Opinion by Mathew Carr
Sept. 10-11, 2024 — London — To get what you want out of an election, people need to play both sides off against each other.
That’s how the world progresses.
Americans seem to have forgotten.
The press, meant to be representing the people, seem to focus on division (racism, wars, celebrity scandals) as a way to distract the people from the worsening inequality in society and from the constant struggles …
They are seeking to demonise one side or the other rather than taking the one-in-four-year chance to interrogate why there is no real change.
Tonight’s broadcast debate is not a sporting event. It’s not meant to be theatre. It’s a chance to get serious about policy.
With luck ABC World News Tonight anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime host Linsey Davis, who will serve as the moderators, will remember that Kamala Harris and Donald Trump ARE competing for votes.
That they will tease out how each candidate will enact their promises …so the best promises win.
Journalists should be seeking to get the government representatives to promise to make things better for the people.
To ensure the winner has the best plan.
Less climate change? Polluters should pay.
If Donald Trump won’t do it, ask Harris whether she will.
The candidates —both of them —- are not being interrogated so they are not promising to solve the biggest problems.
ABC’s role here is to help get a better government for everyone …so these matters get solved.
That’s possible.
Better bank regulation (not worse).? The fact that the US is giving up on stronger bank regulation two months before the election is a bad sign.
Want fewer wars?
Why are neither Trump nor Harris promising to end the existing wars — they are US proxy wars, after all? …or explain how they will negotiate world peace? …promise more honesty about the military industrial complex? More disclosure on UFOs? More low-cost atomic energy? Better, cheaper education, transport and healthcare?
The quality of the public-policy debate has so far been poor ….as the top 0.1% get much much wealthier.
The people are sick of the nonsense.
The ABC event will last 90 minutes with two ad breaks and no studio audience. (Independent newspaper.) Trump and Harris are not allowed to ask each other questions.
So let’s hope the reporters interrogate the two candidates well …so they are required to actually compete to win votes on these important matters … to make the world a better place for all people …American and otherwise… not just a better place for corporations and for more of the same.
Reporters …over to you.
[…] Open letter to America and ABC: How elections are meant to work […]