Dear friends of the “DOLLAR BILL BRIGADE” before delving into this article, I’d like to address a few matters. Recently, I celebrated my 91st birthday amidst the challenges of long COVID, a minor stroke, and increasing physical limitations. Despite these obstacles, I would like to suggest to you that the insights I share in my writings are available for you to use without citation for whatever purpose. It’s gratifying to know that critical thinking is an objective in the “dollarbillbrigade.com”. Your thoughts and observations are always welcome; drop me a line at eisner.gil@gmail.com with “BRIGADE” in the subject line. While I may not respond directly, I value your input. Now, let’s delve into the realm of candidate forums.
As the primary season wanes, we find ourselves attending candidate “meet and greets,” debates, and forums — the breeding ground for candidates’ rhetoric, the BS words they espouse until election day. Drawing from my experience with an AARP California political unit, I’ve found that a “meet the candidate” format can foster genuine, one-on-one connections. Picture a large dining area with numbered tables, each designated for a specific political office — House, Senate, Legislature, etc. Candidates rotate among these tables, engaging attendees in 8–10 minute Q&A sessions. This setup offers an authentic opportunity for intimate, direct dialogue.
Knowing the candidates is crucial; during campaigns, every candidate tells you what you want to hear. They paint doomsday scenarios, urging donations at every turn. Yet, what they often omit is their stance on critical issues — their real voting decisions. Therefore, it’s imperative to engage candidates in dialogues structured around specific policy questions, yielding clear “yes,” “no,” or no-vote responses. Here are some examples:
1. Should the national debt be increased to improve the country’s infrastructure?
2. Would you support the legalization of 11 million immigrants currently in the United States?
3. Do you approve of a public health option insurance program?
4. Do you support preserving social contract programs like Social Security and Medicare?
5. Would you vote to grant statehood to U.S. possessions?
6. Do you support updating the Judiciary Act of 1869?
7. Should education be tuition-free at publicly funded colleges and universities?
8. Would you vote to eliminate the Electoral College?
9. Are you in favor of a bipartisan immigration program?
10. Would you support establishing national standards for federal elections?
11. Would you ban vasectomies?
This approach empowers the voting public to have clarity and accountability from candidates and for the candidates to assess the priorities of their constituents. By focusing on concrete policy positions, we move beyond rhetoric, fostering decision-making. In this way, voters transcend political platitudes and demand accountability from candidates. After all, the future of our democracy hinges on honest candidates and an informed citizenry.
THE FUTURE BEGINS TODAY!!
Gil Eisner 4/15/2024 DOLLARBILLBRIGADE.COM
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