Blame the People

CNN, The Economist and other news have had several shows featuring all the presidential candidates. Frankly, I had never followed the debates too much as I couldn’t vote. Last year, I became a citizen of the United States, just in time to participate on the 2016 presidential elections. However, I am filled with disappointment after seeing the candidates’ debate. A debate is supposed to show different perspectives on an issue. Having different opinions is not bad—on the contrary, it shows that there are different points of view for the current and past problems that we face today. What saddened me, was witnessing how disrespectful and untactful, candidates were towards one another. I observed presidential candidate Donald Trump yelling and screaming about his plans to fix America. Another candidate, Marco Rubio, lowered himself to Trumps level by yelling back and insulting back. 

Republican Candidates speaking at the same time and not putting enough time to listen to one another.

 The whole ordeal reminded me of a 5^th graders yelling match. Is this what America wants? Is this what we want for our future? Who is it to blame? Though we can’t control what the candidates will say, or how loud they will scream, we are to blame for allowing this to happen. Political debates this year are just a comedy show--these debates have lost substance. Politicians used to be prepared with ideas, data, and plans to execute their ideas. Candidate’s weapons now seem to be gossip and insults. Whether or not candidates will follow through their promises is another matter. The time that candidates spend on the podium should be informative, encourage new ideas, and respect different set of values and opinions. The candidates on our shows have the light spot, but we control the lights. We are the reporters, we are the viewers, we are the majority and we must set high standards on what we accept to be shown on presidential debates.

Democratic side of the table. All candidates seem to be worried about themselves and not really attentive to paying attention to the others' ideas.

As an American, we could accept the blame for the quality of current debates. However, we could also accept responsibility and take part in making our debates better. Three basic strategies are proposed. The first is to set up basic rules of respect while the candidates are in a debate. If someone is talking, the other candidate must listen. Listening to one another does not mean agreeing. Respectfully disagreeing is an option. Secondly, yelling is not allowed. Being passionate is encouraged, but yelling and pointing fingers is not. Thirdly, the candidates must speak about ideas. New ideas are encouraged. Each candidate has an allotted time to discuss their ideas. These rules may be obvious, but overlooked and thus must be communicated for us to set expectations and allowing the candidates to meet those. If candidates decided to ignore these rules then they could be “disqualified” and be escorted out of the event, muted on tv, or “x’ed” out.

Candidates that don't follow the rules set forward are "x'ed" out.

In November 2016, when we go out and vote, let’s be proud to know that we are to blame for demanding respect, let us be blamed for demanding debates with substance and thought provoking ideas. Let’s be proud to know that we made our choice based on who gained our trust and portrayed the best path for America. Knowing whether the chosen candidate will follow through is out of our hands—but voting, and making the best educated decision based on respectful debates is up to us. Take a stand for respect. We deserve better than violence, ridicule and a comedy show to decide our future. Let us be the ones blamed for working hard and for setting high expectations on who represents us and leads our country to success.

Choosing respect above all else.