Students migrating back to College Park return to a politically charged environment deep in the midst of election season. Between the phalanxes of campaign posters ruling the roads to the attacks thrown by political hopefuls, it’s easy to get confused about what to pay attention to. What has been unfortunately clear, however, is that, a vigorous debate of issues is being increasingly overshadowed by blustering candidates alternating between nitpicking over minutiae and being loose with facts.
It is ridiculous that meaningful topics such as funds for higher education, the redevelopment of Route 1 and safety in and around College Park have been glossed over in favor of distractions such as questionable campaign finance numbers and name-calling over cardboard signs.
Incumbent state Sen. John Giannetti’s reelection campaign is being mired by accusations of impropriety; on Sunday, Giannetti admitted his campaign had overstated financial contributions by at least $30,000. With opponent Jim Rosapepe running strong, picking up key endorsements from College Park officials, it’s clear that we are witnessing an exception to politics’ favorite tradition of incumbents running roughshod over their competition. But instead of candidates proving their excellence by declaring clear and achievable priorities for progress, we are witnesses to press releases about vandalized signs.
The issues at hand are too important to ignore. Once again, the university has become more expensive to attend than last year, and multiple buildings around the campus suffer from lack of maintenance. And all this despite an election-year budget boost from the state. What will happen once the spotlight goes away?
The school year has also been ushered in with all-too-familiar reports of crime against students. But where are the ideas on improving the situation?
Competition in political races is healthy, but campaigns responding to a genuine challenge with bluster and exaggeration is anything but. The victor of the Sept. 12 primary will have tremendous opportunity to effect change in College Park and beyond. It’s time for the candidates to focus on telling us how they will.
