After two years of not using this blog I decided to start it up again with a different theme. One about politics, and some of my likely naive suggestions for the 2012 and future presidential races. Here is my first suggestion.
I believe that the RNC should have each candidate or his staff write up a list of answers to the 20 most “important” issues of the day for Republicans. These issues will be written by the RNC, and while some might conclude there is bias as to the choice of questions, I feel the RNC cannot be overtly biased without disenfranchising many voters. They also have other means of creating biases that are better than this since the candidates can answer this any way they choose.
1) It will draw political debate back to the issues. Currently, political debate is mostly about the candidates, their character and their electability. This is important, but there is so much less discussion about the issues now. The Republican Party stands for one thing, the Democratic Party another. Many of the discussions I have been in and have seen have only barely brushed on the issues, saying something along the lines of Santorum supports the Department of Education, and think that is a sufficient attack on why he should not be president. The issues are clearly underdeveloped in political debate in general currently, and many people have difficulty taking stances on issues. These opinions can both start discourse between different candidates actual beliefs, as well as help people formulate opinions who are not sure right now.
2) Many people do not have the time or resources to find a candidate’s opinions on every issue. Even if they do, many candidates historically have issued seemingly contradictory statements on issues, or people are unsure as to what their opinions are. As a result, if I believe my strongest issue is abortion, I really don’t know what candidate to vote for in the status quo, because I am not sure who has the most similar beliefs to me. A voting record makes sense, but as many people are fast to point out, people vote different ways on bills for a plethora of reasons, and so the voting record is insufficient to truly determine a candidate’s stance. This will make their opinions clear, and like my last point help people form opinions meaning we have both a more thoughtful and more educated group of people voting. At a minimum, it will get more people to research candidates. I know many people who right now have said they don’t follow politics because it is too confusing. With only one website to find everything you need to know to make a more informed decision, I believe it is a good start to get more people educated.
3) It will ensure if candidates change their beliefs they have strong reasons why and make flip flopping extremely obvious. Currently, flip flopping is seen as a problem, which I do not believe it should be.The problem is it not being justified. Opinions change, I’m sure yours have since you were 8. The question is why. If it is because it polls better, then you’ll see them struggle to write an answer. If it is because they truly care you will be able to see it in their post. They also won’t be as rushed into flip flopping since you will now need to justify your new opinion. And opinions shouldn't change that much during the campaign trail.
4) It will make sure candidates have truly thought about the race before they entered. Single issue candidates are great in small doses, but if they become the leader of the race, we prefer if they have thought about the whole range of issues as a presidential candidate must have. Caucusing is great, it shows your organizational ability; let’s see your ability to think first.
5) It will help single issue candidates. Many candidates might not have a strong advocacy on certain issues, and could be educated by other candidates. If I am a strong abortion advocate, I can help one of the candidates on that issue and let them run on that platform for me. I can actually physically help educate a candidate about an issue, or help them defend the issue as their abortion spokesperson. In addition, if your issue didn’t make the top 20, you will realize that you need to do a lot more work to put it into the minds of the people.
Other issues:
Time Commitment: Overall, these 20 issues will not require too much writing, as most of these candidates have written books, and they can be recycled for newsletters, support for future candidates and for discussions on forums- materials that the candidates are providing all the time. In addition, if everyone is required to do it, it doesn’t cost you days on the campaign trail since everyone is doing it.
People might feel disenfranchised from the RNC if their issue isn’t one: First, I would argue the top 20 issues would cover almost any of the major disputes between and within parties, and if your issue isn’t one of them it would make it obvious you need to campaign to change that, instead of currently believing it matters. I mean… if the top 5 issues are barely talked about in political debates, and yours isn’t in the top 20, it’s nice to know you need to do something. In addition, it will at least spark debate about what the top 20 issues should be, and help candidates realize that they need to change their campaigns due to responses to this.
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, October 16, 2008
US - Brief talk on updates to presidential issues
One of the issues both candidates for US president had been campaigning for was about lower gas prices. It has also hurt US and abroad manufacturers of cars, tourism, and the airline industry, as well as a myriad of others.
Recently, gas prices have declined, 35 cents in two weeks. This is after all the layoffs in the auto industry, the closing down of many auto plants, and the stopped production, of hummers, and full size trucks. Now, these companies are wondering if they changed to early, and likely airlines are wondering about if their shifts were correct as well.
Another issue that the presidential candidates will have to deal with is global warming. There are still many people who doubt, it saying that a vast majority of greenhouse gases are water vapor, and the CO2 fluctuates, barely based on people at all, mainly volcanoes. Hardly going to stop doubters, and probably create more is an article also from daily tech stating that Alaskan glaciers have grew for the first time since almost when they have started collecting data on them, although they are still down about 15% since the 1700s.
The third and final issue for today is the recession. This is a major issue, including the trillions of US dollars the G-7 and other countries have poured into major banks, and the securing of loans for the banks. Everywhere is worried about a U.S. recession, including New Zealand which talked about how all sectors of the U.S. economy is down this year, and consumer spending was down 1.2 percent from one year ago.
It will be interesting to see if the two first events affect the candidates at all, and how they will deal with the economy in the future, as we have already seen McCain try to skip a debate to help work out our economy, and Obama's plans to how it can be better.
Recently, gas prices have declined, 35 cents in two weeks. This is after all the layoffs in the auto industry, the closing down of many auto plants, and the stopped production, of hummers, and full size trucks. Now, these companies are wondering if they changed to early, and likely airlines are wondering about if their shifts were correct as well.
Another issue that the presidential candidates will have to deal with is global warming. There are still many people who doubt, it saying that a vast majority of greenhouse gases are water vapor, and the CO2 fluctuates, barely based on people at all, mainly volcanoes. Hardly going to stop doubters, and probably create more is an article also from daily tech stating that Alaskan glaciers have grew for the first time since almost when they have started collecting data on them, although they are still down about 15% since the 1700s.
The third and final issue for today is the recession. This is a major issue, including the trillions of US dollars the G-7 and other countries have poured into major banks, and the securing of loans for the banks. Everywhere is worried about a U.S. recession, including New Zealand which talked about how all sectors of the U.S. economy is down this year, and consumer spending was down 1.2 percent from one year ago.
It will be interesting to see if the two first events affect the candidates at all, and how they will deal with the economy in the future, as we have already seen McCain try to skip a debate to help work out our economy, and Obama's plans to how it can be better.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Palin and decency
A Recent article about Palin today made me think. Although this is probably true, I feel that the author is a little to biased in the editorial against Palin. He talked about how just because something legal doesn't make it right. That is true, as we have seen over the centuries, with slavery and persecution, but the author is not the one to judge if something is right. If it should be made illegal, let legislation in the future be brought up to make it.
Although this was pretty bad, it was at least trying to talk about the issues, whereas the spoof. I realize the article is made to make fun of her, but really is the
"In addition, President Palin also signed an executive order banning abortions and legalizing rape and incest 'So we can populate our country and have our babies the good old fashioned Alaskan way'." really necessary? Even staunch Obama supporters in my opinion would not want this comment posted, its demeaning to anyone, let alone a governor who could be our vice president. The entire article could be more of a joke and less of spite:
President Palin said this of Mr. Putin. "I looked in his eyes and saw a kindred soul. You betcha we had some very useful discussions about how to deal with the liberal elitist press and with annoyin' legislatures. He gave me some great pointers, and now that darned state trooper who we've been out to punish is layin' in a hospital with his hair and teeth fallin' out. And in the next bed is that feller who headed that darned 'troopergate' investigation."
Really? Disagree with her on issues, don't insult the integrity of her and husband with the insinuation that her husband would put people in body bags. I might not support the Republican party in this election, but I feel that the least the media can do is show all 4 of the candidates the basic respect all humans deserve. Much of the criticism directed at their campaign has been their avoidance of the issues, and the fact Palin had offered only one interview into late September, maybe if the media showed them respect then it could be an actual debate of the issues, the promise both parties made at the start.
Although this was pretty bad, it was at least trying to talk about the issues, whereas the spoof. I realize the article is made to make fun of her, but really is the
"In addition, President Palin also signed an executive order banning abortions and legalizing rape and incest 'So we can populate our country and have our babies the good old fashioned Alaskan way'." really necessary? Even staunch Obama supporters in my opinion would not want this comment posted, its demeaning to anyone, let alone a governor who could be our vice president. The entire article could be more of a joke and less of spite:
President Palin said this of Mr. Putin. "I looked in his eyes and saw a kindred soul. You betcha we had some very useful discussions about how to deal with the liberal elitist press and with annoyin' legislatures. He gave me some great pointers, and now that darned state trooper who we've been out to punish is layin' in a hospital with his hair and teeth fallin' out. And in the next bed is that feller who headed that darned 'troopergate' investigation."
Really? Disagree with her on issues, don't insult the integrity of her and husband with the insinuation that her husband would put people in body bags. I might not support the Republican party in this election, but I feel that the least the media can do is show all 4 of the candidates the basic respect all humans deserve. Much of the criticism directed at their campaign has been their avoidance of the issues, and the fact Palin had offered only one interview into late September, maybe if the media showed them respect then it could be an actual debate of the issues, the promise both parties made at the start.
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