We are less than six months from the presidential elections of 2016, and I have absolutely no idea what to do.
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We are less than six months from the presidential elections of 2016, and I have absolutely no idea what to do. Unfortunately, a growing number of American voters feel the same way.
On one hand you have a candidate who I believe has pushed us back 40 years as a nation, just by running.
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On one hand you have a candidate who I believe has pushed us back 40 years as a nation, just by running. He’s brought out the very worst in people and made it ok to say the dumbest, most hate-filled, inflammatory things possible. He has emboldened many, whose opinions and bigotry should have been left on the scrapheap of history, to come out of their hiding holes to spew their trash.
On the other hand, you have a candidate whose decision-making, honesty, and integrity we have questioned when it comes to national security and foreign diplomacy. Now she hasn’t exactly locked up her nomination, but it appears to be inevitable at this point.
So what the hell do I do now?
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I would consider myself a left of center moderate, with libertarian (small l) leanings. I want my government to leave me alone, but I don’t want to ignore those in need. I want us to stay out of foreign wars and nation building. I want us to end the failing war on drugs, and focus our attention on helping people instead of turning them into criminals.
I want a nation that accepts people of all nationalities, religions, races, and backgrounds. Not one that points at those same individuals as the root of all of our problems. I also want to be safe and smart about who we allow in our borders without being xenophobic about it.
I believe in patriotism over nationalism.
People have different reasons for not supporting the two candidates considered frontrunners. It just isn’t a liberal or conservative issue; all ideologies have people that simply don’t want to vote for the choices we’ve been given.
Character Matters- Most voters who are in the position I am in boil both candidates down to an underlying theme. They have little or at least questionable character. They are elitist that will only continue with the status quo. Candidates who can’t be trusted and who are bringing nothing new to the table.
Feeling Swindled- A lot of my friends, and most people I talk to feel as though we’ve been force fed these nominees. Either by political party tricks or by the fact that an angry faction hijacked the process. Now we are expected to fall in line and join the pack behind someone we probably wouldn’t invite to Sunday dinner to lead this nation.
Most elections lately come down to this choice; you have to vote for candidate A, or candidate B will win.
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Lesser of Two Evils- Most elections lately come down to this choice; you have to vote for candidate A, or candidate B will win. You end up voting against someone instead of for someone. My grandmother called that “cutting your nose off to spite your face.” Why can’t we have another option? Why does it have to be two?
Pure Desperation- If you understand the issues that are truly hindering this country, then you also understand that our top two choices aren’t going to help at all. In fact, you most likely believe that almost anyone would be a better option. The word I use for what I feel is desperation, a need for someone to emerge to save us from this unmitigated disaster.
Disappointment- Yes, I am disappointed in the choices I have. I am more disappointed in the voters of this country who believe these were the best two options. I am disappointed that they couldn’t tell the difference in quality candidates and what we find ourselves left with now. Mostly I am disappointed in people falling for fear mongering when it comes to electing our next President.
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These are just a few of the reasons. There are other reasons, much more complex than what I’ve laid out here. The real question is still what are we going to do about it?
There are of course other third party options. The Libertarian Party seems to be the most poised to take advantage of the situation. Unfortunately, they have a track record of getting in their own way and alienating voters who don’t agree with them 100%. Most of what I hear from Libertarians is that I am not Libertarian enough to be in their Party. Even still, depending on their candidate, I am not ruling them out yet.
So I, like others think it will take something drastic, daring and almost impossible.
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So I, like others think it will take something drastic, daring and almost impossible. A last minute candidate that can garner enough support to turn this circus completely around. There are names out there, and there are plans and ideas, it remains to be seen if any of them are plausible and executable. I’m willing to try.
We are at a crossroads right now, so many voters are considering casting votes they never deemed possible even six months ago. Many are even deciding not to cast them at all. That is a sad testimony to our process.
I would like the option to cast a vote I can be proud of, one that years from now I can admit to my grandchildren that I made. From where I am sitting today, that doesn’t seem likely.
But is it possible?
Source: 30dB.com – %23NeverTrump vs %23NeverHillary
About these results: While the sentiment and vitriol on both Hillary and Trump are about equal the volumes on each tell a fuller story. #NeverTrump opinions are over 6X the #NeverHillary opinions. — Howard k. 30db
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Photo: Flickr/angela n.