My parents recently received their primary election voter initiative ballots that provide an informed voter with most of the information they need to make an educated decision. Inside both sides argue that their view is better. They prepare a concise speech to persuade you. They use powerful language to persuade you to vote on their issue.
Proposition 41 on this years ballot is veterans housing and homeless prevention bond act of 2014.
The argument for the proposition uses vague words in describing what the amendment will do. It says that "$600 million of existing, unspent funds" will be used to fund this project but it doesn't say where these funds came from. Also it does not acknowledge what purpose these funds were already supposedly approved for. It also continually uses the phrase "doesn't add to California's debt" throughout the article. They play with the idea that California voters don't want to approve something that will create a greater debt. So they say that this act for as long as it exists will never produce debt in California. That is a lie. It eventually somewhere down the road will cause debt in California because our world as beautiful as it is, is not perfect. It uses more vague phrases including "existing facilities" and "at-risk veterans" ,but it doesn't explain where these facilities are and what makes these veterans at risk. It also uses powerful language to make you feel like you are doing good by voting for this proposition. They make you feel like it is your american duty to vote for this proposition and help out our poor veterans. It is similar to the language used by Uncle Sam during World War II to get people to buy war bonds.
The argument against this proposition is not innocent of these faults in speech. They point out there is already a program out there that they believe is sufficient in providing what this proposition wants to give. They say that the funds already in place are "not being fully used" but where then are they. Also instead of fully arguing their point they raise two questions for the voter to think about the proposition. They are hoping that the voter will use other sources to look into the real issue.
I just started to realize how arguments are vaguely presented. They can just pop up anywhere in our lives and alter our perceptions by using incomplete thoughts so that we can fill in the blanks for their advertising. I just cannot believe how gullible I have been over the years when being presented with these vague arguments.
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