Bill Welser is a resident of Felton.
This must be election season because, suddenly, there is a flood of political ads on TV — mostly negative! Only a few talk about their qualifications and successes (bravo to our older Delawareans’ positive political commercials). And this year’s buzz topic is “blue versus red” on data centers. I’m praying that Nov. 3 comes quickly!
Rather than focusing on key issues and their own qualifications, some candidates and political action committees attack the opposition and, even worse, make it an issue of political parties — pitting them against each other. Blue versus red: political racism!
Voting and supporting based on political party (blue or red) is dangerous and often can result in a lesser qualified person representing a party, rather than the constituents. Our country was founded on “for the people and by the people” and not “for the party and by the party.”
“Red signs” suggest firing an incumbent senator who serves honorably and has tremendous respect from his peers on both sides of the aisle. Plus, he brought much benefit to the residents of Delaware. Why try to make it look like “red versus blue”? Political racism!
A respected, good-deed incumbent who has improved many county bureaucratic processes is being opposed by a candidate who levels questionable criticism and advocates voting based on party affiliation. Political racism!
Our elected representatives are seated in chambers — by party! Maybe seating should be alphabetical, so political racism could be overcome by conversation, cooperation, the sharing of the best ideas and a “natural crossing of the aisle.” Countering racism requires opening one’s aperture to look beyond color (red versus blue) and accepting the best ideas from the most qualified — focusing on “for the people” and not “for the party”!
Or a career comparison: In a joint military establishment, each service has a different color uniform. But it takes the best skills of each service to be successful. Therefore, whether blue, green or red, we simply work together and want the best qualified to win!
“For the people and by the people” shouts out the need to pick the best qualified! Those who shout, “My party is better than your party,” are perpetuating political racism!
I am not naive or suggesting that party affiliation is all bad — we all like to be part of a group. But supporting or not supporting based on “party color” alone is not healthy! We need the most qualified representing “the people”!
Help strike down political racism by researching each candidate and voting on the most qualified person to represent and work for us! We will have better counties, states and a country if we have the “best” candidates representing “the people”!
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
