Elections Have Consequences! (Opinion)

It’s a worrisome development that American society appears to be trending away from valuing integrity, charity and morality!

And instead it’s delusions of grandeur and a focus on notoriety, fame and wealth that seems to be winning the day!

Whether business, politics or day-to-day news, our culture has lurched towards the old Hollywood adage that ‘any publicity is good publicity’ and that actions don’t have consequences. Why? Because that’s what our observations are telling us!

Some reading this will think that statement is directed towards Donald Trump who, in many ways, has gained popularity in his race for the Republican nomination by disparaging others in ways reminiscent of a high school bully.

And while I am certainly not a Hillary supporter and absolutely don’t #FeelTheBern either, American politics needs to be better than that.

Point out the errors that you see in your political opponents by comparing and contrasting your own positions with theirs. Particularly in this election cycle there is no shortage of ammunition to do that.

And while there are issues concerning demeanor and comportment on the right, at the same time consider Hillary Clinton who has ‘always tried to tell the truth’ and yet is facing serious charges that appear to clearly indicate that she has in fact not done that.

Classified and top secret emails (a fact that was denied by the candidate) on a non-governmental server hidden in the basement of a private residence is the stuff that would have lesser government employees rotting away in a jail cell.

And yet, 50% or so of the American people are willing to overlook that serious transgression committed by a then Secretary of State and make Hillary the frontrunner for the highest office not only in the United States but the entire world!

Democratic Party spokespeople will tell you that the hoopla surrounding this case is simply partisan politics. Sadly, we seem to have gotten to a place where the yearning for power and position allows for some to sweep morality under the rug.

And yet, given all of the unresolved issues it still unfortunately seems that many Americans don’t have any interest!

In truth we are sadly devolving into a 10-second soundbite and reality show society where many are willing to be told what to think by others. If you lean left you may take what the left-leaning news sources are telling you as gospel. Similarly those leaning right will do the same.

But as we enter into the stretch run of the primary races to select presidential candidates from each party and then into the actual race for the White House, it is incumbent on Americans to focus at least as much interest in the future direction of our nation as they do with some of the nonsense on T.V. that passes for entertainment.

The U.S. economy, the global economy, China, Russia, Syria, Iran, ISIS, homegrown terrorism, cyber-security and national security to name just a few are all critical issues that our next president will be dealing with.

Elections have serious consequences and it’s we the people who are ultimately responsible for the outcome.

Therefore let’s make as much of an effort in making an educated and informed decision in November as we do with trying to guess what it is that Kim and Kanye are going to name their kid!

Michael Haltman is President of Hallmark Abstract Service in New York. He can be reached at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.