America’s two party system has failed this nation. It has transformed what once was a population of discerning voters into a stupefied mass that votes only along party lines.
As the election date draws nearer misinformed voters are dancing out from the woodwork to the sound of the presidential candidates speeches and campaign propaganda. These candidates are modern-day pied pipers who rely entirely on the misinformation their voters receive in order to get elected.
Even as more and more people have access to the internet, they seemingly choose to obtain all their inaccurate information from one, seemingly partisan, news source. While it would take no more than five minutes to uncover the truth — found in statistics, recordings, and transcripts — from an unbiased, scholastically reputable source.
Even as Donald Trump’s past words and actions slowly seep into the spotlight Republican voters remain fervently in support of him as their choice for president. Is it because of his policies supporting the middle and working-class? His long-held conservative beliefs? His history of great economic success? His plan to “make America great again?” His support of women and minorities?
No, it couldn’t possibly be for any of those reasons. If those voting for Trump were informed they would know Trump was once ardently Pro-Choice, and only recently flip-flopped to his present Pro-Life stance.
They would know his proposed tax reforms are projected, by well-reputed economists, to harm the national economy by adding $7.2 trillion to the national debt, while supplying heavy tax breaks for the wealthy, upper class.
They would know at least six of his businesses have filed for bankruptcy. One of which - the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City - recently closed, forcing 3,000 people out of work.
They would know his only plan is to take the once great American melting pot — safe haven for all, a place to strive for and achieve the “American Dream” — into a divisive, unappetizing American cafeteria plate, with walls separating and excluding immigrants, minorities and women.
They would know Trump’s only interest is himself. His supposedly philanthropic Trump Foundation has been suspended. Due to Trump’s illegal use of the Foundation’s donations to pay off politicians and to pay for other legal fees.
They would know Trump has a long history of making racially charged comments. He and his father were sued for not allowing minorities to live in their apartment developments.
They would know Trump is no proponent of women or women’s rights, but I’ll save that for a different column.
Most Americans are extremely moderate in their beliefs. Generally aligning their beliefs slightly to the “left” or “right.” While a majority of politicians are either extremely conservative or extremely liberal. This forces voters’ hands. With many merely choosing to align with the candidate that their party aligns with.
Donald Trump is no moderate, he’s extreme even for Republican politicians’ standards, with a growing number revoking their support for his candidacy.
Hillary Clinton on the other hand, is someone who is moderate. She understands the importance of bipartisan relations. She’s not a political outsider who will cripple this nation with her outlandish and offensive comments. And she’s not trying to push an extreme liberal agenda.
Clinton, more than Trump, is trying to make America a country that is even greater than it already is. A country that supports women, the lower class, and diplomacy with foreign nations.
For Clinton there is almost no misinformation that I could debunk that would make her seem less favorable. She is trailed by ultra conservative conspiracy theories, that would take no more than one’s own common sense to realize their falsehoods.
Hillary Clinton is no saint. But she’s not the liberal devil from hell, who spits on conservative values, that the conservative media likens her to be. She is and has been, for the past 30 years, a sworn public servant; one whose job is to uphold every citizens’ constitutional rights. Something for which Trump has no respect.
If voters were informed they would not be fooled by Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. If voters were informed they would know former Secretary of State Collin Powell also used a private email address for government business.
They would know Clinton was the only Secretary of State who used a secure server to receive those emails.
Honestly, I thought voters in this nation were more discerning than this election has shown them to be. They’ve fallen for Trump propaganda. They are choosing to vote along party lines rather than what is best for this nation.
As a registered independent I cannot, in good conscience, stand in silence while the American public casts a ballot based on the media propoganda they so freely absorb.
Yes, voting is a choice. But it needs to be an informed choice. One that is based on morality, thought and research. One that does not have to align with the political party you are registered as.
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