Sestak & Toomey Election 2010 Attack Ads Tiring: Vote Independent Instead

Here we go again with the dueling attack ads. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Joe Sestak (D-PA) have released their newest campaign 2010 advertisements and they are appearing on networks everywhere. The problem is that both of the ads attack the other candidate, instead of profiling anything positive about the candidate the ads are promoting. While this has become the mainstream thing to do, especially considering we are so close to the midterm elections, it gets a little tiring, to say the least.

Can't We All Just Get Along?
I suppose more to the point of things; can't the candidates speak about themselves and the "good" they do instead of attacking other candidates? Personally, I am tired of hearing about all of the political scandal. Yes, it is a part of politics, but it is not the only part. There is much more to Pennsylvania and Philadelphia politics than attacking the other candidate just to gain the voters' attention for all of two seconds. For this reason, I propose a change in the voters' way of thinking.

I am truly starting to believe that with all the fuss the political candidates are making over the bailout votes, candidates' religions and what have you, that the way to political greatness is not what a candidate can accomplish in the seat of power, but who they can make look bad instead of themselves. This about this... the majority of the senate voted "yes" on the bailouts, not just Sestak-otherwise it would not have passed.

Why is Toomey constructing the attack ads highlighting these specific Sestak votes anyway? Toomey's history speaks for itself-Toomey publicly supported the same bailout, so where does he have room to attack others? How can we, the Philadelphian and Pennsylvanian voting community, stop the attacks and show the candidates that it is simply not the right thing to do? Don't vote for them, period.

Vote Independent

That is what I am leaning towards. As I have said in earlier pieces, I typically vote straight Democratic in the polls. Push one button and I am done. This time around, I am not so sure, though. Since the attack ads against Christine O'Donnell (R-DE) were released and Sestak and Toomey openly criticizing her and what she stands for-as did many of the media and other candidates-I am not sure if I will be pushing that Democratic ticket button this time. Not that I am leaning towards Republican either, as it will probably take many years for that. However, this leaves two choices; stay home or vote independent.

Historically, voters will vote Democratic or Republican instead of Independent because voting Independent means that voter's vote does not count-Independents almost never win. Nevertheless, I am starting to think that the only way we as Philadelphia residents can get out point across that we want things to change is by doing something different, since there is not a person in the world who can continue doing the same things repeatedly expecting to see different results. It simply cannot happen.

That said, I wish all the luck to Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey, but if Philadelphia wants to make a difference, then they should vote Independent, I think I will since I cannot in good faith stay home and not vote simply to let whoever take over Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. I think I may vote Independent, as should any Philadelphian voter who is as sick of the attacks as I am.

Laura Vecsey, "Toomey, Sestak Release Dueling Attack Ads," Penn Live