I wish we lived in a time when voters would evaluate all candidates solely on their views, their plans, their records, their character and not pay their political parties. Then we would have the best Congress in the world.

But that time is not today.

I wish we lived in a time when our politicians listened to the viewpoints of the other side, agreed what they could, challenged what was unsupportable and fought only those things that were truly beyond acceptance. Then we would have an effective, functioning government treading the middle ground where most Americans reside.

But that’s not the government we have today.

The large mass of moderate voters do not identify with party today. The result is that elections are decided by the voters who do support the more far-right and far-left wings.

The choice often comes down to a choice, not of candidates, but of parties. If one candidate will vote 99 percent of the time with the Republicans if elected, and the other will vote with the Democrats 99 percent of the time, then the choice is simply: which party do you want in power?

So when I urge my Democratic friends to vote, it is not a mindless acceptance of everything the party has to say. It is a recognition that those Democratic ideals I do support have a better chance with Democrats in power.

Vote, Democrats. Then let’s work on getting whoever is elected to fight for successful government.

Mattew Publicover

Merrimack

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