Introduction
Most politicians that run for an elected position utilize political platforms that emphasize certain benefits to be given to the populace. This can come in the form of proposed resolutions to budgetary problems, controlling spiraling government debt, reduction of violent crime and even providing jobs to millions of individuals that have been put out of work as a direct result of a financial recession.
While such platforms are inherently effective in inciting positive public opinion towards a particular candidate, it is often the case that promises made based on these platforms are not always kept when a candidate is elected into the position they ran for.
While it may be true that political and economic realities often hinder such promises from being carried out, it is rather interesting to realize that a vast majority of people that have been elected into government positions in the past have rarely carried out the actions that they say justifies them as a capable individual for a particular position. The result is a certain degree of stagnation in governmental processes, methods, and procedures wherein the necessary changes that need to be implemented have not been done so due to most of these individuals failing to follow through on promises they made at the start.
Responsibility Lies with the People
It must be noted though that this situation is only partly the fault of elected officials, most of the blame should go to the people that elected in the first place. The election system they put in place rewards inaction, coddling, and lying while at the same time punishes those who want change, speak the truth, and are trying to get people to understand the necessity of enduring certain sacrifices to create an efficient and beneficial system for all.
What must be understood is that the general public often supports candidates that say what they want to hear while they shun those who advocate aspects related to sacrifice and necessity. This has resulted in election campaigns that are inclined towards creating a positive vibe among voters with candidates saying what the voters want to hear yet fail to sufficiently carry out such actions in office. This can be compared to a grade school student election where one candidate promises free candy and no homework yet fails to deliver on such promises when they are elected into their position.
In a real election campaign, it is often seen that candidates make promises to improve the economy, create jobs, and improve the American way of life yet such allusions are filled with pomp and pageantry with no true justification for how this will be carried out with the price of such actions being paid for by the people. Yet, this is what people want to hear and candidates take full advantage of it resulting in a system that facilitates nothing ever getting done because the wrong kind of people is being placed into the right kind of positions.
In light of such facts, it is clear that to advocate a platform that expresses what people don’t want to hear yet contains what needs to be done to remedy current national problems is the same as committing political suicide. Fortunately, I would still choose to propose such changes despite the potentially negative ramifications of my political career.
My Campaign Position
I believe that with the current state of the economy it is necessary to increase tax revenue to help stabilize a chaotic economic system. The reason I advocate such a position is due to the description of tyrants in Plato’s Gorgias in that the very nature of their position makes it so that decisions they make such as scheduling an execution is not based upon committing the action itself or whether the action is good rather for them this is to ensure the continued prosperity of the country.
Another thing to consider is that the underlying point in the provided excerpt is the fact that for people actions tend to be performed not for the sake of the action itself but rather to achieve some other benefit the action provides. When considering both points I believe that by my position I must take action in whatever way I can to help generate awareness regarding a possible solution to the country’s economic woes despite the adverse ramifications this would have on my political career.
Generated Benefit from my Decision
The benefit generated by running under such a campaign is the fact that despite it lessening my chances of winning, people will become more aware of what is necessary to resolve the current economic problems facing the country.
They would be able to judge whether the campaign promises being made by the other candidates would truly be effective in creating effective resolutions. In effect, my proposal of tax increases, despite it potentially being the reason for my loss, could have a lasting impact on public opinion which could save the country from future economic problems. This is of itself goes beyond the act of me running for an election campaign, rather it benefits the people of this country by generating awareness, debate, and a certain amount of realization over what needs to be done.