The Sadness of the Election of 2016

If you ever care to look back, you will see that in this blog, I have tried to tell you who I will vote for in the presidential election and why. This year, I have not written my 25, or even ten, reasons why I will not vote for Donald Trump. I have not done this because I am unable to figure out what he stands for, what his policies are, or what is his vision for the United States.
I can tell you, based on what I have actually seen and heard, that the GOP candidate lacks empathy. You may think he cares about you and yours, but tell me one thing that has led you to believe this. The GOP presidential candidate does not do good works; he has never worked on behalf of anyone but himself. We don't even know if he gives to charity, because we are not allowed to see his tax returns.
He lacks experience in government; you may see this as an asset, but to ask someone to be the leader of the largest nation in the free world is to require that person to be knowledgeable (no, actually, they need to be a genius) about the Constitution, the three branches of government and their power, the budget, military strategy, and history. The leader of the free world needs to know something about other countries and their history (does the GOP candidate know anything about the history and culture of Turkey? India? Ethiopia? Qatar?). To lack knowledge in any of these areas is dangerous; to think you have the knowledge while never having governed could be catastrophic. We, and our children and grandchildren, may no longer have a truly free nation to call home (no joke--I am completely serious).
The GOP candidate has promised many things, but has not actually told us how he will work with Congress to get bills passed and treaties approved (yes, Congress does do this). He has spoken so badly about his fellow GOP that I have trouble believing he will be able to unite the party to do anything.

To be fair, I have heard him say a few things:

"They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” 
Why on earth would you, as a candidate for president, say something so false and so inflammatory? Where are the facts to back this up? [Note:  He will NOT build a wall. He is lying to you. Absolutely, without a doubt, lying to you.]

“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful – I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star they let you do it,” Trump says. “You can do anything. Grab them by the p—y. You can do anything. " 
Do you know any woman? Any woman at all? Would you be okay if someone said they could sexually assault them, and get away with it? Would you allow this man near the person you know who is a woman--any woman at all? No? Then why on earth would you want him to be the leader of the free world? What kind of message does that send to the woman in your life? That they are objects, not real humans? Yup. And, shame on you.

The GOP candidate for president of the United States has also, many times, said things in the heat of the moment, and has had to later retract what he said. He's changed positions on issues--sometimes in the same day. The United States is the strongest nation in the world. It's absolutely terrifying to think that someone as volatile as he is would be commander-in-chief of our military.

In closing, I leave you with this thought:  dozens of military experts have said the GOP nominee would be a terrible leader. Dozens of our "best and brightest" scientists, economists, teachers, and diplomats have said the same thing. NOT ONE of our living former presidents has endorsed him. I cannot believe that, based on all this information and opinion, over 40% of our voters think he should be president. Our ancestors voted for the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt; they wanted the very best for our country. I cannot begin to imagine what my grandparents would think of this man.

Think carefully about your vote. There is a candidate who could do actual harm to many of us; he is running on the GOP ticket. Leave your children, your grandchildren a better world than we have now; make them feel that they are equal in every way to every other person in this world. Vote on behalf of those who cannot--children, the mentally challenged. Vote for Hillary Clinton. It will be our little secret...

A Reasoned Argument

In 2000, I decided to run for local public office. I knew that if I was elected, it would have an impact on my family; I knew they would be subject to greater scrutiny, and I also knew there would be numerous times I would not be able to be with them--evenings, weekends...

I also knew I had to be prepared for questions on specific issues. I knew there would be a public forum, but I also knew that, as I went door-to-door, I would have to answer questions from voters--if I wanted to be elected, I had to be familiar with the problems in our local community. So, I did some reading, and since this was the early days of the internet, I did as much research as I could on-line. I read the local newspaper, and I listened. Wow, did I listen. Our local community is informed, and the voters have opinions. If they asked me a question I could not answer, I wrote it down, and did more research. I also talked to people who were already working for local government; it was good to have a relationship with these people, should I be elected, but it was also good to get their perspective.

Having done all this, I thought I was ready. I thought I knew all there was to know about the office I was running for.

And then I got elected. By forty-three votes.

And I realized, quickly, there was so much more I needed to learn. About my new local office. About budgets, and cash flow, policies and procedures.

So, I dedicated myself to reading everything that was put in front of me. Reading and re-reading it. Jotting down questions. I also signed up for every workshop and conference I could. And, I found out there are some wonderful people who are dedicated to making sure every local public official is as informed as they possibly can be; they want public office holders to be professional and law-abiding.

I loved my job. I loved being able to help people. I loved talking about the issues, and voting the way I thought my constituents wanted me to. I think I did a good job. In the end, it was not enough, and I was voted out four years later. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I tell you this story, because I have some fundamental issues with the GOP candidate, running for president, this year.

Please don't stop reading.

The reason I am writing this is because I want you, educated voter, to consider what I am saying before you cast your ballot.

Please.

I have heard many, many people say they are voting for Trump because, "He's not the same old, establishment candidate." I have also heard people say, "Trump is a great businessman--I have watched his show. He'll be good at creating jobs, and re-negotiating trade deals. He will make our country great again."

First of all, there is a real difference between someone who is "establishment" and someone who has never, ever had a job in government. You might want a "breath of fresh air" in a public office, but it is absolutely irresponsible to vote for someone with NO experience, let alone thinking that the future president of the United States should be such a person. For instance, when I was serving locally, I was responsible for overseeing FIVE budgets. It took me a good six months to grasp what each budget financed, and another six months to remember what I learned. Fortunately, I had six other Board members who could help me as I learned. My vote, my power, was just one of six. I had a cushion for mistakes I might make. The POTUS has no such cushion. He or she needs to be well-versed in policy, laws, and proper channels. If you are elected to city council, or Congress, you get some "on-the-job training" about governmental powers and limits; you are automatically placed in a position where you gain some understanding about separation of powers and how an idea gets funded by a government entity. If you vote for Trump, you are basically voting for someone who has as much governmental experience as you do (assuming, of course, you have never been elected or appointed to office). Is that a scary thought? It should be.
Running a country, state, or city is nothing like running a business. If you are the head of a business, you make decisions based on what is good for you, and for your bottom line. You don't necessarily have to discuss your options with anyone else, nor do you have to necessarily even consider historical trends or future speculations. Once the decision is made, it's over--implemented and making money for you the very next minute. Running a country? It must be like herding cats. First of all, and contrary to what the GOP candidate is telling us, trade deals are negotiated and then have to be approved by Congress. So, you have to have a good working relationship with those elected officials, so they will approve the deal you've worked on. It would be really, really good for the GOP candidate to stop calling people running for Congress "stupid" and "losers". For if elected, he will have to get laws passed by THEM. If you are POTUS, you also have to read, and retain, a vast amount of material. You need to know what is happening in California (wildfires), what's happening in Iraq (we have troops there), what is happening in Podunk City, AnyState (mayors there are threatening to secede from the US). For each situation, you have to know facts, history, and history. You have to know what has worked in the past, who their allies and enemies are, and the historical context for what is going on now.  Finally, you have to think about the impact your decision will have on the lives of others. From what I've heard, and what I have seen, the GOP candidate for POTUS is absolutely incapable of listening to, and retaining information from, anyone else. It's a fact that he has said, "I will take care of __________ for you." No mention of who he will work with, no mention of anyone he will take advice from. This frightens me more than anything else--that a good percentage of my fellow countryman are willing to place their future, and the future of their children, all in the hands of one man. One man, who has never once said he would consider anyone else when making any decision, any time. One man, who seems to be unaware that there are three branches of government, each with their own power (and limitations).

Please, before you vote this year, take some time to think. Turn off the television, shut down the computer, and think. Think about the future. Think about the rest of us--your parents, your children, your friends, and the rest of the world. You should be voting for the best possible person to be the head of this country--the smartest, the most empathetic, the person who will do the best job for us, and the person who will inspire the rest of us to do our best. A person who can get people--all people--to work together. A person who will help us have a better future; one we can all be proud of. Then, and only then, go vote.