The automotive industry makes cars. Restaurants make hamburgers and other foods. Apple makes computers and iPhones.  Stores like Meijer sell everything a household needs. A surgeon repairs the body. All of this is obvious. 

What may not be as obvious is that politics is only about words, either spoken or written.  Be it campaigning or governing.  For higher profile races, voters often hear the words of candidates, on TV commercials or social media ads, maybe even the news if they’re lucky.  For most races it’s the written word through print material. 

When it comes to governing, the same holds true, it’s either spoken or written words.  Spoken words when a public official is giving a speech on the chamber floor, to a group of constituents, or to the media.  The written word dominates in creating legislation, issuing executive orders if the official is a governor or president, or in letters and newsletters to constituents and others.  

It has become popular to discount the spoken word of politicians with their defenders saying “oh, don’t listen to what they say, just look at their actions.” Since words is the only currency of politics, what they’re really saying is “oh, don’t listen to their words, just look at their words.” This is done when someone’s words are damaging and allies are trying to find a way to defend them. 

Can you imagine saying this about a surgeon?  “Oh, don’t look at all his harmful surgical outcomes, just look at his good surgical outcomes!”  

We just concluded another election cycle – volumes of spoken words – and are heading into a new legislative session in DC and state capitals across the country. So, voters will have a chance to decide if candidates’ written words measure up to their previously spoken words.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.