15. The following appeared as a part of an advertisement for Adams, who is seeking reelection as governor. Re-elect Adams, and you will be voting for proven leadership in improving the states economy. Over the past year alone, seventy percent of the states workers have had increases in their wages, five thousand new jobs have been created, and six corporations have located their headquarters here. Most of the respondents in a recent poll said they believed that the economy is likely to continue to improve if Adams is reelected. Adamss opponent, Zebulon, would lead our state in the wrong direction, because Zebulon disagrees with many of Adamss economic policies. Discuss how well reasoned... etc. This political advertisement recommends re-electing Governor Adams because he has a proven leadership role in improving the states economy. In support of this reason the author cites these statistics: in the past year, most state workers wages have gone up; 5,000 new jobs have been created; and six corporations have located in the state. Another reason offered for re-electing Adams is a recent poll, which indicates that most respondents believe the state economy would continue to improve if he were re-elected. Finally, the author claims that rival Zebulon would harm the states economy because he disagrees with Adams fiscal policies. This argument is fraught with vague, oversimplified and unwarranted claims. To begin with, the statistics are intended to support the main claim that the state is economically better off with Adams as governor. But these statistics are vague and oversimplified, and thus may distort the states overall economic picture. For example, state workers pay raises may have been minuscule and may not have kept up with cost of living or with pay for state workers in other states. Moreover, the 5,000 new jobs may have been too few to bring state unemployment rates down significantly; at the same time, many jobs may have been lost. Finally, the poll indicates that six new corporations located in the state, but fails to indicate if any left. |