Monday, November 1, 2010

Trick or Trust on Election Day

We had tombstones in our front yard last night.  My 11 year old son, John, and I made them.  The hard part was coming up with names for the departed that were just the right mix of silly and creepy.   Al B. Back.  Justin Peeses.  I don’t think we scared anyone (hope not) and it is fun to pretend, decorate the house and have a block party.

Kids and a surprising number of adults in our area like to dress up as someone they want to be or someTHING that will get a reaction.  If you didn’t dress up last night, you remember the feeling.  It is exciting to try on a different identity.  It is a way we connect with each other and share our inner thoughts, hopeful or provocative.  Last night there were lots of Giants ball players, including John, and the classic assortment of princesses, super heroes and walking dead.

Halloween is perhaps the easiest and most social of holidays as there are no religious, cultural or familial barriers.  Opt in, try a fun identity, give gifts and greet the neighbors.  It is all good.

The real “fright night” is tomorrow, Election Day.  The scare tactics, misrepresentation and vilification of opponents are truly frightening and polarizing.  It really is the antithesis of Halloween.

I know the theory behind negative advertising is that comparisons are helpful since candidates are unlikely to feature their own shortcomings and that airing both the pros and cons leads to better decision-making.   That may work if the information is objective and honest within societal norms.  We’re not naïve to a little exaggeration or spin.

However, most political ads are so ridiculous that they are useless.  Candidates accusing each other of being irresponsible, corrupt and unethical are all of the above.

No wonder voter turnout is so low and disapproval ratings of our elected officials are so high, currently greater than 70%.  The issue is trust.

In our world, the highest accolade one can attain is that of the “trusted advisor”. One who speaks with wisdom.  One who speaks the truth when it is hard.  One who is reliable.  One who admits when he doesn’t know or is wrong.  One who can put the best interests of his clients ahead of his own.   One who can bring opposing sides together by finding common ground and a win-win solution. 

The status of the trusted advisor is difficult to attain and easy to lose.  If you violate your clients’ trust, your trusted advisor status may be unrecoverable or is certainly more difficult to secure.

Sadly, most politicians don’t appear to understand this.  The relentless negative ads create a lasting impression of corruption and dishonesty which cannot simply be put away until next year like the Halloween tombstones John and I made.

Trick or Trust?  We need to demand the latter.

No comments:

Post a Comment