The political changes patriotism didn't bring

Mpls (red)Star Tribune(online) / The Christian Science Monitor ^ | 10/21/02 | RICHARD C. HARWOOD

[Valin]

WASHINGTON It's time to say it again. The patriotic fervor in the days following Sept. 11 has been reduced to a murmur. Its promise for a new day in media coverage, politics, and civic responsibility has brought almost nothing. But it isn't too late. There is hard work to do if we choose not to squander the feelings of community activism. But there are no quick fixes. Actions must go deeper, and be more lasting. At the core of the issue is conduct in politics - what is said and done in political life matters, especially as the country approaches the November midterm elections.

[dighton]

Treacle Well bump.

[Valin]

Thanks for the link.
More than five years of Harwood Institute research and conversations with the American people have shown that, despite pessimism about the current system and an historical mistrust of government, the public consistently voices a number of key aspirations for how politics should be conducted. These aspirations are not only for the conduct of political leaders, but for the news media and our fellow citizens as well.

Americans say they want from Political Leaders:


Tell us who you are. Political leaders should tell us what inspires them to seek office, what their values are, who supports them and why, and about their past.

Know us. Political leaders should genuinely know how all people in their community live, and the challenges the community faces. Show a deep understanding of people and their concerns.

Explain where you stand. Political leaders should offer a vision for what they want to achieve and why - without overblown promises - and put the tough issues and trade-offs on the table.

Be forthright. Political leaders should tell us what they're about from the start and take on questions and challenges in direct, honest, straightforward ways.

Set the right tone. Political leaders should pursue a tone that is aggressive and respectful, not mean-spirited and negative.

Americans say they want from the News Media:


Give us the whole story. News media should help us piece together what is happening, why and how it all connects, keeping news separate from opinion and entertainment.

Really cover the candidates. News media should provide us with a full sense of political leaders' track records, their stands on issues, their character, and the bad and good in their past.

Treat all candidates fairly. News media should cover all candidates throughout the course of the election, and not crown early victors.

Hold political leaders accountable. News media should get political leaders to answer tough questions and give the why's and how's behind their answers, and help us see what they do and don't say.

Don't be negative or sensational. News media should pursue aggressive news coverage that helps us understand political leaders, but is not biased, sensational or negative.

Know us. News media should produce news stories that reflect a deep understanding of the community, its different perspectives, and how issues relate to our lives.

Americans say they want from their fellow Citizens:


Make informed judgments. Citizens should take responsibility for using a variety of information sources, pay attention to politics and public life, and make independent judgments.

Be reasonable. People should hold reasonable expectations for what political leaders can do, and give leaders room to explain themselves and their views.

Hold political leaders accountable. Citizens should work to get political leaders to focus on issues of concern, keep track of what they say, and know their voting records. Make our voices heard when leaders fail to respond, and applaud those who do.

Hold news media accountable. Citizens should determine if political coverage is informative and helpful, and tell the media when it isn't, when it is, and what we're looking for.

Voting. People should vote and actively encourage others to vote, long before election day.

Take a stand. Citizens should step up and set the tone for politics - for instance, talk with each other about important issues; join a group to change things; actively support candidates; get others involved.

[KC_Conspirator]

Overall, I think the first post-911 election is quite tame when compared to previous years, especially during the Klinton era, when dividing America was usual plan. Sure, we will see the venal democrats lash out in the last couple weeks, but I think that 96', 98', and especially 2000 were much worse than this year.

[ffrancone]

IN 14 DAYS, THEY'LL BE VOTING DEMOCRAT

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[Zon]

Our politics have returned to being acrimonious and shallow, which cheapens public life and makes a farce out of the issues people care so deeply about. No amount of consumerism, flag waving, television extravaganzas, or even volunteerism will fundamentally improve politics in this nation.

Well, duh! Politics suck out objectivity and insert irrationality in. Voting for the lesser of evils still still begets evil. Politics is not the solution, it's the damn problem. More to the point, mysticism and it's "offspring", irrationality, dishonesty and criminality are the problem. That politics is besieged by those is evidence of the imminent collapse of mysticism. Honesty outlives the lie. It always has and always will.