The local and national elections for 2016 are shaping up to be one for the record books in terms of who is running for some kind of public office. If you think that things are interesting now with some of the non-politicians leading in the early polls… just wait, there is more to come…for there will be more people filing their papers and paying filing fees soon.
Of course main stream media has already taking their stand on candidates of the two major parties (Dems and GOP) whom they feel have the potential to reach the highest office in the nation. Each of these candidates have been given the media space to share their views, to participate in debates on national television, and to promotion their message on radio and through social media. Additionally, main stream media continues to spend considerable time, resources and assign people to make sure that the top candidates are being covered at all times… and they call that… “being on the campaign trail.” In addition, they have posted the results of early polls of likely voters by states and from national surveys. It is truly remarkable to see how this political process begins and unfolds as time goes on during each major election cycle. Of course we must account for those candidates that drop out along the way for one reason or another.
On the other hand, main stream media does not give “third party” candidates little to any attention at all. They are not considered to be major players in how things are done or “go down” in Washington, DC these days. Just like the two major parties, the dozen or so “third parties” do have political platforms and do offer up candidates, but struggle to get their message out due to limited access to funding and wide spread voter support. However, these “third parties” do exist and include the America’s, American Freedom, Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Objectivist, Socialism and Liberation, Peace and Freedom, Prohibition, Reform, Socialist, and Veterans parties. And if we add in the other political parties that have not selected their candidates and “yes” all those (100 or so) independent and write-in candidates, it will be something to behold in some states of who is on the ballot for President.
But in reality, people tend to vote first on issues and for people on the local level, “where the rubber meets the road” and “where pocketbooks are being affected.” Even at the local level in the city of Milwaukee as well as in the county, the list of potential candidates for various offices continues to grow. This upcoming and ongoing political season will be one that will seemingly amaze us all as it begins to unfold and as we try to find out who has the “best message” as we try to address the mountain of issues that are now affecting our community. It’s going to be a wild ride for sure and getting out the vote will be another… just remember to wear your party hat. What do you think?
Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@ gmail.com, and Facebook. You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-688-4964. The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or NCON Communication, its staff or management. “Rebuilding Our Community” is a weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
