over the edge

What's even more frustrating than watching negative campaign ads, is hearing experts say that they are the most effective. It's insulting to our intelligence to be subjected to ads that exaggerate claims about the incompetence of an opposing candidate, without mentioning a single truth about one's own qualifications. And they’re ALWAYS exaggerated. (I know because I'm nerdy enough to go on the internet and try to verify the claims.)

I read an article today about a campaign ad launched by Indiana Congressman John Hostettler, warning listeners that a vote for his democratic opponent could trigger a shift in House leadership and advance the “'homosexual agenda.'' (link to the story) I didn't know that there was a formal homosexual agenda. But according to the Alliance Defense Fund, there is. ADF President Crain Osten says that a 1980’s book called “After the Ball” laid out the agenda’s six point plan:

1 – Talk about gays as loudly and as often as possible.
2 – Portray gays as victims, not as aggressive challengers.
3 – Give homosexual protectors a just cause.
4 – Make gays look good.
5 – Make the victimizers look bad.
6 – Get funds from corporate America.

(I’m not making this up, (here's a link)) ("make GAYS look good")

After establishing that there is an agenda, Osten claims that its endgame is the destruction of marriage and traditional family values. (I think that divorce rates are damaging marriage without any help from “the agenda.” And the fact that going to google.com and entering “priest boys sodomy” results in 159,000 hits shows that traditional values will soon be redefined without any help from "the agenda")

So John Hostettler says that a vote for his opponent (Sheriff Brad Ellsworth), will advance the homosexual agenda. This makes me wonder what a vote for Hostettler advances... so I'm going to check out his website, www.johnhostettler.com.

Right away, the homepage reads, “This website will be used to help keep the voters of Indiana's 8th district informed about my vision for our future.” Now I’m excited. I like it when politicians go in-depth and articulate their stances on issues.

The first link I follow leads to his bio. Since this is one of the few links on the page, I’m expecting to find some substance. After a five paragraph life story, he gives the voters of Indiana’s 8^th district this lone paragraph explaining his platform:

“John Hostettler based his campaign on the importance of upholding the Constitution as America's governing document. His campaign promises were to work toward balancing the federal budget, strengthening our national defense, cutting taxes, and reforming welfare.”

Wow. He emphasizes “the importance of upholding the Constitution as America’s governing document.” I didn't know we had people out there opposed to the Constitution being America’s governing document.

“Balancing the federal budget, strengthening our national defense, cutting taxes, and reforming welfare.” Those seem to be standard conservative stances, but I’m assuming there has to be more to Hostettler’s website than this. After all, it's his “internet campaign headquarters.” And its purpose is to “keep voters of Indiana’s 8^th district informed about his vision for the future.” But so far all he's done is pretty much say, "I'm a republican." (Nothing against republicans, I'm a moderate, and can see myself being a republican someday)

The second link is labeled, “Founding Documents.” My curiosity is heightened, I'm not sure what to expect... I click on it. The resulting page is simply a list of links numbered 1-8:

1. Magna Carta
2. Declaration of Independence
3. U.S. Constitution
4. Bill of Rights
5. Federalist Papers
6. The Thomas Jefferson Papers
7. Founding Fathers Bios
8. The Gettysburg Address

Again, I am not making this up. I am nowhere near that cynical. (although my cynicism is growing as I explore this website) I click on “Magna Carta” and it takes me to an actual full -length translation of the Magna Carta! Now, I didn't learn much thirteenth century history in school, but I know that the Magna Carta was written by English nobles to place checks on the King’s power. Without a doubt it is an important document in the history of democracy, but its not exactly an important read for today’s voting public. Is it? Does Hostetler want his constituents to spend their time reading the Magna Carta? For those of you who haven’t tried it, let me tell you, it’s not an easy read. My personal favorite clause (and the one of the shortest):

“[34] No Man shall be taken or imprisoned upon the Appeal of a Woman for the Death of any other, than of her husband.”

so here's the dialogue:

Woman – Sheriff, sheriff, I’ve just witnessed a murder!

Sheriff – Ok ma’am, stay calm, I’m going to have to ask you a couple of questions. First, was the killer a man?

Woman – Yes, I can identify him.

Sheriff – Ok now ma’am, this is important, was the victim your husband?

Woman – No, he was my brother.

Sheriff – Ok, now what I’m going to have to ask you to do, is find a man who also witnessed the murder. Once you do that, have him call me and explain what happened. If we have his testimony, then we can proceed with the investigation.

Is a quick read of the Magna Carta, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers or the Gettysburg address going to inform Hostettler’s constituents? Is reading the Declaration of Independence going to help Indiana voters decide which candidate is most fit to represent them in Washington? (Is the use of rhetorical questioning in any text other than a law school casebook frowned upon?)

So I go back to Hostettler’s internet campaign headquarters to see if there is anything on this page that makes any effort to inform voters. One last possibility is labeled simply, “Links.” I click on it and come upon a page with a bunch of links to third party websites. Guess how many links were on the page?

Over 50! Sorted by the headings: National Organizations, Indiana Political Organizations, 8^th District Organizations, 8^th District Republican Parties, 8^th District Towns and Communities, 8^th District Universities, 8^th District College Republicans, 8^th District Newspapers, Other Useful links. Is someone supposed to go through all of these 3rd party websites and attempt to decipher what Hostettler will do in Washington?

What ever happened to the idea of a candidate simply stating an issue, explaining the discourse, and giving his/her stance? (and what ever happened to making points without using rhetorical questioning to do so?)

A vote for John Hostettler is a vote for a Republican who will fight to uphold the Constitution as America’s governing document!