Debate Watching As Reality Entertainment

I did not watch the debate last night. I advocate civil engagement - I believe it is part of being an informed citizen. How, then, could I possibly justify not watching a presidential debate last night?

1. I have read position papers. Each candidate releases a set of papers on important issues, their positions on vital things like national security, the state of defense and education, you get the idea. These papers are, occasionally, dense in wording, but they are available for public consumption.

2. I have reviewed voting records. I don't just mean the candidates themselves. I also researched the voting in the states from which they originated their public service, seeing how much of their voting public disagreed with their basic precepts. It was important to me how they dealt with a group of 10% or more disagreeing with them, and if the interests of those were taking to heart.

3. I did a side-by-side budget analysis. As best as one can, checking priorities in budget choices and their direct, specific impact. It was a challenge, as the Republican choices are... vague... in some cases, but very worthwhile.

4. There was absolutely no substantive, categorically altering change that occurred during any Presidential Debate, ever. As astounding as it sounds, Al Gore never rushed to Bill Clinton's side and said, "You will NEVER BELIEVE what Dan Quayle said to me! We have to rethink everything!" Nixon rethought survailance patterns, never policy, after arguing on national television. The point of these debates is to sway the Popularity Vote of the undecided. As I am not undecided, and as I am not unsure of what both candidates advocate, these debates are not intended for me and I choose to treat them as such.

While the debate was going on, I attended to my home. The pressing concerns of my personal life required my attention, as well as helping people I care about with equally important parts of their world. I would urge you to read what the candidates are actually proposing to do, for yourself, and figure out what it means to you personally.

I cannot advocate watching a debate merely to immediately announce my preferred candidate a winner, regardless of content or behavior. I have increasingly found the evisceration of both parties by the faithful of the opposing to be disappointing. There is nothing worth celebrating when a victory is to be had at the cost of one's personal dignity and commitment to empathy towards others.

Amusingly enough, I also find that this is the behavior which rewards the partisan, ALL OR NOTHING, victory at all costs attitudes of most campaign staff these days. Perhaps, when we choose to treat politics as a reality show of delightfully tawdry heights, we get precisely the governing we deserve.