Last night I dreamt a new software program was developed that could accurately determine whether any form of communication by any candidate for any elected office was false, hyperbolic, or based on an unproven conspiracy theory. It would work for all levels of government in every state
The program was adopted and put into effect by every government agency throughout the country. Election rules and regulations were universally adopted that required all campaign communications to adhere to these rules: All campaign communications of any kind must address issues, not personalities. They must be based on facts, scientific evidence, and credible socioeconomic analysis. Any campaign claim or promise made by a candidate would require credible details as to how the candidate would pursue that promise. Specific projections would be required outlining how any given promise would work to enhance the quality of life for the candidates’ constituents, society as a whole, and the world – both in the short run and long-term.
There would be 3 required debates for all national offices. The topics debated would focus on issues and would be debated based on the perspective of policy approaches and would set forth the candidate’s approach to how they would discuss and compromise with members of the opposition party so as to achieve a workable majority that could pass needed legislation.
During any given campaign, whenever the software detected a violation, the violating candidate’s communication would be halted for 30 days. A second violation would result in the candidate’s disqualification. If the candidate ran for any office in the future and violated the rules, they would be barred for life from running for any office anywhere in the country
In addition, all candidates’ personal information of legitimate interest to voters, such as college transcripts, medical records, and financial net worth and income would be required to be made public. Failure to comply would trigger an automatic disqualification.
It was only my dream. But what if we lived in a world like that? How close to that can we get? How different and better would our lives be? What do you think?