On Election Day, my seven-year-old son asked if I was going to vote for Chris Murphy. Not having spent much time talking about this particular race, I asked him, “How do you know about Chris Murphy?”
“From TV” he answered.
“Do you know who his opponent is?” I asked.
“Linda McMahon” he answered.
“What do you know about Chris Murphy?” I inquired.
“He’s not good” my son answered.
“Why not?” I asked.
“That’s what the commercial said”.
“And what do you know about Linda McMahon?”
“She’s not good either. But they both endorse the messages.”
I knew I had had it this election season with the negative ads, lack of real issues and the one billion dollars spent on nothing that could put to so many better uses. But this conversation brought even more clarity to the absurdity of the madness.
Campaign finance reform must become a reality. And, if not, at least the candidates should be shamed to put percentage of their funds towards real issues they care about. Surely a ten second ad by a candidate that says $1,000,000 raised by their campaign (or personally funded by themselves), is being put towards meals for the homeless, researching new energy sources, or education would be more informative and valuable to let us voters know what is really important to these aspiring public officials.
As educated, savvy voters how can we stand another campaign season filled with meaningless advertisements? Are we as smart as a first grader? If nothing changes by the next election ... surely we are not.
If you feel the way I do, please call and/or write the public officials who represent your interests. (Addresses and phone numbers are below. If you call you will also receive direction where to email your opinions). Let them know you will not tolerate another election season overshadowed by frivolous spending and empty messages. Enough is enough!
Joseph I. Lieberman (I-D)U.S. SenateOne Constitution Plaza, 7th Floor,
Hartford, CT 06103
800.225.5605; 860.549.8463
866.317.2242 (F)http://www.lieberman.senate.govRichard Blumenthal (D)U.S. SenateG55 Dirksen Senate Office Building,
Washington DC, 20510
202.224.2823
http://blumenthal.senate.govJohn B. Larson (D-1)U.S. House of Representatives221 Main St., 2nd Floor,
Hartford, CT 06106
860.278.8888
860.278.2111 (F)http://www.larson.house.govJoseph Courtney (D-2)U.S. House of Representatives101 Water St., Suite 301,
Norwich, CT 06360
860.886.0139
860.886.2974 (F)
http://www.courtney.house.govRosa DeLauro (D-3)U.S. House of Representatives59 Elm St.,
New Haven, CT 06510
203.562.3718, 860.344.1159
203.772.2260 (F)
http://www.delauro.house.govJim Himes (D-4)U.S. House of Representatives888 Washington Blvd., 10th Floor,
Stamford, CT 06901
866.453.0028
203.333.6655 (F)
http://www.himes.house.govChristopher Murphy (D-5)District 5: U.S. House of Representatives1 Grove St., Suite 225,
New Britain, CT 06053
860.223.8412
860.827.9009 (F)
