Viagra debate is uplifting

Sorry, I couldn't resist the headline.

I would guess we have Jeff Roe to thank for turning the governor's race into one that will center on anything but legitimate issues. Sarah Steelman launched her first attack ad on Kenny Hulshof last week, then mentioned three times in their debate that Hulshof had voted to allow Medicare to cover Viagra for senior citizens.

Now Hulshof notes that Mrs. Steelman voted for Viagra for prisoners. I would suggest that both votes were not for Viagra, but for other portions of the bills in questions. unfortunately, in today's political atmosphere, and in a world of sound bites, nothing is going to be put into context.

There is nothing wrong with criticizing politicians based on their votes, but the sleazy operators who are running the political campaigns should at least make the pretense of supplying voters with the truth.

Neither Hulshof nor Mrs. Steelman favors having taxpayers foot the bill for Viagra for anyone. Now let's get back to legitimate stiff competition.

And perhaps I should amend my earlier statement that we have Jeff Roe to thank for this. Jeff Roe is a hired gun doing exactly what he is paid to do. The only person to blame is Sarah Steelman.