Americans Facing Critical Political Issues !

This article is a follow-up meeting that describes my own process of identifying my concerns of critical issues in our current,' Race to the White House". How I begin matching which candidates share my issue concerns and the impacts of hype and news on voting decisions, and conversations on my own independent voting pathway. It appears to me that a pattern of critical issues is beginning to get focused during broadcasts of caucus meetings, at least on urgency rather than just the,"cheerleaders" messages from broadcasters, journalist, and candidate pep squads. Throughout this entire voting process the caucus, debate, and deciding boom of enterprising choices of candidates will at some point come down to two primarty candidates. I do not know how most Americans make their voting decisions but I realized the other day that I actually cared what Iowa, New Hampshire, and every other state had to say about their decision making. I also am very concerned about the impact on voters of the "words" others choose to build a voting declaration around. Hats off to C-Span for the engaging interactive talks about candidates with voters. I have noticed that for the first time since the Kennedy debates , I am taking a very critical look at how all candidates voting records match my concern of issues. I am engaged and listening to all viewpoints because this is a very exciting election process for me.

It is very difficult to weed through all the advertising, remain neutral until I am well enough informed to even cast my vote. Final decision making on who I think will lead our great America into a positive, healthy, and safe status is at times gut wretching. The issues noted in the hype of advertisements, debates, and news casting at times appear to plug certain candidates and deflate others, however positions are reversed the next day. The next thing I know is that candidates are juggling their words; to change positions on issues; which may or may not get them elected. I have noticed that one of the focal points that is being stressed ,no matter the author, is," Winning". It seems that if there is promising glimpses of a "Winner" that everyone is encouraged to switch from who can do the job once elected to who can win. The old saying,"Winning is not everything." of which I do not know the author, may be a critical issue theme for many, but not for me. " it's not the "Winner" -its how they apply themselves and get the job done once elected. Of course if I had my way ,I would get rid of the Electoral College and the Winner would be the popular vote. The popular vote is a critical issue to me if a candidate is chosen for popularity of position, proving record, political and professional hard work but being popular in this election. I do not want this to be like "high school elections", who is the best dressed, has the most money, and speaks around what they have done or will do for this country and their trusting voters. I think just because someone can win or is 3% ahead in a caucus; does not mean that voters have to stop advocating for their main choice and switch to someone else, or does it? After learning that some Americans switch based on who is ahead I decided to talk with my neighbors and see what they were thinking in preparation for our Ohio Caucus in March.

Here are some of the critical political issues that some of us, in my neighborhood, are facing. What are our readers facing in their political decision-making?
Please note that during these conversations about voters concerns; our debates started neutral and once in a while got a little loud but not heated in presentation of issues.Keeping an open mind, being fair, and active listening helped us to maintain our calmness.

1. Critical Issues of policymaking appear second to which candidate can win.

2. Democrats, Republicans, and undeclared neighbors discussed the confusion of what to do if their primary party candidate was loosing a caucus?

3. Many had mixed feelings because there did not seem to be as many "party voters" as "undeclared" voters present ; and they were afraid that
their "political party" choice would be defeated, simply by conversion to who is popular at the moment. Some of those present felt that,"Once a Democrat or Republican;always a Democrat or Republican;regardless of who matched their concern of critical issues. We were split about 50/50 with this one.

4. I brought up my concerns of farmers needing help, vets and their families needing everything promised to them when they enlisted or were mandated to serve tours again and again; of which they can not even get housing, medical insurance, bonuses, have been killed, severely injured, and what candidate willactually help them? Everyone thought those were good concerns but did not know which candidates would actually do something about it? Our farmers and our vets are the mainstay of what America is about, at least for me; so as I research candidates those two issues have narrowed down my choice of candidate preference from 8 to 4, as of this morning, at least.

5. One of the elders in our neighborhoods political discussion said ."her concerns were; a). abortion: she agrees that abortion early in the pregnancy is a pro-choice decision but that partial birth abortion is "killing a human" and when a women is far along in her pregnancy that birth will occur;its no longer herchoice but a child who will be killed.That made me stop and take a critical look at the difference between "early abortion" and "partial birth abortion and for me, that means I have to tie my spiritual values into whether I think any women have a right, a choice, to "partial birth abortion" We all decided that was a private decision so we did not discuss the "partial birth abortion" because it was to painful to even think about.

6.The next issue we discussed was the coined phrases and words used by politicians to engage voters to look at their speech promises more carefully. Examples of these are the words, "Change", "Experience", "Religion, Age, Gender, Race, and of course,"Winners". The first discussion was about,"Change"; yes it was agreed that is important but isn't the "change" we actually want if from "the Bush mentality" to "A Positive American mentality". Yes, many stated that there are candidates of both the,"red and blue" parties that have proven in their experience and life to advocate for positive American mentality but they also use semi hidden messages for negative disrespect to the other candidates. So the question facing us is; which candidate with positive Americanmentality focusedon detailed plans for positive America and who focused on," words that implied negative slams at other candidates' and left out detailed plans for a positive America?" The answer to that question has narrowed our field of possible candidates down even more." It is an emotionally charged discussion when any of the protected classes such as religion, age, disability, race, gender, and lifestyle was mentioned. However, it was brought up that this election of "change" seems to be more about backing candidates that are not attached to the past politics, no matter what party they are running for, but ones who can detach from the,"old guard", and that our young people 40 years old and younger, especially new voters; will determine the next President of our beloved America.

7. "Health Care" yelled out one neighbor, that is a major problem in American, and keeping labor unions, and candidates following through with campaignpromises, solutions in the current war and yet staying out of their civil war, and gun control. It was unanimous in our little neighborhood group that all those critical issues can be promised by candidates but the proof will have to wait until after they take office.After-all, any candidate can promise on the campaign but actually doing what is positive and best for Americans will not be actualized until someone is in office.

I can share with you that all participants shall remain anonymous for confidentiality but it was a great experience for me to openly discuss politics and religionalong with neighbors in a private setting because those subjects have been off limits, except with family, my entire voting life. I was surprised that even those present who felt that issues like gay marriage, civil unions, and abortion and partial abortion were moral issues and declined to stay their position but spoke their mind of choosing to stay confidential. It is my hope that all Americans will engage in peaceful discussions of their choices of candidates and their concern of the critical issues in this election; in order to make the best informed choice for our next president.

Readers; what impacts your political decision making?
Is it possible for all Americans to find a middle ground of decision-making that will lead us to a positive American Mentality?
How all of us decide what will be your Middle Ground?

I would love to hear your comments of my articles and how you decide what issues are critical and what candidate you will vote for ?