Editor, Times-Union:
I have been trying to gather information about local and state politicians running for offices through which we voters all hope they will make our lives better. So far no details — from anyone. For example, one candidate running for Indiana governor has obviously spent mega bucks for TV ads, but all I’ve learned is that he is a self-made gazillionaire, he endorses Trump and vice versa, and may have a problem with our constitutional right to publicly assemble and peacefully protest (depending, of course, on who is protesting and about what). I notice he has not said anything about his congressional voting record.
Another gubernatorial candidate has been featured in at least two very long articles in the Times-Union, and all I can interpret from his qualifications is that he is “passionate” about Indiana, is a “career problem solver” who wants to “grow our economy …. shrink government, and fix things like education…. support police and firefighters … deal with the mental health and childcare challenges that are in the state.” He plans to do all this and cut property taxes, too! Details, please? Once he achieves these goals maybe he can end world hunger and create world peace. Perhaps I have missed published interviews with other candidates seeking office, but I have a feeling I would still be asking for more details instead of tired, old political promises repeated in every election cycle.
If anyone wants me to vote for him/her, tell me exactly what you hope to accomplish, how you will do it, and how I will be affected by those “accomplishments.”
I am really curious to hear about specific plans local and state candidates may have to address the restricting of voting rights, the life-threatening problems facing women and girls regarding their reproductive rights, the lies told about our public schools’ devious plans to groom children, and their plans to curtail the corporate price gouging currently devouring the incomes of Indiana’s citizens. Are they going to kowtow to fringe groups who wish to ban more books from the schools and libraries? Are they going to force any particular religion into our schools, businesses, or government? Are they planning to take away any more of our freedoms? Will they ban the teaching of truth, and will they lower the restrictions of child labor laws even more?
Voters deserve to know how political candidates plan to tackle/solve the problems affecting their personal lives —the so-called kitchen table issues. General “pie-in-the-sky” promises mean nothing. Every candidate must be held to account and to explain their plans in detail. If that would happen (and I doubt it will), and if they answer honestly, we might discover that some of those details really do include the devil. Don’t be fooled by hollow promises; be smart; insist on details. Then vote!
Jeanne Tuka Schutz
Winona Lake, via email