THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170007
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
``(I)f decent people refuse to vote in sleazy elections, that just means we'll wind up being governed by sleazy people elected by sleazy people'' (``Reject dirty politics,'' editorial, Nov. 6).
While politics always has had its shadier side, the recent campaign in Virginia showed a willingness to step ever lower. Regardless of party affiliation, no fabrication, rumor or innuendo was too baseless to avoid hurling at one's opponent. The editorial is correct when it further states voters ``must go to the polls and then refuse to reward demagogues with their votes.'' Easy said, but not so easily done.
In my district, both candidates were equally guilty. Maybe we need a ``none of the above'' block. If checked by a majority of the voters, the office goes unfilled until a special election is held - in which no candidate from the first election is allowed to run.
I consider myself a reasonably informed voter; I try to stay up with the issues, the candidates and their positions. I am enough of an optimist to believe that there are many competent, principled individuals in politics who are working to bring about a better society for all of us. Some wear a liberal suit, and some a conservative one.
Many even have the conscience to do what is right, even when it is contrary to the party apparatchiks or big campaign contributors' interests. Unfortunately, it is getting ever harder to spot this type of individual through the barrage of rhetoric, mudslinging and party dogma.
For the next election, instead of generalities and insults, I want candidates to give me their honest assessment of where we are, where we need to go and, if elected, what they envision their role to be.
It's just a shame to see the level to which Virginia politics is sinking.
BRUCE DREES
Virginia Beach, Nov. 14, 1995 by CNB