Here in Nova Scotia we are approaching an election. This fall maybe? Who knows!
But attack ads are in full swing, at least by the NDP government currently in power. They are taking shots at the other leaders with “facts” about how they approach things like job creation and sustainable energy. Not to mention the attacks being thrown at newly minted leader of the Liberal party by the Conservatives at the federal level.
Given my healthy skepticism of anything one political party has to say about another, I don’t believe any of it. It’s another attempt to use fear to cause people to not vote for the other party in hopes that they’ll vote for their own. If one party can throw enough doubt into the minds of voters about the other potential premieres or prime minsters, then they think they’ve done their jobs.
Here’s what I see happening as a result… Record low voter turnout.
So how’s that working for you?
Here’s what I look for when voting. Pay attention because you don’t seem to be getting it…
What are you going to do?
Seriously, it’s that easy. Just tell me what you are going to do. I’m smart enough to compare it against the other person and decide for myself which I like better. And you know what? So is most of Canada.
So, some simple guidelines to follow, just in case you need it spelled out for you.
- Don’t go about trashing the other candidates
- Tell me what you are going to do
- Let me decide if your platform is strong enough
Do you need anything more than that? I don’t see anything else. This is all I look for, and so do a lot of other I talk to.
Notice how with negative attack ads increasing, voter turnout has dropped. It’s a concept called “cause and effect”. You talk trash, and people don’t care. Seems like a pretty solid connection to me. Americans use attack ads extensively, and their voter turnouts are abysmal. So keep it going if that’s what you want.
The ball is in your court. It’s a pretty simple lob at the net, try not and screw it up!