While appreciative of Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel and Times columnist Howard Troxler on board as staunch supporters of candidates committing to signed campaign pledges vowing to stay away from the garbage and filth being spewed by all too many candidates in recent elections, and with 2006 being the dirtiest and most disheartening it has been our vexation to contend with as voters, I am sad to state that these pledges have been in place for some time, albeit not well adhered to by all too many candidates.
Locally the Fair Campaign Practices Committee, a unique and useful voter tool, utilized a clean campaign promise while nationally, and here in Florida, we had the Clean Campaign Committee which was promulgated by activist citizens disgusted with the current morals (or should I say lack of) by outrageous, undignified, rotten (you use your own adjectives here) methods of advertising used to disparage good people running for public office. The concept of the pledge was ideal. The reality, without excuse, of how low candidates permit themselves to sink is beyond description and unfortunately has not worked. However, it is one small tool which must be used. As voters we must utilize any and all methods to end this egregious insult and repulsive attack on our election systems.