As GamePolitics reports, Mitt Romney has added video games to the list of things supposedly destroying our children. As he states in his new ad “Ocean,”:

I’m deeply troubled about the culture that surrounds our kids today… I’d like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming. I’d like to keep pornography from coming up on their computers. I’d like to keep drugs off the street. I’d like to see less violence and sex on TV and in video games and in movies. If we get serious about this we can actually do a great deal to clean up the water in which our kids and grandkids are swimming.

He elaborates further in a July 19 press release:

While the current system of voluntary self-regulation of video games has improved, we still need to do more to protect our children. There must be strong punishments and fines for retailers that sell violent and sexually explicit video games to minors.

One can’t help but to chuckle at these sort of things. After all, politicians look rather goofy when they treat video games like cigarettes and alcohol. If anything, video games should be embraced as a viable way for parents to connect with their children and become part of their lives.

Nevertheless, this ad raises some serious questions that need to be addressed by Mitt and the other presidential candidates if they wish to talk games.

1. Does regulating the sale of video games fall under the responsibilities of the President of the United States?
2. If certain parents fail to ensure that their children only have access to age appropriate video games, then is it the government’s responsibility to force retailers to assume their role at the checkout counter?
3. According to the ESA, the average video gamer is 33 years old and around 70% are over 18. Does it make sense to attack companies for producing certain games, that while violent, are clearly appropriate for the majority of their customer base?
4. In light of available research, can one honestly claim that video games are causing children to engage in acts of violence?

Of course, these questions should all be answered with a resounding “no.”

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to create a blog that provides commentary on politics, technology, and the electronic entertainment industry. While I’m a gamer at heart, I’ve also spent time working in Washington DC with various conservative organizations. Unfortunately, conservatives and many on the right largely ignore gaming issues. It’s my hope that through this blog I’m able to provide not only good commentary, but also questions that provoke thought and stimulate discussion.