Sketch by Christine Burney, Anyone Can Be Propagandized – Think for Yourself
Although I know that many have already voted, I am writing this piece more for the purpose of cathartic expression and simply to celebrate the close out of this election. Here are some of my major thoughts on the current top candidates’ stances as well as some of your thoughts, which I asked for in preparation for making this article, followed up with some links to check out our candidates on the Georgia ballot as well as a quick quiz to help you determine who you sway more toward when it comes to the facts.
In my life, I have been exposed to extremes of every kind from societal to governmental, religious to economic. I have been friends with the poor, the wealthy, people with general religious associations and people with the most rigid of religious associations, people of nearly every color and gender association, and those who speak entirely different languages. What I have learned is that in all their differences, the diversity I have experienced has given me a larger perspective and orientation of the world as a whole, and this growth of understanding is literally a treasure. To be able to see the good and negative of both sides of a matter is essential for making a profitable and progressive decision about anything. The most American thing one can do is to allow someone to challenge your viewpoint. To disagree is not to be against each other but rather for. So, I encourage you to, before using your own biases to dismiss people, listen to their argument. It is mostly when people refuse listening that the worst of ignorance turns to violence.
The biggest issues to me:
The Poor
Fortunately, since I have been connected to the poor in various ways all my life, I cannot forget about them or act like the problem of poverty does not exist. As much as I do not think that social welfare programs are the answer to everything, they helped my grandparents take care of my three siblings and I when my parents were battling some serious personal issues in their lives. Social Security, Welfare, Medicaid helped us with clothing, food, medical attention and even provided braces later, allowing some form of normality when being poor closed off many other opportunities. I do not believe in taking advantage of them unless they are absolutely needed, but when they are, we need to have structures in place to help the poor through tough, perhaps unexpected seasons. Democratic policies on social programs aid families, children and the elderly, which can sometimes represent the weak portion of our country, the lifeblood as well as the history of our country.
Babies
While I absolutely believe that people should be allowed to make choices when it comes to their lives, I do not believe that this should be handled so carelessly or without restraint. I don’t think that the federal government needs to be paying for abortions at all; if it is a private decision, it should be paid for privately. I also do not think there is enough serious education on the adverse effects of abortion, both emotionally and physically. To abort something is literally to terminate its existence. Many people see abortion as the murdering of a life and side with Donald Trump for this reason alone. Many side with Hillary because she wants women, the ones who have the babies, to be able to choose for themselves.
Taxes
I do not think that punishing the wealthy for their or their parent’s or grandparent’s success is the solution to poverty. I do think that they should have to pay taxes and it’s weird that some don’t, but if we’re going to say fair, taxes should be in percentages. If you charge 3% to the poor, 3% to the rich would be appropriate and fair, because it is in proportion to their earnings.
Foreign Policy/Military/Classified Document Handling
As a person who has been in the military, in wartime, with a job that required me to handle classified documents, this is one of the issues that hold up a red flag for me. The proper handling of classified documents is important because it has to do with information that could threaten various levels of national security, if publicly exposed. To not properly handled such documents is a disregard for the safety of this country.
Immigration
I do not think that people should just be able to come into the states illegally and stay. Especially, since there are so many who have come the hard, legal way. But, this is a very sensitive subject affecting a large percentage of Americans and like so many issues that are so interconnected with other issues, this cannot be handled without careful thought and care to the delicacy and fragility of families involved. If it is illegal, it does need to be corrected.
Gun Control
A person should always have training before touching, owning or operating a weapon or they are the danger to everyone else. People who are not allowed to fly because they are on a sensitive list as a possible terrorist or those psychologically unstable – should not be able to buy a gun.
Hillary Clinton (Click link to see her stances on key issues)
Design by Erin McManness, of Paper Raven Co.
Why I’m voting for Clinton…
Taylor Honestly- the candidate I align with most is Clinton. Though I’m truly not happy about either of them- nor do i honestly expect much out of them, because my hope is only found in Jesus. Not a candidate. Lol. But This is going to sound funny, but this is what decided my vote… It truly encompasses the culture these two will bring into the white house.
Jordan I choose to vote for Hilary because I believe in women’s rights. I believe in the rights of the minorties, and those of the LGBT community. All of these people that Trump has torn down, assaulted, segregated, or will wage a war against once he is president. He with his own words is a man who sexually assaults women and is proud of it. When he speaks of making America great again he means it in a way that he wishes to make it great for the white man again, because the white man is losing his power. In the past the white man held power over us all. Over women, over blacks, over mexicans, over native americans. But that is not our America any longer. If we wish to continue to grow and change in a positive forward manner we cannot do so with a man that would take us backwards in time. And most of all, I am voting for her [my daughter]. Because one day I will have to tell her she is a child of rape. One day she will learn how much I fought to keep her against the Pro-lifers that believe in all life, save for those concieved in incest or rape. One day I will have to show her how to hold a knife, how to carry her keys when she is alone walking to her car at night, how to use a gun, how to scream for help. And one day she will know NONE of those things saved her mama or her aunt or any of the other thousands of men and women who are traumatized by assault and rape every year. And most of all I do not want a man who has broken so many women, who is facing charges of harming a child to be the leader of our country. How can we as women feel safe in a country led by a man that promotes and finds humour in sexual assault and rape????
Image courtesy of Jordan Cole
Erin I am voting for Clinton because I believe in her policies and what she has shared with us about her vision for America. I would like to share my reasons with you. I am voting for Clinton because I believe climate change is real and needs to be addressed; it’s not a Chinese hoax. I am voting for Clinton because I am a small business owner and I believe that, while her economic plans may have shortcomings (as ALL plans do), she will fight for the Middle Class, not for the 1%. I am voting for Clinton because she will not elect a Justice who will overturn Roe v. Wade. I am voting for Clinton because she will not undo Women’s Rights. I am voting for Clinton because she is running her race on her own ideas, rather than just telling us “it’s gonna be great, you have no idea how great it will be.” I respect her because she is willing to share those details with the American People. I am voting for Clinton because she has indeed faced so much scrutiny, and has addressed the concerns of the people, rather than whining about how everything is “rigged” against her – that shows true leadership. I am voting for Clinton because she believes – and has a record of taking action to support – the equality of all ethnic groups in our country. I am voting for her because she does have real experience in the situation room, and I believe she would think twice and value human life before launching nuclear warheads. I am voting for Clinton because my ACA premium did go up – from $165 to $267/month – and she has a plan to address that (and I will be shopping the marketplace). Furthermore, on ACA, I am okay paying a little more so a family living in poverty can send their small children to the doctor so they don’t get sick. Call me a socialist, I call it being a decent human being and caring for your fellow man, no matter their gender or skin color or religion… something this country has largely forgotten, and something that the Trump campaign embodies to a frightening degree. I am voting for Hillary Clinton because, despite her emails, I believe she will lead this country ahead in a future of equality and continued democracy.
Donald Trump (click link to see his stances on key issues)
Sketch by Christine Burney, Make America Great Again.
Why I’m Voting for Trump…
Martin I’m voting for Donald Joseph Trump as President of the United States because of the prophetic words spoken over him from the prophetic voices of the church…Hillary Clinton improperly handled classified emails. Unintentionally or not it is a violation of federal statutes. If it would have been you or me; federal prison time would be happening.
Susanne I like trump to build up the military and to boost the economy and he’s pro-life I care about the unborn. I like Hilary because she is a woman and I’d like to see a woman president she has a lot of experience I think they both really care about people…If I have to choose republican or democrat I am going republican because I am pro-life and I agree more with the republican standing for traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Sarah Trump for the babies and the babies. I am a one issue voter.
Kevin Trump is not under FBI investigation Clinton is.
Nadine Bottom line: I will never vote to kill babies. And I stand for our constitution, so should our Supreme Court justices.
Sarah Supreme Court Justices….bottom line in my opinion this is the #1 reason to vote for Trump
Lorrie Trump – Pro Life… God – Pro Life!
April I could never and I do not believe that any Christian should vote for someone who believes it’s okay to kill the most innocent of us all an unborn baby. It’s sick. This above all else is why I’m voting for trump.
Maggie For me, I am voting for Trump. Knee-jerk response on the whole children issue. That . . . and I feel hope right there. Someone with a voice who is willing to look stupid at times but has his own voice. I would like us all to experience what it feels like to have our own voice again. Think that could be good for everyone. I don’t want people silenced out of fear or control. Even if I really don’t like what they say. I want everyone to have a voice.
Anya This interview helped me. Also I like “vote for the platform, not the person.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mciMqqleqDQ&t=44s
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Erin It’s sad to me that people vote for Trump based on one issue… That Trump has proven to not know a thing about. Pro-Life sounds good on paper, but people are willing to vote for someone who will rip apart millions of immigrant families with mass deportation… What about those families?…When people claim to be Pro-Life, it’s really a misnomer. Because Pro-Life is really just Pro-Fetus. Once that baby is born, people who proudly tout Pro-Life badges are historically the most likely to oppose programs that help children and families who are minorities or who are living in poverty (look that up)…See also: https://ourbulgarianadoptionstory.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/you-say-youre-pro-life-but-are-you-really/
Michayla As a foreigner, who is unable to vote, it has been breaking my heart to see a dividing line on something that technically isn’t a presidential issue. I’m all for life and against abortion, but there is also so much more to this…There is poverty, immigration, health care, education, equality and treating people like human beings. There needs to be more love in action.
Brian If people don’t want to take the time to go read about each candidate’s stance on the issues, this quiz is a good way for people to figure out where they side. I strongly advocate that people become more informed and A) stop voting based on a single issue, B) understand the issues, and C) vote for the candidate they align with – not who their parents or friends necessarily voted for.
Ultimately, we all have our own voice for a reason. Use yours. And, think for yourself.