And now for something completely different…
*I will warn you this is a VERY tongue-in-cheek problem-solving tactic. If you lack a sense of humor and/or have no appreciation for imagination riddled with dark twistedness, this is probably NOT for you.
Finger Politics
What’s the best thing about the 21st century?
“Political ads come right to your phone. No need to drive or get the mail or turn on a TV; those toxic messages are delivered DIRECTLY to me. Best thing ever.”
I hope that was read with sarcasm, an eye roll, or at least a scoff.
With the constant barrage of spam to my phone, I started thinking about all that goes into election propaganda… the massive quantities of time, money, and energy. Then there’s the side effect of toxic disruptions and interruptions from every media outlet, trash from signs, flyers, mailers, etc… and now direct delivery? I’ll insert my own eye roll!
Seriously though, being a compassionate solutions-minded human, I’ve got to wonder if it wouldn’t be better to channel that immense force into something more positive, like ending homelessness, investing in mental wellness, cleaning up cities, reinvesting and refining old and dilapidated infrastructures, positively impacting education (psst...replace the political figureheads with good quality educational leaders at the helm, and the system will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong.).
I digress.
ANYWAY, how do we clean up the political propaganda? Finger Politics
This idea originated in 2018. On the way to work, I’d pull out onto Tropicana and there was nothing but a sea of political signs. Every corner was littered with faces and slogans. Every f#cking corner. As if a morning commute isn’t bad enough (*insert eye roll*). Now that elections are looming in 2022, and spam is blowing up my phone, I’ve decided to revisit an old idea.
What is Finger Politics? Each candidate…at every level…in any capacity…pledges to stand behind and back TEN issues/policies throughout their term. Every time they actively go against anything they pledged to do, they get a finger cut off.
For example, I’m an elected official, and one of my campaign promises was to increase funding for public education, but then I voted against it, or I did anything to intentionally stand in the way of getting funding for public education; I would lose a finger. However, if I voted to increase funding and it still didn’t pass, I’d get to keep my finger. It’s not about always finding success; it’s about following through with what I promised my constituents I would do.
Plus, with glaring truths at our fingertips (pun intended), there would be no need for dramatic, over-the-top smear campaigns. All ads would be in the same format: a picture of the candidates’ faces with fingers held high and all their pertinent information on the bottom:
Dale Smith, 7 fingers, 4 years in office
Paula Doe, 3 fingers, 8 years in office
Stephanie Nobody, 9 fingers, 15 years in office
On the back of their face/finger card, every candidate would have the opportunity to explain the finger loss(es) and/or tout any accomplishments, like how they kept their current fingers.
One card. That’s it. Think of all the money and time saved. Plus, all the waste that’s not wasted! Not only does it clean up a literal mess of papers and trash, but there is also a bit of accountability tucked in there.
Finger Politics may seem a bit harsh and unconventional, but it should only be worrisome for those who lie. An honest person would have nothing to worry about. And it really could be a highly effective way to streamline the overwhelming mayhem of intrusive monstrosities that have become political propaganda. Besides, aren’t we all a bit tired of the dishonest, corrupt mess politics has become?
In conclusion, Finger Politics has many benefits: Less trash in landfills. No more phone spam. No more signage on the roads. No more flyers in mailboxes. No more ads on the TV. No more toxic rhetoric. PLUS, an added element of accountability.
As an added bonus, there would be less need to pursue term limits. Once you’re out of fingers, you’re out. After all, it’s Finger Politics. Not Nub Politics.
Want to keep your fingers? Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Finger Politics could be a simple solution to growing and unnecessary problems.
There is way to much money in America politics, which leaves it open to corruption. There should be a fixed amount of taxpayers money that political parties can spend on campaigning, because it shouldn't be based on how much money you can spend. I'm with you on punishing politicians who don't actively try to live up to their promises. However, that would give people without hands an advantage if they only lost fingers. Maybe they should be personally fined or be disqualified from office instead. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree on all accounts. Less spending and WAY more accountability! This is a VERY exaggerated way of trying to say that. But it's also a testament to just out of of hand it's gotten. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. ✌️
DeleteAs a Canadian I’m not only exposed to Canadian politics but American politics as well. I do believe that our elected officials need to be held accountable and to work together for the greater good.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. While this is a wild exaggeration of how to handle that; it's also a testament to how out of hand it's gotten. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! ✌️
DeletePolitics, especially in America, are an absolute disaster. While I cannot say if this is a solution to our problems, it certainly is something creative that could work well in a book!
ReplyDeleteIt may just find its way into an upcoming tale! Thank you so much for stopping by!
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