Bill OBoyle: Be an informed voter
Oct. 30—WILKES-BARRE — Elections are always about choices — the task for voters is how to gather enough accurate information about the candidates to make those choices easier.
The Times Leader provided that accurate information for voters in our Sunday editions and all of that information is available online for voters to access and read more than one week from election day.
In the two local races for Congress, two state Senate races and five contested state House races, the candidates were asked six questions and they provided their answers. All voters have to do is read those stories and learn about each of the candidates and then make a decision on who to vote for on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Ahhh, but if it were only that easy.
Many of you will be watching TV over the next week and all your favorite shows will be laced with political advertisements. Most of these are about one candidate telling us why we shouldn't vote for his or her opponent. Not much is devoted to telling us why we should vote for the candidate on our TV screen.
It seems in 2022, that issues really aren't driving the bus to Harrisburg or Washington D.C. It's political party and control that are the main objectives. A candidate's views on issues, such as the economy, really don't matter. Each political party's main objective is retaining or regaining control of state legislatures and Congress.
That being said, many voters have already cast their ballots via early voting. So those who have yet to go to the polls can still make an informed decision — if they take the time to read those stories with the candidates' views clearly stated.
Pennsylvania again finds itself at the center of the political world. Voters here will elect a new governor and a U.S. Senator — the latter race could loom large in which political party controls the Senate.
And all those State House races and Senate races are important as well — in addition to seeing which political party controls the Legislature, it also gives the world a glimpse of where voters are after almost two years of the Biden Administration and where we are headed for 2024.
What I am trying to say here is that voters need to vote, first of all, and they also need to be informed when they walk into their polling place or fill out those mail-in ballots. We all need to do our part to assure our votes not only count, but that they are cast based on information that is not derived from a paid political advertisement.
Your vote really does matter. So don't allow it to be manipulated by anyone or anything other than your thought process. There are good candidates out there. And, as always, there are not so good candidates out there. The point is we can't vote for a candidate simply because of their political party affiliation.
This might be difficult for some of you to grasp, but there are good candidates who are Republican, Democrat and/or Independent. I kid you not.
And as I've said before, one political party can't be correct all the time. Sometimes a Republican might have a good idea and there are also times that a Democrat could as well. Anytime an issue arises that can benefit all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, it should be discussed. Spirited debate is always welcome — weigh the pros and cons. It's a healthy system when used appropriately.
And if there is disagreement, talk about it without spewing venom and insults and outright falsehoods. We need clear thinking elected officials who will always put what's best for constituents above what political bosses want.
So take this week and do your homework. Read those stories about each candidate — read what the candidates say about key issues.
When those political ads come on your TV, switch channels quickly.
Don't let anybody tell you how to vote — voting is your right and privilege.
Just take the time to make sure you are voting for the candidate you feel brings the most to the table.
Good luck.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
