Politicians begin with grand goals for themselves and us. Yet they set them aside and let us down. Leave us in the mud of their campaign. This is done in the name of pragmatism under the banner that says “it works. it always has.”

Imagine how this came to be the truth our politicians believe. Suppose there are two candidates: Ben and Benoit. They begin their campaigns with the idea of saving their country. They each have labored for years developing themselves and their ideas. Cultivating contacts across the social fabric. It is time to tell the crowds about their vision, so they do. But something happens. Not everyone listens. Not everyone believes. But Ben and Benoit are not detoured. They are very resilient committed persons. So they continue with their speeches, barbecues, and so the campaign rolls on. Then one of them fires a mud shot. Their consultant did so, as a dedicated believer. At this day, it doesn’t matter which, because the press began talking about the shit across the bow. What happens next is the “B” lets loose an ad.

Now comes the reason that negative campaigns are thought to win. In a two party election, one party wins. It becomes easy to point to the “negative” campaign elements as what won the election, therefore in the next election “negative” will be used again.

Since everyone does it, it will be done again. Each success being pointed out, being used as evidence to do it again. Besides, hatred is easier to portray on TV. Hate is an easy emotion, so close to doubt, ignorance and fear. Hate is our comfort food. Quickly heated, leaving us hungry for more. Underfed we vote again. At what point does this leave us all either diabetic or anemic. A nation of wasted ideas, full of hatred for each other.