Marchione: Don’t trust Internet political rhetoric

With the city of Maricopa’s 2012 campaign season upon us, I’ll share my thoughts regarding what I already see taking place. I’m known for being straight forward and honest, and I’ll not hold back now.

Already, Internet forums are alive with chatter, and the usual suspect usernames and even some new ones, have appeared providing us with the uninformed negative political rhetoric we’ve come to expect. Bloggers, hiding behind screen names in which they don’t have to reveal their true identity, feel emboldened and are getting right down to the business of stating uninformed half truths and making slanderous accusations. 

For example, and let me be perfectly clear — there is no “Good Old Boy” club.  What is it?  It’s nothing more than a few individuals trying to draw attention away from the lack of substance in their candidate’s campaign, in an attempt to make uninformed voters believe that there is impropriety in their local government. If there is such a club, where is it?  I haven’t seen it. Less than two days after being sworn into office, I was labeled as one of the “Good Old Boys.”  It’s ridiculous.  And, of the folks making such accusations, I’ll bet you can guess how many have personally contacted me regarding the “club”?

If you’re a potential voter, please understand Internet forums are the least credible source of information on candidates. Take the time to speak to candidates personally, view their websites, read their articles, attend candidate forums and debates, and look past the noise and the smoke screen, to see if they truly have a platform, and the experience to represent you in your local government. 

For me, as soon as a candidate goes negative against other candidates, and starts attacking their opponent’s character — instead of trying to impress upon the voters why they’re the right choice — they already lost my vote. I’m looking for substance, and candidates that stand on their own merit. And, telling me you’re the most qualified candidate means nothing if all you have to tell me is that — you ‘re the most qualified candidate.  I want to know what a candidate’s vision is and how they plan to get us there.