Hard Truths and my Soft Opinions...

Every morning as I’m getting ready for work, I watch our local morning news show on Fox 19 to catch the latest headlines, weather and whatever else might make for some good conversation each day.

During this time, without fail, an ad appears entitled “the Hard Truths”. Typically, these address any range of issues from health care to religion, most of which politically charged.

And, while it does a great job of assimilating a news program and using the word ‘truth’ to sound factual, I’m not sure it’s always the case. But, I digress.
April fifth’s “Hard Truths” segment I found particularly interesting, not so much in its content, but in the choice of vehicle for the message.

Here is the video:


Now, without focusing on other things this video calls to light, our host Phil essentially says that politicians should not listen to their constituents while making decisions on their behalf.

Think about it- this ad, paid for by campaign donations nonetheless, is going out to those very masses he’s saying aren’t credible.
( see: http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php?/contents/comments/187000_for_heimlichs_hard_truth_what_did_phil_do_with_his_campaign_cash/ )
I wonder, if upon receiving these donations, he replies, “Thank you for your money. I won’t represent your beliefs, but have a great life!”

Maybe he’s trying to say that leaders shouldn’t always blindly follow the masses—something with which I very much agree, but the way this comes across, it sounds more like he’s saying “the public doesn’t know what’s best for themselves.” …if that’s really what he wants to say, I would suggest not taking a local television ad to communicate said sentiments…to the public.

It’s a large leap to associate atrocities in American history strictly to the will of the people, as certainly slavery, internment camps and the Salem witch trials involved no underhanded politics whatsoever.

It’s also mildly offensive to myself and other members of the intelligent sector of the viewing public to be told that one of our own self-proclaimed public servants is stating outright that he will not abide by our wishes. Doesn’t that sound a little un-democratic? I mean, how does one get elected into office on a platform of not representing their constituents?

I hope he’s not running for election again anytime soon…