Team Red or Blue, if you think choosing the next American President is easy then you haven't given it enough thought.
My favorite color is purple for a reason. I like to understand voter motivation from across the political spectrum and that is why I find this election a tough call. Pundits say there a stark differences between the candidates and voters have a distinct choice to make. I believe they are right, but that doesn’t mean that either choice is a good one. That is why I won’t give anyone any grief for their choice, everyone has their own compromises to make. Besides its a secret ballot - people are going to do whatever they want behind the curtain any how.
If you believe that voting for Harris is a no brainer, I bet it probably has more to do with who she is running against, than the record she is running on. While the U.S. economy is in a much better shape than here in Canada, the once in a generation inflation many suffered through during Biden’s presidency left people in serious financial pain. Those scars haven’t faded from memory quickly. Biden’s initial decision to cut energy production with the cancellation of the Keystone pipeline caused energy prices to skyrocket. He did release strategic oil reserves later to reduce the pain at the pump, but for many it was too late. Now there is concern, that Harris will go full on green once in power and prices will rise again.
As for the border, Harris now sounds like Trump in wanting to beef up security, but her record on that file screams that the recent flip flop is only election pandering. I also have serious concerns on where Harris stands on geopolitics. Will, she support Israel, Ukraine and or Taiwan. She keeps saying she is not Biden and that she represents a new way forward. Since she doesn’t do interviews or give specific policy answers, voters are left to draw their own conclusions. I suspect she will appeal to the youth in her party and leave Israel to defend itself. I believe that will cause even more instability and violence in the Mideast and thus is a huge mistake. So is doing more of the same in Ukraine and funding a perpetual stalemate. Eventually a deal is going to be made between Russia and Ukraine - I do have much more confidence in Trump making peace in that conflict, than Harris.
The one issue that I do agree with Harris on is abortion and the right for a woman to choose. But even for that I recognize what’s done is done and I am okay with individual states making their own laws based on what the people decide.
If you’re a Trumper and there is no way you would vote for the “radical left” - do you really trust that Trump has your best interests at heart. One of his first big acts as President was to make tax cuts at both the personal and corporate level. While that sounds great - fiscal conservatives were rightly alarmed about the ballooning of the national debt those tax cuts caused. If you cherish your social security, medicare and medicaid - the Trump cuts made funding those expensive programs all the more difficult. Now in a higher interest rate environment a significant amount of spending just goes to servicing the debt. If Trump wants to extend his tax cuts in 2025 or even make them bigger, even a populist like him will have to succumb to fiscal reality and cut something you need. You okay with that?
In past elections Trump did better with women voters than many pollsters expected. I am not sure about that this time. While I like the States now deciding abortion law, I’m sure I am not the only man a who is convinced Trump would not sign a federal abortion ban. I expect a lot more women worry if his flip flopping on the issue now is election pandering too.
I have stated my concerns with a mentally unfit man remaining on as President. Well at least this is case for 6 months. Do you want that to be extended for another 4 years? He’s not the same man he was in 2016. In his first ever debate, Trump eviscerated an over confident Hillary Clinton. Back then Clinton did try and bait him, but he was too sharp. That was not the case last night. He could not resist being mocked by Harris and it cost him a very winnable debate. At the widely successful Republican convention, it was Trump who ended it on a sour note with an extremely long, rambling speech. After surviving being shot he had an open net to have the country warm up to him and show his humanity. Instead, just like his assassin, he shot wide and let his mean, vindictive and divisive side take over, blowing a chance to win in a landslide, no matter the opponent.
Now I know many will point to their concern for democracy or Trump’s convictions for why they would never vote for him. However, they are of little concern to a Trump voter and only a minor consideration for myself. For me it’s all about policy and the direction the next President will take America and the world.
It’s not an easy choice, but luckily voters still have some time to ponder. I have explained my choice and prediction publicly since I was inspired by a future President in 2008.
It sure seemed a lot easier back then.
Written By 100% Content of Gregory Cawsey
Comments
Thanks for your comments.