If you can vote, who will you vote for; if you can't, who would you want to vote for?

I would vote for Rubio or Kasich
I took a few political test on where I land in the political spectrum and I pretty much 60% conservative minded, I'm in the middle but slightly toward the right side. I visited all of the candidates' website at least once.

This is how I currently view the candidates:
Democrats:
Bernie Sanders - Too far left side. I'm not saying this because I slightly agree more with conservative views, I'm saying this as a generalization: whenever one is too far left or right side, there are always flaws. We've seen this throughout American history. However, I do like how he has specific plans for this country right now. Though, I see two issues about this. 1) He won't be able to pass half of his plans with republicans on the other parts of the branches. 2) He doesn't seem to have a specific priority list for all of his many plans. Also his age is an issue with me. Being president is one of the most stressful jobs there is and with his age, I'm not completely sure if he can physically and mentally handle that. I'm also not a fan of raising minimum wage to $15. It's to my belief that jobs that people earn less than $10 in are meant for high schoolers, or part time jobs for some extra money. It's not meant to be lived on. Raising the minimum wage can result in many things but a few points stick out to me. This can result in job loss. For companies to receive compensation from the tax increases proposed and increase in wages, they would have to cut jobs. Companies would also be more tempted to move to LDCs for more profit. I am also not a fan of common core. I have seen terrible teaching, and weird, useless, methods taught in the classroom because of this. Not a fan of common core at all....

Hilary Clinton- Flip flops between many issues, lies to the public, acts in her own self gain. Not a fan at all. People say she has years of experience as a positive. But guess what, quality > quantity. Someone can have 10 years of leadership but yet do nothing, act like a jerk, act more like a boss than a leader (there is a big difference between a boss and a leader). You can also have someone with 5 years of experience, and in those years, he/she has done a lot for the community, acted like a real leader, respectable, he/she have been with the people and helped, he/she got things done, etc. If you were to pick the person with 10 years and the person with 5 years, who would you choose?

Republicans
Donald Trump - I like his confidence and charisma. Though overconfidence is an issue with him. I also don't like many of the things he says (I'm writing this while watching the news of his rally being canceled due to violence...). From blaming, to immature name calling, etc etc. I also don't like how he's so vague with everything he says. It's basically "I know the best people, I own multiple hotels in multiple countries, make america great again..." He doesn't say how he will deal with issues (exception being the infamous wall border) and he doesn't speak of any specific plans. He also thinks that since he's a business man, he will instantaneously make deals with MDCs like China, Japan, Britain, and also some LDCs. Negotiation for business is one thing, but diplomacy is a whole different thing.

Cruz - One of the things I mentioned in my opinion of Sanders' is that [Sanders] is too far left. In this case he's too far right. I don't agree with many of his stands on issues and policies. I have to give him credit for making a pretty good attempt to unit the party and he's the leading politician in the RNC against Trump.

Rubio - I like the history he has. He has roots from poor and is inspired by the American Dream. I agree with most of his policies and opinions of certain issues. I like the whole leaving behind a legacy for our children, and for the future of America. Though, I don't like how he started with immature attacks on Trump approx. two weeks ago. Though recently he's been pointing out real flaws of trump (i.e trump university) instead of his hand size. I also don't like his Senate voting record. I do understand that during campaigns, it is expected to drop but he has a more than average absentee record. I don't think it's that significant as Cruz has the same record but I would have to do more research on this.

Kasich - He's not charismatic like the other candidates. I find him a bit boring when he talks. He does seem like the adult on the stage sometimes (actually in the last debate, it was actually more civilized so each candidate looked equally like an adult). I find him to be an alright person, somebody I would vote for if Rubio drops out. He's also not extreme right and I agree with some of his opinions on specific issues.


I'd like a good debate and if we do debate, please no harsh feelings. I respect everyone's opinion, I just don't want any negative thoughts between us because of this .


Oh yeah I forgot:
Vermin Supreme: 10/10 best candidate. Ifan, would like free pony asap.

 

What a well written and thoughtful opinion. I think you just changed my world view with that comment.

 

Thank god, Hillary should be in prison and Bernie Sanders is a Nationalist Socialist and is a Nazi.

 

What do you think of Trump and his way of gaining supporters? What do you think of the issue that he incites fear and panic? Also have you seen this?

Why do you support him? Just curious

 

He's a communist and a Nazi (Fascist)? - You do know those two groups hated eachother bitterly?

--- Double Post Merged, Mar 11, 2016, Original Post Date: Mar 11, 2016 ---

I <3 Frank

 

Nazis were fascists. They are on the opposite side of the spectrum of socialism. In fact, the only reason they were called socialists is so that they can appeal to voters, but they weren't actually socialists. Socialists believe in political freedom, and Nazis didn't. Plus, Sanders says he's a democratic socialist. He believes in more government regulation over markets, sure, but he also believes in democracy. When you look at his political views, they align pretty well with the Democratic Party. I hardly call him a socialist simply because his views don't match everything a socialist is. Nazis supported more economic freedom. Socialists don't. Nazis are authoritarian and tolerate no political freedom. Socialists believe in political freedom.

For the record, Nazis were reactionary. They were what political experts consider "ultra conservatives". They are basically the opposite of radicals. They wanted to recreate the German Empire and inspire German nationalism. They used fear and scapegoating of minority groups to gain national support. They blamed Jews, gays, gypsies, (and a few other groups) to rally up the majority groups of the country. People like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz put blame on Muslims, gays, and immigrants to make people believe it's their fault America isn't as "great" as it used to be. Hitler took advantage of an economic crisis in Germany to gather as much support as he can. He knew that in desperate times, he could control the masses with fear. That is exactly what some Republican candidates are trying to do. Hitler knew that he can take advantage of the fact that the majority of Germans are Christians and use it in his favor. Hitler knew that he could turn fear into power. They made people believe that a minority of Americans are suppressing a majority.

And for the record, if you want to educate yourself on what a socialist is and what a fascist is, take a look at this map.

 

I'm ultimately for Bernie, I just would rather have Rubio win than Trump

 

@Deinen I feel bad about this thread Deinen, we were off to a good start on the first page, we were all civilized enough and mature where we could actually have a friendly discussion about real world politics and our differing views. Now I believe this thread has fallen apart because although some people are trying to keep this in a serious tone (and I thank all of you who respected the no insulting policy) and follow the rules laid out in your original post, most people have started acting quite rude to other people's' opinions. If possible I would like to try to keep this going but in a closed chat sent only to those who you believe are mature enough to not start jumping and criticizing each other's viewpoints but rather who can listen with open ears and open minds to other people's opinions around them.

 

here: https://www.isidewith.com
(i dont know if anyone posted this before but here)
This is a site where you can take a survey or 'quiz' on who you would most likely vote for in this election. My school is doing this, and on Wednesday, they will announce who the whole school would rather vote for. And it really helped me understand political issues and such and helped me decide what my opinion was on it. I'm saw some 'well my parents are..' so heres this link and decide for yourself who you should vote for
I got 87% Bernie so

 

My god the trump rally i was at at UIC went insane by violent trump protesters who support Bernie

 

http://abc7chicago.com/politics/donald-trump-cancels-uic-rally/1241331/

I believe that what happened at UIC is very similar to what you see all over the media now days. People are becoming more and more self focused and do not want to be open minded to those with opposing viewpoints. Rather many people, and some on this very forum, would rather silence and ridicule those who have differing viewpoints. I am not sure about most of you but I for one am a person who believes in this quote. "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." -Evelyn Beatrice Hall. I will stand up for your right to speak even if it makes me want to rip my eyes out and I would want you to return the favor. Unfortunately, I know their are people who do not want to listen to this and instead blot this from their minds. To these people all I have to say is that I will say a prayer for all of you that you may learn to have compassion towards your fellow man and that you may find peace not in oppression but rather in understanding.

 

Okay, I'll bite: How do you get the impression that this country leans way too far to the left?

The Democratic Party is viewed in the context of the rest of the Western democracies as a slightly left-of-center party, our Republicans are pretty far to the right compared to most mainstream conservative parties, and as a result, we as a nation skew to the right. This is why our taxes are lower, our social safety nets are far weaker, we bend over backwards to support corporate interests, we incarcerate more of our people than anyone else in the world, we engage in frequent military adventurism, and religion keeps showing up in government functions despite the fact that the Constitution explicitly says it can't. These are all right-wing features.

The signature achievement of the Obama administration is health care reform. The bill that was passed bears a striking resemblance to proposals first made by conservative think-tank Heritage Foundation in 1989, was backed by a host of conservative Congressmen, including Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in 1993 (as an alternative to Hillary's project at the time - two Senate bills were proposed by Republicans in 93-94 which contained it), and made its first appearance into US law when Republican Governor Mitt Romney signed such a bill into force in Massachusetts in 2006.

The individual mandate is a right-wing solution that constitutes a massive giveaway to the insurance companies, which is why everyone is complaining that their rates are too high. The only left-wing concessions they contain in exchange are that the insurance companies have to accept applicants with pre-existing conditions and can't terminate people because they develop an expensive condition. And of course, the government carved out tax breaks and other incentives for people to sign up, and all that money goes straight to the insurance companies, much of which they gamble on Wall Street.

Actually, the government has been redistributing wealth since the advent of Reaganomics. The tax cuts and breaks have predominantly gone to the wealthy. Government policies have also played a key role in the escalation of the costs of health care and education, and the stagnation of wages.

The tax code didn't become overly complicated because of poor and middle-class people. Nearly all of those exceptions and loopholes were written by the wealthy, for the wealthy.

It's difficult to reconcile the notion that this country values hard work on one hand, yet taxes labor income at a substantially higher rate than capital gains.

As for your projections of an economic future with Bernie as president, the economy is largely service and consumption based. Just raising the minimum wage puts money in the hands of people who haven't had enough, and they're going to start spending it on things they've needed/wanted but put off buying for a very long time. That becomes an engine that fuels greater US economic activity, creating jobs. That's a far better use for that money than putting it in an investor's portfolio, to be off-shored and tax-sheltered, or pumped into the next Wall Street bubble.

--- Double Post Merged, Mar 12, 2016, Original Post Date: Mar 12, 2016 ---

I wanted to circle back around to this one. I've had one response already to this, where I accepted the premise that the ideas are what matters, the "how" is not important, and focused on the fact that he has some really bad ideas. The second half of my response is, I fully reject the premise. I'm a big believer in the power of questions, and immediately after "What?" and "Why?", the question of "How?" is of primary importance.

For example, let's say I propose to add lighting to your dark room, and I further add that I could have it ready for you in about ten minutes. That's a big, Trump-like claim, and it sounds great, you could really benefit. How? By going to the end of the street, stomping on the gas, and driving my truck right through your wall.

Does it sound like a bad idea now?

Imagine you've already given me the go-ahead to pursue my idea before asking "How?", and you'll understand the impact of voting for Trump. Sure, you can vote him out again in four years, but the damage is done.

 

If trump is elected, I'm moving out of the country.

 

Good, pretty sure America is better off without close-minded people like you.



http://m.imgur.com/OVl0Op5
^^ xd!

 

@DarkKnight49x Don't you think that is a tiny bit pessimistic? I mean when Obama was voted in, my family was really mad (especially when he won the 2nd time) but we stayed.

 

TRUMP

 

indeed it would, indeed it would

 

Look who's calling people closed minded.

 

I live in Australia so I can't vote for ur president.
At the start I looked into and there were some of the smaller people I liked the look of.
All are now out of the race and I am jumping on the Trump Train.
I am not saying I like trump but the Australian press thinks Trump, Sanders and that women all have problems and we have given up on you guys getting a good president (not that Tony Abbott was any better).
In Australia we often compare trump to Hitler. It is exaggerated but there are similarities seen in trumps rallies.
Trump wants a wall. He made people pledge to vote for him. He could stand on the street and shot someone and he wouldn't lose any voters.
I am going where the power is and going to hope for the best xD.

--- Double Post Merged, Mar 14, 2016, Original Post Date: Mar 14, 2016 ---

BTW do you agree with him frying his bacon on a gun and eating it?

 

You're thinking of Ted Cruz... They are on like complete opposite sides of the political spectrum. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump are both running in the same political party.


And yes. Ted Cruz actually wrapped bacon around a gun and cooked it.