Primary debates leave us wondering: Is it CNN or SNL?

Turn on the television during one of the primary debates, no matter the party, and you’ll bear witness to a comedy sketch. You may even think you’re in the audience of “Saturday Night Live.” Alas, you’re not – you’re watching tomorrow’s leaders duke it out right before your eyes. Besides, “Saturday Night Live” is not nearly as amusing.

Folks, we are witnessing a seismic shift in the way our nation’s candidates run for office. The primary and election processes, I think we’d all agree, have run amok.

It is now customary to create pointless stories full of inaccuracies that spread like wildfire across social media outlets. It is now acceptable to call people liars without any basis, and it is even standard practice to falsely accuse opponents with ridiculous allegations, attack their family and friends, and spout insults. And let’s not forget another new practice – spewing expletives.

In the wonderful world of politics, we have come to expect muckraking and mudslinging. But today’s leaders have gone beyond this and entered a new arena that has yet to be named.

This year’s political season is not yet in full force, but it is already rolling out as an “anything goes” spoof of anything that will lead to a boost in the polls. And it’s nothing personal – it’s just how you play the game. It’s how you win, too. It’s how you take every negative quality possible, transform yourself into the quintessential bully and influence people.

What fine examples of leadership we are setting for our children! It’s no wonder bullying at school or in the workplace is common – if our heroes, role models and leaders can do it, it must be okay.

I admit, there was once a time when I, like so many others of my generation, dreamed of being president. That was when being president actually meant and stood for something, representing everything good about our country. There was a time when I admired a candidate for his or her stance on the real issues, his or her vision for our country and the confidence that each of us could single-handedly attain the American Dream. The candidates of my era were true statesmen – Kennedy, Humphrey, even Reagan. But this new crop of politicians does not stand for the ideals and values on which this country was formed; it stands for its own. 

I hope the candidates running for the nation’s – really, the world’s – highest office will soon change their political strategies. Either that or we, as voters, must.

Caveat emptor – let the buyer, or the voter – beware. More like, be wary. Choosing a candidate is like buying a car – you have to do your research thoroughly before making such a big decision. 

MARTY COOPER is the Community Relations director for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.