Politicians

     

Wikipedia Photo:
Christine O'Donell

In some cases, power corrupts. In other cases, power is corrupted by the crazy and stupid. This election season in the U.S. may be marked by the disappointing amount of fringe candidates present in the public arena. These candidates are preying on fear and anger, the staples of any dictator or mass murderer. I would suggest that discerning the difference between a fringe candidate and a candidate who promotes the public good is not rocket science.

A candidate who decries universal health care is a fringe candidate. Universal health care is essential for a healthy nation. A candidate who decries basic social security is a fringe candidate. Social security mechanisms put us in line with other industrialized nations with political stability. A candidate who decries government itself is clearly a lunatic. If a candidate decries government, he/she should not be competing for a government job.