Platforms
Whatever happened to “political platforms?”
I’m old enough to remember when they were paid attention to and gave the voters an idea of what the different parties stood for and believed. This was important because at one time elections were more concerned with (party) goals and philosophies and the idea was to nominate the candidate most likely to guide the party to achieving those goals. Seems to me our country has switched from platforms and who (it was felt) would be the best representative toward those ideals, to a system in favor of candidates who all seem to have their own ideas of what their party stands for — and vary widely between themselves as well as the mass of the voters they are appealing to. Moreover, they have a tendency to lie through their teeth when they say “If elected, I will do this!” when they do not have the power to do so without a lot of help from other government figures.
What I would like to have happen is that each national party would prepare a “platform” outlining what it stands for before the first primary election In this way the electorate could evaluate each party’s positions and try to select the candidate felt to be the best to carry out those positions. I do think that candidates should stay objective, keep to how they would attempt to fulfill the party’s desires, and not allow their emotions, prejudicial views, or religious values get in the way of good, effective government.
Guff Worth, Lakeport
Points of interests
Would it be a good idea to have our local leadership press our state representatives to designate the drive on Highway 20 from the Y to Nice as a Scenic route with both signage and printed on maps of the area. Another issue is the fact that 21 crowns on the historical rock wall need to be fixed and not allowed to go down hill any further. Lastly, would it be possible to have our or state road crews cut down the dead trees along the lake shore line to offer a better view of the beauty of the lake in general?
Jim Hall, Clearlake Oaks
