2010 Elections - The Issue IS Trust

“Keep it simple, stupid.” That should be the mantra for the coming mid-term elections. What that means is the Democrat and Republican parties, including the Tea Parties, need to be straightforward with their critique of each other. No dramatic, slick rhetoric or campaign ads filled with exaggerated promises and extreme negative attacks. The voters are not in the mood. They want the simple truth so they an either agree or disagree with the candidate’s views.

This year’s mid-term elections offer the voters a clear choice…the party of yes, the Democrats, and the party of no, the Republicans. It is between believers in big government, a ‘progressive’ interpretation of the Constitution, more taxes for the wealthy, pro ObamaCare and more spending vs. small government, strict interpretation of the Constitution, tax cuts, repeal of ObamaCare and less spending. However, the leading issue on voters’ minds will be the economy and jobs and whom they can believe will get it right.

With Congress’s approval rating at the lowest since the 1970’s, we are witnessing the great loss of confidence in one of America’s most important Institutions. During July 8-11, 2010, the Gallup’s Confidence in Institutions poll found Congress’ confidence level ranking dead last out of 16 American institutions. According to this poll, the top four trustworthy institutions are: the military, small business, the police, and organized religions in that order, while the four least trusted are: organized labor, big business, HMO’s, and Congress, in descending order. (Link: www.gallup.com/poll/141512/congress-ranks-last-confidence-institutions.aspx).

Applying this poll to the elections will help to understand what is becoming apparent in the primaries and should play out in the up coming elections, not to mention the Presidential election in 2012. The incumbent candidates seeking re-election, or other public officials seeking new offices, have a huge handicap just by the nature that they are already in government positions. Judging from this poll, it seems that those candidates with a military background or who are owners of small businesses have a great advantage. They are the people the voters will believe to more likely to have integrity, honesty, dependability and successful business experience. With the election less than 3 months way, this will probably be the profile of most of our newly elected Senators and Representatives, Governors, and other public officials who will win in 2010. All ‘We The People’ can hope for is that the ‘stench of Congress’ will not rub off on them.