Barack Obama Vs John McCain: How to Vote Responsibly in the Upcoming Election

You may have heard that we have a Presidential election coming up in the United States. When November 4, 2008 comes around, how will you decide who to vote for as our next President? Will you vote based on one issue or on a number of issues? Will you vote for the person who seems "Presidential" or the one who seems trustworthy? John McCain or Barack Obama?

When I was younger, I was more captured by the superficial traits of candidates and never took the time to learn about the issues. I regret that, but have tried to remedy it by consciously evaluating every vote we have for every election, Presidential or otherwise. Living in the United States gives us the right to vote for our government officials. It's easy to take for granted, but take one look at the current situation in Zimbabwe and you'll see just how lucky we Americans are. Included with that right should be an inherent sense of responsibility. You are responsible for your part, however small, in the selection of our government and our President. If you don't like the way things are going, you have the chance to stand up for your point of view. But, please be informed when you vote. And, please be tolerant of those who disagree.

These are the tips that I've used to try to retain neutrality between the Democratic (Obama) and Republican (McCain) parties. I'm certainly not perfect at it, and get swayed by unimportant items far more than I'd like. But, if I can remember these tips, it helps when I vote. These tips will also help you vote responsibly.

1. Be very skeptical of the media, whether print, radio, or television

Very few media sources are truly impartial and don't favor one party or candidate over another. They usually present facts, but not always all of the facts, and they are often presented with a spin. There is big money for media that favors one party over another. People will tend to absorb their news, especially during a Presidential election, from the media source that tends to reaffirm their views.

It's a business, so I can't blame the media. They want to make more money. And, they are not without any merit. But, it's important to ingest their "news" with a keen eye and a questioning intellect. If a news program cites statistics of one sort or another, think critically about the results. What is behind the statistic and how could it have been manipulated? Try to keep your perspective open and consider the context.

2. Be very skeptical of your family and friends' opinions

Like the media, people usually have their own agenda. And, sadly, if you do a little research with an open mind, you'll probably be better informed than most of your family and friends anyway. Unfortunately, things can get a little emotional in a Presidential election. We all know die-hard Obama or McCain supporters who will not be tolerant of other points of view. In these cases, it may just be best to smile and nod. They will not understand any reasoning you give for voting for the other candidate and will not open their mind to the possibility of switching their allegiance.

3. Don't fall for the act, for what is "cool", and don't give into emotion

Obviously, this item will mostly describe Obama during this election. He is an incredible speaker and appears to be a rock star on tour. Conversely, it seems that McCain is not nearly as eloquent and charismatic as Obama. Charisma and public speaking ability may be important for a President, but it shouldn't drive your decision in the absence of other factors.

On the other hand, there is no question that McCain has served his country admirably, but like Obama's charisma, that shouldn't be the only factor considered when evaluating McCain. If his views don't match with your own, then his service to our country won't help him meet your needs as our next President.

4. Determine what issues are most important to you, study them and learn how the candidates view these issues

Both McCain and Obama have websites with readily available information on their views regarding a variety of issues. Take the time to peruse these sites and learn a little more about the Presidential candidates. You may not need to read Obama and McCain's views on every issue, but at least take the time to review their outlook on the issues that are of most importance to you.

5. Don't let unimportant factors determine your vote

For instance, don't vote against Obama solely because of his race. Also, don't vote for Obama for the same reason just to appear enlightened. McCain's age may be more of a legitimate factor, but again, it shouldn't determine your decision, whether you think his age is an advantage or not.

In some cases, you'll have to determine which factors are important and which are not. Obama's church affiliation and McCain's alleged temper are two examples. Depending on your views and your analysis of the situations, these may or not be issues in the Presidential race.

These tips will help when deciding which candidate to vote for in any election. However, with an important Presidential election drawing near, I hope people who read this article will do some research with an open mind and be in a position to make an educated vote for our next President. You only get to vote for your President every four years... take advantage of your rights as a United States citizen and make it count!