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To the Editor,
Concerning politics, clergymen are to restrain themselves from statements on politics and I have found it true in my own life. In my ministry, I have never spoken of my own positions, nor will I here. That said, I must evaluate the misdefined "debate," between the two candidates for president of the United States.
The people of the United States want desperately to hear what the plans of each are for the voters. "I'm going to give each new homebuyer a $25,000 benefit to purchase that home." Men and women, this is a means, not a goal, not a plan. A plan moves from where one is to where one wants to be. Asking a candidate for their plans means delineating steps: Step one, step two, step three, etc. First, might be "Where will this $25,000.00 come from?"
Another candidate tells us that in 10 months, the inflation will be cut in half and prices will follow." Again where do the funds come from? What income makes you eligible; and what will keep the prices at half-price once they are there?
On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump met for this so-called "debate." I spent a entire semester on Robert's Rules of Order, in college, then was elected the parliamentarian for Student Council. And there was absolutely nothing in Robert's Rules of Order which was anything like Tuesday night's debacle. At best, what we watched was an argument between two people who knew little about a presidential debate.
Therefore, first, it is wrong, very wrong, to call what we see as debates. What word might be used would be argument. Far from an adult engagement of facts, we were served a 90-minute collection of pride statements, ad hominem attacks and goals, but absent plans (this may have been the worst of political farce.)
Too late for debate, we much now look at a man and a woman with sarcastic facial expressions and looks of disbelief between two people. This is no ad hominem evaluation, but possibly we have a choice between two faces-in facie curiae.
The Rev. Jeffrey A. Mackey
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