Are campaigns just political propaganda? | Letters to the editor: Nov. 9, 2022
How to reduce political ads
OpenSecrets estimates the cost of the 2022 midterm elections to exceed $9.3 billion. We need to stop this crazy spending and inundation of “in your face” ads.
I propose that we limit all campaigns to 90 days prior to election day. Outside of that window, no candidate, PAC, political party, organization or group would be allowed to campaign for an office, measure or proposition in any manner – fliers, banners, signs, rallies, speeches, motorcades, parades, radio, TV or internet. Severe fines would be levied and collected immediately for each infraction. Repeated ads is one of the major turnoffs for voters.
Nancy Weiford, Modesto
Beware the propaganda
I cannot track how many times I’ve thanked my 1961 eighth-grade social studies instructor, particularly at election time. He taught critical thinking: When you hear emotional words and phrasing in ads, be aware of propaganda triggering fear, not using facts or substance.
Example: Kevin Kiley’s ads using the fear of Nancy Pelosi or “defunding police.” In case you haven’t noticed, not one politician has mentioned defunding police, but investing more monies into training. It’s a catch phrase used to install fear — propaganda — used repeatedly to influence, and is unfounded. As for scare tactics using Nancy Pelosi, I wonder if it’s fear of an intelligent, powerful woman; that says much more about the candidate than he realizes.
I find those techniques to be insulting. If someone has a valid reason for me to vote for them, be honest, present your point of view, what you propose to do and explain why I should give you my vote. If those other methods are used, I know there’s no reason to vote for them.
Janie Meily, Modesto
Down with the GOP
This election could be the beginning of the end of democracy in this country. There are candidates who are 2020 election deniers who if elected will have control of counting and certifying votes. Some are hypocritical Evangelical Christians, science deniers and misinformed people. You know some of these people. They refused COVID-19 vaccinations for themselves and their children.
They want to ban books at schools and libraries. They are against immigrants and people of color. They are against a woman’s right to control her own health care concerning her body. They prefer that a male politician with no medical knowledge decide what is good for women. Their ignorance is unbelievable.
Do you know the difference between a democracy and autocracy, or dictatorship? The Republican party has been hijacked by Trump followers and does not stand for the values of the original party. They do favor the wealthy and do nothing for 95% of the others.
Stephen Cestaro, Escalon
Empty suit in White House
I’ve figured out what is wrong with Joe Biden. It isn’t him! I was watching the old movie “Dave” about a presidential lookalike who was put in to replace an incapacitated one. It just dawned on me — the president isn’t Joe. It is a dummy, no slur intended — someone who looks like Joe but will do whatever those running him tell him to do or say. The White House staff is really running the country. I’ve got to give those Dems credit for a darn clever plan. They should have banned that movie, though, so people wouldn’t figure it out.
Tom Simms, Hughson
An amoral right turn
The election has more significance for our country than probably ever before. Due to numerous media platforms with unscrupulous users, lies and conspiracy peddling are rife and have ensnared many. It all burgeoned with the damaged psyche of Mr. Trump, whose unloving father taught him he must win at all costs, generally at the expense of others. This amoral thinking has now infected the Republican Party. Democratic candidates and party may not have every right answer, but, like Joe Biden, they have decency, honesty and a desire to serve.
Diana Doll, Modesto