Once again election time is here and with it comes the commercials. We can’t turn on the television without seeing an abundance of campaign ads running over and over telling us who or what to vote for and their reasons why. I find many of these commercials touting us by whatever means to get our vote and if they have to outright lie, they do.

Who are the groups funding these ads? I have been able to catch some of the names that quickly flash at the end but, who are they really? And why is it so important to pour so much money into these little bursts of misinformation? I conclude they count on the voter to be ignorant.

The last vote we had seemed many of us voted for the best commercial. We heard, “If you vote for that, then this will happen” scenario, even if it is not in the bill. Then when it is time to plan a budget there is crying, pleading and even anger that there isn’t enough money to fund needed programs so they are dropped.

Just a thought: if the groups funding the ads simply gave our state budget the money spent to sway your vote we would not have a budget shortfall. But that’s not going to happen because their true agenda would not be met.

There is really only one way to get around these campaign persuasion ads and to know what the truth is and that is to read the bill. I know this is not an easy thing to do. The language is in lawyer-speak which doesn’t exactly make for an exciting read but you would know the truth and then vote responsibly.

Like many of you, I take the vote seriously. If I allow a group of nameless, faceless investors to tell me “If you vote for that, then this will happen,” scenario, and steal my vote by lying or exaggerating the truth, then shame on me especially when the truth is right under our noses.

Vote with knowledge.

Michele Thornton

Enumclaw