Campaigning lacks the substance of important issues

To launch his re-election campaign for yet another term as governor of this fine state, John Engler cranked out a 30-second snippet and smacked it into one of the many long commercial breaks during the last episode of "Seinfeld." True to form, Engler's spin doctors filled the spot with images of the relaxed 50-year-old Republican and his lovely wife Michelle lounging about their home. Oh, what a warm, squishy feeling that gives me. Add in a few images of the family dog or a backdrop of the governor's summer home on Mackinac Island and I doubt even Norman Rockwell could come up with something as wholesome.

Jack Schillaci Slam it to the Left

During the 1996 campaign season, Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon's re-election machinery distributed pamphlets that showed her holding a small child. A quote from Sheldon reaffirming her belief in the sanctity of the family was on the back.

And I can still hear Bill Clinton remembering "a place called Hope." (His hometown in Arkansas; cute, huh?)

Why do politicians think it is acceptable for them to dodge the issues - the important political issues that should be guiding the populace through their electoral decisions - and change campaigns into a battle of advertising teams and moral beliefs?

The whole Monica Lewinsky situation is a classic example of silly issues polluting the world of politics. Amid accusations and slander, right-wing fanatics have taken the opportunity to decry the president for something of which he has not been proven guilty.

Yes, credibility problems can be important, but what about poverty, health care and all that other stuff that both sides of the political fence say are so important? They end up getting kicked to the sideline while our elected representatives complain about how the president's actions are endemic of the collapse of American values and the dreaded "breakdown of the family."

Oh mercy, no! With the demise of the nuclear family, who knows what horrors will strike our nation.

I think American values are doing just fine. As for the family, I just want to know what the hell said "breakdown" is. The definition of the family is changing, yes. There are many more single parents taking on the roles of two than ever before, and the image of a mother, a father and 2.5 children has become outdated.

But every other year, politicians roll out the same old crap to get themselves re-elected. That they believe in protecting the family as the fundamental building block of American society. That we must try to weed out politicians that don't jive with the strong moral traditions that our great nation was founded on. The sad thing is that people buy into it, and Engler will probably get himself re-elected.

I'm glad you have such a beautiful family with your wife and triplet munchkins, Mr. Engler, but what do you plan to do about the horrible air quality in this state? I'm glad you feel that we should be able to say we have the best schools in the country, but why is it, then, that you take every opportunity to screw them over?

Never mind, just sit there with Michelle and smile. I'm sure everything will work out fine for you.

- Jack Schillaci can be reached over e-mail at jschilla@umich.edu.

05-18-98