LETTER: The Platner fiasco

The problem with Graham Platner’s failed candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Maine is something Donald Trump and Republican have created. Anybody can run for office now if they have a name, sound good and have some money behind them. No experience is necessary. This problem is even worse because there is no reason for candidates to tell the truth. They can just say whatever will get them elected.

Just look at Mr. Trump, JD Vance, Tommy Tuberville and Herschel Walker. They are all names and had money behind them.

No one should be elected to the office of senator or president who hasn’t at least served as a representative or governor. Ideally, they should start even lower. Being elected to a lower office shows a desire to help people. Starting at high office shows that they think that they are smarter than anyone else (i.e. Mr. Trump) and have some ulterior motive, such as making money or blindly parroting some ideology. Prior election experience leads to better campaigning, and perhaps broader based fund-raising. It also allows for vetting, which seems to have been the problem with Mr. Platner.