Listening to CNN pundits discuss John McCain's deceitful approach in using the term secret timeline' while explaining his and Mitt Romney's approach to the War in Iraq really shined a light on a major challenge voters face. It was clear in listening to the context of Romney's comments McCain based his statement on that Romney had no secret timeline, McCain was taking completely out of context the comments of an opponent. Shock, right? The Clinton Gang really took out of context Obama's comments on Reagan and the Republicans. It is common for the two-parties to participate in this practice.

The difference was listening to the media talking heads calling this exactly what it is, deceitful. If the political campaign were treated like an advertisement for a product for consumers candidates would be forced from the airwaves with many of their assertions, assumptions, and accusations; the triple A of politics. As consumers we don't like to be deceived while shopping. Salesmen in many industries have a terrible reputation in most people's perception. There is a constant guard against deception when we are consumers. Politicians don't exactly have a stellar perception in people's minds either but is it easier to be deceived by politicians than it is by a salesman? Based on the way many voters are easily swayed through Soundbites and based on the large amount of false information and out right deceit spewing from most political camps I would have to say as voters we are more likely to vote a bad political representative than we are to make a really bad purchase.

Even if we do make a bad purchase there are many avenues available to recover from the mistake. We can return he product for a refund or exchange, we can bring suit against a manufacturer, and we can pursue other available consumer protection routes. In politics if we make a bad decision we are forced to deal with the dangerous consequences for two, four, or six years with little recourse.

If politicians like McCain or Clinton deceive us are we more likely to believe them? This is an answer that is changing today. The change isn't happening fast enough but more voters each election cycle are taking their votes more seriously. A citizen lucky enough to have the right to cast their vote should protect their vote as carefully as they would protect their life's investment or hard earned money prior to making a purchase. A voter should spend more time researching the candidates than they would a TV, vacation, or home purchase. Information is available to help us determine if the words a politician speaks our true, reminiscent of the truth, or purely deceitful when we take the time to research their words.

One way to research their words is by looking deeply into the resources available on the Internet. It takes less time today then at any other time in history. Listen to their words and take note of what is said. If you find yourself leaning toward supporting a candidate and you've not heard or study anything beyond commercials, televised debates, or news commentary you know you've not done your due diligence in vetting the candidate. Don't make a bad purchase based on deceit, don't cast your vote until you really believe and soon perhaps politicians will get the message. They may try and deceive but voters no longer will simply blindly believe.

Here's a fairly unbiased, well sourced website to get you started. Click on the candidate's picture for many details and then follow the links along each issue. You can ignore the Yes/No comments and simply dig into the links. Here's to casting well-educated vote!

Know Before You Vote!

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2008 by Gary Wood
- Permission to copy with attribution granted.