Voting for the wrong reasons

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Never taking politicians or myself too seriously, a quote from a famous Danish philosopher and physicist popped into that wizened little walnut that is housed in my cranium, while watching the eagerly anticipated and widely touted US Presidential Debate on September 10.

About 100 years ago, Niels Bohr said : “There are some things so serious that you have to laugh at them.” His words of wisdom certainly applied to the alley-cat behaviour of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump, both caterwauling back and forth during the 90 minutes together on the debate stage. Those undecided American voters who tuned in to learn about the policies of the candidates were sadly left wanting, as name-calling and mud-slinging was the order of the day. After showing a little nervousness early on, Harris seemed to slide into her former role as a prosecutor; with comments designed to needle Trump and get under his skin.

What followed brought out each other’s mean, rude, arrogant and vain personalities; polls will tell if it all had any effect on undecided voters. Immediately following the debate, political commentators were gushing over a message from Taylor Swift, pledging support for Harris. The superstar has long been a vocal Democratic supporter, but I guess she wants to keep hogging the spotlight. I have to confess that I’m not a ‘Swiftie’, and could not name even one of her chart-topping songs, but she appears on newscasts worldwide more regularly than any politician.

Rules for another debate

The possibility of another debate before November 5 elections is being discussed. In keeping with my love of political entertainment, here are suggestions for a few different ground rules should the debate materialise. First, to protect themselves and moderators from all the mud and other nasty stuff hurled at each other, both candidates should be dressed in oilskin slickers, sea-boots and sou’westers, with an onstage shower available. As with any stage presentation there will be costume changes, so when things get particularly hot and heavy, they would slip into a race suit, like those worn by F1 race-car drivers. Made of fireproof material, and bedecked with the logos of all the sponsors backing each candidate; of course, the suits would be red for Trump and blue for Harris.

The final change would be for each candidate to be in a Taylor Swift stage costume – the figure-hugging sequinned bodysuit, tall stiletto-heeled boots and no trousers. Now, that should really bring the house down, and guaranteed to send voters to the polls, for maybe all the wrong reasons.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada