Today we vote. Just how informed a voter are you really? I admit to not being very well informed when it comes to the big picture. I believe I’m like the vast majority of voters, only informed and concerned on the issue that interests me. It’s unfortunate but the truth is I’m being told what to be interested in. That’s the sole purpose of those campaign advertisements.

In Maryland the hot topic is Gerrymandering. It’s question three on the ballot. I will be voting no on that particular question. That decision has nothing to do with party affiliation, for me, it’s just a matter of common sense. Allow that and the congressional maps will be in a state of constant flux. It will create instability and God knows we have enough of that in government as it is.

I listen to the candidates telling me what they are going to do for me. All the promises, the plans for a better future. Seldom have I heard any politician ask me what I want. No, just telling me what they believe I want to hear. Salesmen, that’s what they are and the product they are selling is what? A promise for the future. The product description is what is being advertised in those political campaign messages. Basically, you are going to get what you want. That’s the promise.

As outrageous a statement as it was, Nancy Pelosi did tell the truth of it, we have to pass the bill to know what is in it. What was she saying? No one has really read the entire thing; no one really knows what is in it and the effect it will have. Laws only get enforced when it is to the benefit of someone. Once passed, that bit of legislation, whether law, code, statute or whatever will then be scrutinized to see what advantage it may provide.

So today when you cast that ballot for the candidate of your choice keep that in mind. What promises has that candidate made and who stands to benefit from it. Like those bills in congress, they average 18 pages in length, what do they really say? Has that candidate ever asked you what you wanted? Have you really had an opportunity to speak to that candidate?

Other than local elections I suspect you have not. I can say for certain I have not personally met my representatives. All I have to go on is what they say in their campaign messages and there appearances on television. Politicians above the county level are generally difficult to engage with in person. Somewhat like celebrities they are shielded from the general public.

I just have to take their word for it. Well, in all fairness that would still be the case even if I lived next door to that candidate. The difference would be that I would have much more to go on. I’m just saying this: how accurate is your Facebook profile? When telling others about you do you include anything you feel might be, shall we shall, undesirable? A politician is selling themself. Today you decide if you want to buy that product.