Another election, more nasty attacks

THE TWO-century-old democracy experiment in our country is threatened now more than ever. Partisan election campaign bias, and actions by political candidates and parties defy compromise, consensus and a focus on the common good.

Political parties’, party leaders’ and candidates’ objectives are being elected and having control. In pursuit of these goals, the … advertisements for the primary and general elections are nasty.

Left and right candidates in primaries seek to portray opponents as party weaklings by providing examples of their opponent reaching across the aisle to address critical issues confronting our state by working with the other side.

Isn’t that how a democracy is supposed to function?

Shouldn’t the common good for all outweigh any strict party lines? Ad wording and photos portray an opponent as a traitor for collaborating with … the opposing party. The elected official is supposed to represent all constituents, not just those of his/her political party!

A fitting example of such claims are the primary ads of two Republican gubernatorial candidates lambasting each other for not following the party line strictly. When elected, a governor should administer in a manner beneficial to all citizens of the state, not just those of his/ her political party.

It would be ideal if every candidate focused on his/her platform and intentions instead of railing about the bipartisan actions of an opponent.

Every election year appears to be open season for candidates to attempt more character assassinations of opponents. The fragmentation of the electorate is a sad consequence.

It is also unjustifiable for a candidate to make impossible claims about actions to be taken … . It takes legislative action and approval for most objectives to be achieved. Candidates make their intentions sound like done deals. WALT PUNKE

Albuquerque