Voting Criteria
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
In my Deciding on a Candidate post last week I said that I would come up with a list of criteria for deciding who I planned to vote for in the upcoming election in November. Here is a list of the top five issues that I plan to base my vote upon.
Upholding the Constitution
The presidential oath is a constitutional requirement for each President to take before assuming the office.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.The most basic quality I look for in a President is to do exactly what he or she must pledge to do.
Education
Many of my fellow bloggers have been concentrating on science education. I think it's important, but I think a better quality of education in all subjects is of equal importance. Our children are our future, blah, blah blah. Seriously though, if we want people to make good decisions they have to not just know the facts, but be able to reason through the options.
Civil Liberties
If the government grants a right or privilege to one group, it should be granted to everyone. In most cases I can think of the government should just stay out of private affairs. Enough said.
Health Care
As a society I believe that we should take care of our own. Since the government represents us a society, then I think it's the best way for us to take care of our sick and disenfranchised. Yes, I'm talking about health care for everyone. I don't know the best way to accomplish it and I think there are many issues that have to be addressed before it can be viable, but I don't think people should suffer or die because they cannot afford treatment or an operation. It reflects on us poorly as a society.
Immigration Reform
Immigration is a serious issue for our country and I think that our immigration process needs to be reformed. There are very obviously many jobs in our country that are filled by immigrants and yet we can't address that need within the law. Thus far addressing that deficit has been blocked by nationalism, bigotry against the poor, and racism. Citizens or not, they are people.
There are many other issues that are important, but didn't make my list. I feel like these issues are fundamental and will help in all areas. If you disagree, by all means, let me know in the comments and why you disagree. After all, you have plenty of time to convince me otherwise between now and November.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 1:04:00 PM CST
This is a good list. Have you found a candidate who comes somewhat close to what you are looking for in these areas? A yes or no or I'm still looking is an adequate answer. I'm not asking you to name your preference if you are not comfortable doing so.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 1:17:00 PM CST
I'll probably post my rankings on Presidential candidates soon, but I might as well see if the field is narrowed after today's primaries.
I'd like to post information about local candidates as well, but Vote Smart doesn't have local races up yet. I'll have to do a little more research to see if it's an election year or not for certain offices.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 5:45:00 PM CST
This might interest you in your quest to see which candidate lines up best with your concerns.
But it sounds to me like you are a Barack Obama woman. :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 11:51:00 PM CST
Evo said: ... it sounds to me like you are a Barack Obama woman. :)
Actually, she sounds like someone who might want to vote for me. Alternatively, I might want to vote for her. I'll be curious to see what OG ultimately decides because her views and mine are very similar. I'd lump Civil Liberties in with Upholding the Constitution, and I think that "the Face America Shows to the World" should be up there somewhere (it'll be nice not to have a glassy-eyed grinning chimp representing us any longer among the civilized nations). I also think there ought to be a Government Openness/No Ass-Saving Secrecy criterion as well. But I think her list of issues is top drawer.
And, her campaign slogan could be a palindrome: Go OG! (Mine is: Ex- the bums out!)
What this country needs is more wordplay.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 11:53:00 AM CST
Does it matter to American voters how America engages with the world?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 12:20:00 PM CST
Shefaly, of course we care! I debated whether that should be at the top, but eventually decided that any President would improve our foreign policy, especially considering a President that fit in line with the five criteria I had listed.
But I'd like to hear your opinion on what you think foreigners would like to see from our President. Maybe there needs to be something more specific?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 7:51:00 PM CST
Weird that Shefaly mentions that. I was just going to add that as an expat, how America engages with the rest of the world is at the top of my list. I really want someone who can restore our credibility and win back some of the good faith that we spent dozens of years building as a country, only to have it destroyed completely in 8 years. I care because this issue affects me on a daily basis. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that someone once threw a rock at my head in the name of George Bush and all the "stupid fucking gringos" (in Spanish of course). So obviously I'm looking for someone who doesn't incite rock throwing anger in the rest of the world.
All the issues that you listed are also very important to me. I would keep #1 the same, in that #1 include civil liberties, and then move Immigration reform up the list to #2.