By Michael Fryzel
Books will be written, movies will be made, and tales will be told. Election year 2016 will go down in history as one that conceivably changed forever how political campaigns are conducted in the United States.
The candidates for both political parties have been chosen. Or at least we believe they have. Depending on what day it is, which commentator you listen to, what newspaper you pick up or what online story you read, that could change too.
Donald Trump, the nominee of the Republican Party astonished everyone by literally knocking out 16 opponents in the primary contest. It was an unheard of feat by an individual who has never run for public office. He defeated individuals with name recognition in the highest percentages, such as Jeb Bush. He beat individuals with outstanding legislative and executive credentials, such as John Kasich. He scored impressive victories over sitting governors, such as Scott Walker and Chris Christie, and Senators such as Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham. And he withstood the challenge of a soft spoken, intelligent neurosurgeon by the name of Ben Carson.
On the Democrat’s side, Hillary Clinton held off an unbelievable effort by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who mounted a grassroots, populist campaign that candidates will use as a model for years to come.
Ordinarily, once both parties have held their nominating conventions, voters would get a month-long break from politics until Labor Day, long considered the start of the fall campaign. Not this year. It’s 2016 and everything is far from ordinary.
No Time To Catch Breath
For over a year already the campaigns have been in full swing and show no signs of slowing down to allow everyone to at least catch their breath and enjoy the last full month of summer.
For the next three months the presidential election will dominate every medium that covers the news. Even if a catastrophic or tragic event occurs, it will blend into the campaigns and could even impact the outcome.
Name calling, finger pointing, charges and counter-charges will be a significant part of both candidates’ race to the White House. Based on recent opinion polls, we can be certain each side will attempt to show that the other side is worse than they are.
Many people abhor the choice that Americans must make believing neither candidate is who they want as the next President. Either you love Hillary or Donald, or you hate them. There is no room in the middle. Depending on which side you talk to, voting for one over the other is like picking the devil over Beelzebub. Either choice is going to be hell.
But this is our election process, the American way, and no matter how bad the campaigns get and whoever is elected, as a country we will survive. Granted, hard-core supporters of one or the other do not believe that and feel that if Hillary is elected, or for that matter Donald, the world will end.
Even by not looking into a crystal ball, I can assure you that it will not.
For the vast majority of our citizens life will go on pretty much as it does now; maybe you will pay more taxes and your style of life will not improve as much as you would like it.
For those less fortunate we can only hope that their lives improve. We want the sick to get the care they need and no one to go hungry. We want the homeless to at least have a shelter to go to. And we want children to be able to walk the streets safely to a school that will give them the education they need to make a better life for themselves.
Don't Expect Massive Change
Both candidates have ideas to make things better for everyone. Candidates for office usually do. The proof will come when one is elected and we see if what they said is what they do.
Regardless of who is elected, do not expect miracles or massive change from either one. That is not what our system allows. But always have hope that there will be some changes for the better.
So, as they say in the West, get on your horse, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life.
It’s 2016. It’s election year. It’s the USA. Giddy up!
Michael Fryzel is the former chairman of NCUA who is now in private practice in Chicago. Mr. Fryzel can be reached at meflaw@aol.com.