"The purpose of a debate in the eyes of the public is really a matter of who can put on the best show for the public at large. It was never really about the difference of policies because the general public knows the differences regardless if a candidate states it a thousand times already in the debate. The meat and potatoes of the debate are the policies, points, counter-points, cross-examination and such but that isn’t the essence of a debate. It is how the candidates react to all of that which is going on. The policies discussed are mostly facts, observations and changes to the current policies in place in the Government and it is the orator’s job to present that information to the people in the best possible way, even if it means slandering the opposing candidate or telling white lies or exaggerations of the truth. This is what debates are when it comes down to it because all the candidates and parties are doing is presenting an idea that is “better” than the others and will prove to help improve the quality of life for some if not all Americans. The basis of this “better than you” notion is the facts, history, sources, and change that try to present a solution. This is what is expected in the debate and even more so in the campaigning before the debates and voting begins. The debate is the face to face forum where the two or three opposing candidates go head to head in a battle of words and will. The will is the candidates’ resolve and ability to defend their policies and also their ability to keep a cool head when under scrutiny and attack. The attacks are not only political but personal as well and that is where the public’s attention is focused on, not so much the facts but what the candidates can claim about each other and how they respond to that claim. This is the essence of a debate.

So is this type of political strategy effective or relevant? No, but the public’s response to it is significant. The ideas discussed aren’t anything new but how they are expressed is different. It is necessary for the public to see how the candidates operate and see them fight face to face. To the polls and people this is crucial in seeing will be representing you as president. The campaigning and stuff is less personal but these debates are personal and present a relationship with the candidates and the nation."

I wrote that for my American Government class in high school. Still this sentiment is still true today. In the true fashion of a moral, intelligent, and informed society a debate should be an articulation of the platform of the candidate in the shared goal of progress. However, the world is never idealized in any respect. The United States of America is not exception to the rule, in fact we were supposed to be the shining beacon of Democracy for the entire world. But like every ideal, or dream, reality supersedes all of the flowery language that guides us. How we see the world is in binary. Black or white. Good or bad. Winners or losers. Democrat or Republican. There is no room for anything else since that would be to inconvenient. It is in this logic that we have adopted where a debate can divulge from thought provoking arguments about how the world should work and how to get us there, into vague, sweeping statements that will wash all of our problems away.

When I look out at the political landscape, all I see are a sea of emotions that roll into a giant ball of jargon, soundbites, and hollow gestures. Still amid all of the posturing, and fluffing up like a peacock, political offices make a difference. So, I urge everyone, to ask more of yourself. Ask more of your elected officials. Ask more of your country and make the candidates step out of the binary thinking. Ask for solutions, many solutions to a problem rather than one "your party" might propose. This requires us as Americans, as the people of the nation to make the nation work for us. So yes, debates matter because what is talked about matters! So go out there and vote! For the presidential election and your local elections! If you don't like what you see, go ahead and speak to your officials to make your voice heard. Get involved with Democratic process! This is the best time to act...now.

So I know politics is a rough topic all around so here is a photo that I grabbed off of the internet that lifts my spirits. Enjoy.

Never ask this in a debate...