I think I'll vote this year, who should I vote for? And Why?

originally posted by: sirlancelot
Just my two cents. Firstly a vote for Johnson or Stein (have no chance to win) is a de facto vote for Hillary. Secondly Hillary will continue and advance what Obama has started and IM that isn't a good think on many levels. Look at our Taxes, Healthcare, Foreign Policy, Safety, immigration, and a bunch of other issue's and what Obama has done has made us less safe, less prosperous, more taxed, worse healthcare options, and the list goes on and Hillary will continue the Obama agenda and add her corrupt twist to the equation.

No Trump is certainly not the best last option but as a father he supports school choice, He supports less taxes and regulations, he supports enforcing illegal immigration, he is for limiting those that wish harm to enter our country, he does not have the iou's to corporations and foreign entities that Hillary has.

Trump imo is the lessor of all the evils and the fact he pisses of all the democrats and most of the gop tells me he will do more for Americans then any of the other #ty options!

Just a curiosity, but why is a vote for a 3rd party canidate a vote for Hillary, specifically.

Couldn't the 3rd party crowd swing a swing state for either political party?

originally posted by: lordcomac
There's not a single good option running. Anyone who supports the TPP (Isn't that everyone now?) isn't for the people.

Trump has been extremely vocal against the TPP. He's called it a "horrible deal," the American "job killer," "an idea worse than NAFTA," "Insanity," and the "rape of our country." I say this as a Trump guy, but also with the knowledge that he's the only candidate who hasn't waivered one iota on this issue, if opposing the TPP is an important issue for your vote this year, Donald Trump is your only option as a candidate.

originally posted by: JoshuaCox
Half of every countries economy is socialism. No country has even attempted a 100% capitalist society.

I think a democrat president will be blocked if they try and say , raise min wage. Trump the republicans will not be able to unite against.

He'll look at immigration, 3/4ths of the No amnesty republicans instantly flipped when trump just hinted he would do that.

I hear you, I think Trump would want to do the right thing to the best of his knowledge. I don't think that knowledge is sufficient yet but, he could actually up his game and surprise everyone.

I don't see Hillary surviving this so, I am imagining a Trump administration. The best we can do is try to get solid constitutionalists into his cabinet. It would be great if he would look into Austrian economics and have proper economic advisor instead of witch doctors.

originally posted by: burdman30ott6

originally posted by: lordcomac
There's not a single good option running. Anyone who supports the TPP (Isn't that everyone now?) isn't for the people.

Trump has been extremely vocal against the TPP. He's called it a "horrible deal," the American "job killer," "an idea worse than NAFTA," "Insanity," and the "rape of our country." I say this as a Trump guy, but also with the knowledge that he's the only candidate who hasn't waivered one iota on this issue, if opposing the TPP is an important issue for your vote this year, Donald Trump is your only option as a candidate.

And TPP is bad for sure but, that's because it represents the global regulatory state, the opposite of free trade which never comes from legislation. So, the reason he's against it reveals his misunderstanding of the colossal benefits of unfettered trade. We can easily compete with any states which employ high tariffs or isolationism. The trick is to best supply the demand (and not just consume the supply) which is what entrepreneurs do.

So, Trump is right for the wrong reasons and that worries me.

a reply to: Cosmocow

Hi I'm new here and need to express my chose for our great nation. Dalai Lama, he is a true leader. Ok, he's not a natural born cit. Well who we have now was born in Kenya so.... Dalai
Lama wants harmony in the world, to bring love and compassion, end hunger, and make the world a better place for all. These two fools are just ego's that want to be stroked. Please don't vote for them. Help spread the word for the Dalai Lama for president.

Third Party all the way. I keep forgetting the Constitution party guys name but he has more character than Hillary and Trump combined. But I really like Jill Stein and Gary Johnson.

a reply to: Cosmocow

Watch some Trump rallies on YouTube, don't watch him on media clips because they cut clips out of context to make him appear different and change his messages.

If your concerned about your child's future if stay away from liberal progressive policies.

Had your "son" decided his actual gender identity yet?

Stupid # like that question soon will be asked for school registration.

a reply to: Cosmocow

Vote for anything but Hillary.

I don't care who you vote for as long as it isn't Hillary.

a reply to: Cosmocow

People are going to tell you this election is important, and their candidate is the one who will save America.

I'm going to tell you the opposite.

It doesn't matter who you vote for this year. I don't say this because of some conspiracy about the election being predetermined. I say it because it really and truly does not matter. This is probably the least consequential election in the countries history. The candidates are part of this reason, but the surrounding political landscape is another part.

Lets start with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Both of these candidates want to take you to war, they both want boots on the ground in the Middle East. Trump wants closer relations with Russia and to distance us from China while Clinton wants the opposite.

That is their single foreign policy disagreement, it's basically stationing troops in the South China Sea or stationing troops in Ukraine and Turkey. Neither of these outcomes are good for the US. Relations with Russia means not being a European oil/natural gas contributor which means losing influence to Russia in that region. Relations with China mean recognizing their claim on the South China Sea.

Next, on economic policy they're basically the same. Trump and Clinton both want to raise taxes on the wealthy, and lower them on others. The real difference is in who they add tax loopholes for. Hillary likes the current capital gains loophole while Trump favors a long checklist of smaller breaks.

On education it's two people who went to elite schools their entire lives, sent their kids to elite schools, and have probably never even set foot in a public school. Both are utterly clueless. Their college plans do differ though. Hillary wants the US to cover some/all tuition like we did back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's while Trump has very little in the way of plans, but seems to want to make colleges issue loans rather than the banks.

On immigration they are identical. Don't let the talk of a wall fool you, there's already a wall and it's already mostly built. The southern border also isn't where most of our current illegals come from... they come by plane from Asia. Trump and Clinton currently have an identical immigration policy which is a path to citizenship and kicking out those who break laws beyond simply being here. They differ slightly in what the path entails (amount of fines, number of years a resistent, etc) but it's basically the same thing.

Now lets talk about third party candidates. Voting third party is either a choice to ease your conscience or part of what you're hoping is a strategy by society overall. You're either casting a vote but choosing to not support a major candidate (usually as a protest, but some people legitimately like 3rd parties) or you're in a state where it's guaranteed to go to a specific candidate and you would rather do something like have your vote count for diversity in the parties rather than count for nothing. New Hampshire is basically guaranteed to go for Hillary this time around, so your vote is symbolic at best which makes 3rd parties more appealing.

Last, lets talk about the other factor in why who you chose doesn't matter: The political landscape. There's certain age demographics on the members of the Supreme Court, basically this means that the next 4-5 justices who retire all share something in common, they're all the left/centrist members of the court. Considering that the justices need to be confirmed by congress, this means it's very unlikely the court will be able to move left in the next 2 decades (regardless of your views on the matter). Instead it's going to move further right, the only difference is in how fast it moves. This is going to happen regardless of who is elected now or in the future.

The other side of the issue is that of Congress. Neither party wants to work with the other, the House and Senate can't some to reconcile any bills lately. The Senate is almost certainly going to the Democrats this time around, and the House is 50/50. Even if both houses of congress end up Democrat though, it's not going to be by a large enough margin to create a super majority which means you should expect the next 2 years to involve a lot of filibusters in the House. The legislative branch is going to do nothing, and that means the President is going to do very little.

So all of this brings me back to my first point. If you're going to vote this time around (I would argue it's better to not vote) then base it on whatever arbitrary criteria you wish. Whether that's rolling a die, flipping a coin, voting your conscience, saying you voted for the first woman, or saying you voted against someone. Pick whatever reason you like. Your vote literally does not matter this time around.

Oh, and one more thing. You were hoping I could convince you to my candidate. I can't do that though because I haven't decided who I'm voting for yet. It's not the debates that are going to change my mind, it's likely going to be a whim in the voting booth. I live in Ohio, the one swing state that might go for Trump. I could legitimately vote in either direction here and have it matter. I could vote for someone else and it would matter too. The percentages right now are:
33% not voting
10% Trump
12% Clinton
25% Johnson
20% Stein

I see reasons to vote and not to vote for all of them.

a reply to: Aazadan

You can not claim the candidates are identical especially on immigration and the 500% increase in Muslim refugees that Hillary wants.

originally posted by: xstealth
a reply to: Aazadan

You can not claim the candidates are identical especially on immigration and the 500% increase in Muslim refugees that Hillary wants.

The number of immigrants we take will be out of the Presidents hands. International deals will force us to take them.

In other areas of immigration they aren't identical but they are very, very close. Trump was radically different on immigration for a short time in his campaign but his historical stance and his current stance both align, which happens to be pretty close to what both Obama and Hillary want too.

a reply to: Cosmocow

It's true, all you are going to get here are opinions...And after reading a few of these opinions, I can say you are not getting very good advice...These people aren't dealing with facts...Seems they know nothing about either main candidate...

Waste of time to vote 3rd party...They don't stand a chance of winning anything...

Clinton is a known habitual liar...Proven time and time again...Proven by the FBI, proven by Congress...She was on the Watergate investigating operation against Nixon...She was fired then for lying and hiding information...

Clinton says she will follow in Obama's footsteps...All she has to do is learn to play golf...Clinton's biggest fundraisers are Saudi Arabia and other terrorist supporting countries...That ought to tell you something...

Clinton want to tax big, rich corporations into the ground...But what Clinton knows and Trump knows and I know is that these filthy rich corporations don't really pay taxes anyway...When their taxes go up they add that cost to their products...They don't cut any profits...And that higher cost goes to you and me...Higher taxes on big business gets paid by us, not the corporations...

Clinton still supports giving our military weapons to Al Qaeda and ISIS...Then they use those weapons to kill Americans...

Actually I don't have time to fill you in on this issue...It would take hours...Do yourself a favor and go to Trump's website and read what he stands for and proposes...Don't believe what you see on tv...Read it for yourself right from Trump...

If you love America and your kids and are worried about their future, you'll vote for Trump...

originally posted by: JoshuaCox

originally posted by: Cosmocow
I am 40 years old, male, and live in New Hampshire. I am a single father of a wonderful 8 year old boy. His future is now weighing on my mind these days. I want like all parents want, what will be the best possible future for my son.

I have never really been into politics, know just the basics about politics, am a registered independent voter, but have never actually voted before. With all the hoop-la this year, I have decided that I will indeed cast a vote this year, I have been mulling over whom I should vote for and have been looking for opinions.

These are my view so far:
Donald Trump: Not the medias or anyones ideal choice for a candidate. Outspoken, not "politically correct", but often vilified by the media or anyone in Hollywood. Claims to be the candidate for change but is running under the GOP umbrella. No sure what to think of The Donald, I only watched a few episodes of the celebrity apprentice, but I kind of liked it.

Hillary Clinton: Never really liked her. Like i said was never into politics but remember her under Slick Willy's watch. For some reason, I didn't like her, and that was just my first impression just from seeing her on TV. Not sure what her real political achievements are but i know she has been in politics well after being First Lady, she was a NY senator, ran for the POTUS slot but Obama got it, SOS, now trying to be POTUS again. The name "Clinton" to me for some reason is almost like a crime family name. Throughout my years I have heard numerous theories regarding the Clintons but nothing seemed to stick, always reminded me of Teflon Don.

Johnson/Weld: No clue about theses guys other than Weld. Once i was at a Beanpot game at the old Boston Garden and a few seats over and rows back was then Governor Weld. Seemed like a down to earth guy drinking a beer and watching BC destroy Northeastern.

Anyhow, i really am torn of who to actually vote for. The first time i think i want to and there are no actual candidates who seem worthy enough to get my vote. Could I vote for the Clinton Dynasty, it seems as if its been them or the Bush's pulling the strings for decades now. Could I vote for the Donald? The media and all of Hollywood are telling me not to? But all of my relatives in Kentucky are telling me to vote for him. Or do I say eff it? And vote 3rd party?

I am looking for that one argument that solidifies my vote, whomever side it comes from...all opinions are welcome!!!

Trump. He will destroy the evangelical conservatives hold on the GOP. Raise min wage and change Obama care to single payer.

Are you lying intentionally, or just stupid???

Ok...so what I've taken away from asking is:

1.) I am an idiot for asking. Go back to sleep. Blah Blah.
2.) Go do your research and decide for yourself. (Part of my research is asking opinions of everyone else)
3.) Anyone but Clinton
4.) If I care about my sons future vote for Trump

I already was and now am leaning more towards Trump...is that bad? Time will tell...

originally posted by: JoshuaCox

originally posted by: sirlancelot
Just my two cents. Firstly a vote for Johnson or Stein (have no chance to win) is a de facto vote for Hillary. Secondly Hillary will continue and advance what Obama has started and IM that isn't a good think on many levels. Look at our Taxes, Healthcare, Foreign Policy, Safety, immigration, and a bunch of other issue's and what Obama has done has made us less safe, less prosperous, more taxed, worse healthcare options, and the list goes on and Hillary will continue the Obama agenda and add her corrupt twist to the equation.

No Trump is certainly not the best last option but as a father he supports school choice, He supports less taxes and regulations, he supports enforcing illegal immigration, he is for limiting those that wish harm to enter our country, he does not have the iou's to corporations and foreign entities that Hillary has.

Trump imo is the lessor of all the evils and the fact he pisses of all the democrats and most of the gop tells me he will do more for Americans then any of the other #ty options!

Just a curiosity, but why is a vote for a 3rd party canidate a vote for Hillary, specifically.

Couldn't the 3rd party crowd swing a swing state for either political party?

The DNC is not nearly as diverse as the GOP is. The GOP has your establishment (RINO) who are the majority and then you have your conservatives (Tea Party) and the fear is a conservative gop voter may shy away from Trump and go with Stein or Johnson. The other thing to look at is the electoral college which suggest that Democrats already have a advantage with large states like California and New York almost always going democrat.

Im no expert but from most of what I have read leads to a vote for third party takes away from a GOP (Trump Vote) Even if the third party candidates took evenly from Hillary and Trump Hillary still has the advantage.