Keep Politics at the 5th grade level

This month you’ve undoubtedly noticed all the political hype. We in the business of marketing whether it’s print, radio, TV, outdoor or internet get bombarded. We’re in an important election year for our state. A U.S. Senate seat is up for grabs and unless you’ve been living abroad for a while you must know that we’re also in the midst of a gubernatorial race. Not that former Philly mayor and incumbent Ed Rendell wouldn’t stop in our parts without an election race being contested, but I’m sure his stopping recently was for more than just wanting to check out the produce at the local farmers market.

Our politicians are but trusted servants. Finding out who to trust takes some digging on all our parts. Besides the state’s two top jobs being contested there’s lots of local, municipal races and decisions we’ll all be making in a few weeks. I’ve gotten jaded to all the negative campaigning. It happens every election cycle. Our politicians think if we believe their challenger is more the scoundrel than they’ll win by default. Recently I had an experience occur that further shaped my view that negative campaigning is a tactic that’s seen it’s time and is well past due to being put out to pasture.

My oldest, a fifth grader at St. Isidore’s early one morning in leaving for school quips to me in a nervous tone ‘Dad I need your help, I forgot to mention last night after homework that I need to give a speech today, I’m running for 5th grade class representative and haven’t really prepared.’ Great, after all we have a whole two minutes before you leave for the bus, plenty of time to prepare for such an important public speaking engagement. Sarcasm aside I explained to Anthony that he has to do the best he can because neither of us has time for preparation, each of us has obligations, me to my 9 to 5 and he to the classroom. ‘Do your best and let me know how it went’. ‘I’ll be thinking of you’. Off we went.

Driving to work I couldn’t help but wonder was I brushing him off? Time is short, what else could I say or do? That morning’s work for me included him being on my mind. Maybe I should call I thought. Maybe give him a few tips I learned along the way. A lot of good that did me the only thing I ran for in school was the race for no homework. I went back to work put thoughts aside. On our radio stations where I work I heard some ads for Rendell running to keep hold of the Governor’s job, then Lynn Swann’s ad ran. Pleasantly surprised both candidates ran on their performance and weren’t engaging in the typical mudslinging. This of course got me to thinking about Anthony again. What time is his presentation?

Around 10 am I got in my car and took a look at where I was headed for that day’s appointments for advertising. Fate had me of all places stopping at a client right off Route 309 in Quakertown. How ironic, just a few short feet from St. Isidore’s school. Should I stop by? What if he already spoke?

Around noon as I finished up I decided to take a shot and give him a 15 minute pep talk, better still just listen to him rehearse on me and hope for the best. I wasn’t concerned whether he’d win or lose, I just wanted him to know that when you run for anything in representing others the important thing is to speak from the heart. Any office that comes with an election means that whoever holds post ought to know the basic tenant which is who you are isn’t important. What you stand for is important and whom you serve is paramount. It’s about the people, or in my son’s case, his fellow 5th grade students.

So I stopped in, we cut around the hall corner and had a father-son chat. I explained that my experience to help in this area borders on useless but I stopped by for moral support if nothing else. I explained that my best advice is when you speak think of the others in class. What would they want from their class representative? Someone who puts themselves first or puts the class first? Are you enthralled at the title and ego of the job or are you willing to get to work and serve your fellow classmates if you win? He thought, didn’t say anything, he just listened. Finally I said win or lose, it’s not about you. It’s an elected office that your fellow students are only entrusting to one person. You’re a part of that student body win or lose. I shook his hand, wished him luck, told him I loved him and said I’d be back to pick him up later.

I went back to work after the 20 minute pit stop as my son went back to class. Later I discovered he won. The most important thing he won wasn’t the job or post, but in knowing that in being candid, forthright and honest that this holds the most value with his fellow fifth graders. These traits come in mighty handy for us well past fifth grade also. Maybe if more politicians spoke to their strengths, gave an honest assessment of their weakness and spoke from the heart, we’d all be better off. Look at your politicians from a fifth grade point of view. Who do you trust to best represent you, me, us? Chances are if they stand on their record, good, bad and indifferent that will carry the class and the election. Do your homework and figure it out as best possible. Educated voters are the best friend of the political process.

See ‘ya around town.