’s elections have provided more reasons to not get involved in the process, at least at first glance. To only have one debate compared to three or four and to have that debate in Montgomery only gave more reason to not care about it. There was no opportunity to have the candidates go into several parts of our state, whether they be in the Black Belt, Huntsville, Mobile or the Magic City, and address the issues that are important and critical to residents in these areas.

The political process is supposed to be about empowering the people. It has not been for some time, and the rhetoric and resulting exclusion of certain areas from being able to actively & vigorously question those that want to serve their state makes it more difficult than ever to heal the rift being caused by partisan catch phrases and sticking so close to the party message that people forget that they are representing other people.

Voters should demand that the candidates come in the future and provide any answers that are needed. The Internet and talk radio are accessible to some, but it is not for most. It is also very difficult to face a constituency and defend your plans and hopes for the state, or your region as the case will be next year in many areas.

For many the issue is the lesser of two evils instead of the best person for the job. Maybe if we stepped away from personal attacks long enough to actually talk about issues (and I mean real in depth discussion of issues, not sound bites), we may actually feel comfortable as a state about the winners, instead of going into your neutral corners preparing to whine and put a spin on why “my candidate” did not win and why nothing “that other candidate” wants to do will pass, at least not on our watch. All those that say that progress and change is your goal, make sure the rhetoric doesn’t keep you from your goals.

Let’s hear what you think about it. At least before you run out and get tons of candy.

Enjoy the day.

Cheers.