I don't feel like voting this election

[DubaiSis]

If Americans actually knew what they wanted and were prepared to do what it took to get there, there would be a revolution. But the fact is most Americans want easy, feel good answers and don't really want to search inwardly to see how they feel. As an example, seriously, when it comes down to it, am I a racist who thinks the one true America is white and Christian and we just tolerate the rest of those people? Disregarding my opinion that you need serious mental health support, you need to start by owning that. You think healthcare and education should be free, as they are in so many other countries? You have to be able to tax for that. You think rich people shouldn't have to pay taxes? You need to be able to deal with the fact that schools may not function and streets won't be plowed. I think far too many people want to say "We're #1! We're #1!" but not address the fact that we are not #1 in virtually any definable category, including, health, education, safety or life expectancy. They want free free free but don't want to pay taxes. Or want no taxes but still expect services. It's time for Americans to become grown up voters. Do your research, figure out what issues are critical to you and vote based on that.

There are online polls out there where you can answer a bunch of questions and it will tell you which candidate/s you most closely align with. But the test in an of itself is helpful because it forces you to decide how you really feel about a bunch of issues.

[zinnia]

In my opinion, John Kasich is the most reasonable of all of the candidates but he seems to be overlooked. I recently contributed to his campaign - the first time I've contributed to a political campaign. And I'm registered as an Independent!

[NWguy]

I'm an Independent as well. I've voted GOP the previous two elections (2012, 2008) and Dem before that (2004, 2000).

I think Kasich isn't capturing the mood of the GOP party right now. They appear to be angry, hostile and fed up (with whatever they're fed up about), and Trump's brash tone of political campaigning appeals to them. Kasich is too low key, too nice for them at the moment.

I'll research third party candidates - thanks for the recommendation. I was hoping that Michael Bloomberg would jump in the race, but he reportedly isn't doing it.

[Sister Havana]

Not voting is definitely not an option for me.

Even if you aren't excited about the Presidential candidates, there are other offices to vote for. You'll definitely have a House race, perhaps a Senate race, maybe other state and/or county races too.

Here is what I always tell my friends who constantly complain about this or that office holder: "If you don't vote, don't bitch!"

THIS!

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by NWguy

I'm an Independent as well. I've voted GOP the previous two elections (2012, 2008) and Dem before that (2004, 2000).

I think Kasich isn't capturing the mood of the GOP party right now. They appear to be angry, hostile and fed up (with whatever they're fed up about), and Trump's brash tone of political campaigning appeals to them. Kasich is too low key, too nice for them at the moment.

I'll research third party candidates - thanks for the recommendation. I was hoping that Michael Bloomberg would jump in the race, but he reportedly isn't doing it.

As a civil rights activist focused primary on 2nd Amendment issues, I am tickled that Bloomberg chose not to run. I find him just as dictatorial as most of the Republicans, on an okay-for-me-but-not-for-thee stance.

But unless Kasich can pull out a win, in which case I will reconsider, it's third party for me this year.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by NWguy

I'm an Independent as well. I've voted GOP the previous two elections (2012, 2008) and Dem before that (2004, 2000).

You have something against voting for winning candidates?

[1964Alum]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

If Americans actually knew what they wanted and were prepared to do what it took to get there, there would be a revolution. But the fact is most Americans want easy, feel good answers and don't really want to search inwardly to see how they feel. As an example, seriously, when it comes down to it, am I a racist who thinks the one true America is white and Christian and we just tolerate the rest of those people? Disregarding my opinion that you need serious mental health support, you need to start by owning that. You think healthcare and education should be free, as they are in so many other countries? You have to be able to tax for that. You think rich people shouldn't have to pay taxes? You need to be able to deal with the fact that schools may not function and streets won't be plowed. I think far too many people want to say "We're #1! We're #1!" but not address the fact that we are not #1 in virtually any definable category, including, health, education, safety or life expectancy. They want free free free but don't want to pay taxes. Or want no taxes but still expect services. It's time for Americans to become grown up voters. Do your research, figure out what issues are critical to you and vote based on that.

There are online polls out there where you can answer a bunch of questions and it will tell you which candidate/s you most closely align with. But the test in an of itself is helpful because it forces you to decide how you really feel about a bunch of issues.

Hear, hear DubaiSis! I happily voted for Senator Sanders in our primary and will proudly support whoever the Dem nominee is. Win or lose the nomination, Senator Sanders has moved to the fore many issues many of us haven't wanted to look at, much less address. But which are very real and very pressing. No, we haven't been Number One for years and years. It's time to face facts and acknowledge that and then take the necessary steps to improve ourselves from within. Perhaps because I have lived in both European and South American countries for extended periods of time, I have seen up close and personal how superior many of the systems they have developed are to ours. Even in Colombia, where I lived for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer many years ago, there is now Universal Healthcare. Public transportation in Europe is a dream and car traffic and emissions are down, down, down. Skies are brilliantly blue such as I haven't seen here since I was a child. Garbage is recycled and put to use for district heating and recently in Vienna, Austria district air conditioning. We are so far behind in these things it is pitiful.

Yes, we could be Number One again if we had the public will and political power to do so. And I am hardly thinking of the way The Donald is proposing LOL!

[NWguy]

Aren't we #1 in college education? Not sure if that's worth bragging about, but I do believe US is the top choice for foreign students to further their education.

I lived in France briefly during the Bush years, and what was surprising to me was how tuned into American politics the people were there. And everywhere I traveled to - Spain, Italy, Germany, UK - I met many young people, who despite the problems/issues we have in America, desperately wanted to come here, some of them told me it was their dream to live in America.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by NWguy

Aren't we #1 in college education? Not sure if that's worth bragging about, but I do believe US is the top choice for foreign students to further their education.

I think you may be missing the point...

[DubaiSis]

Yes, I think the point has been missed. But as far as college education, I would contend there is a gap between interest in and quality of education. Huge Big 10, Pac10, SEC type schools are definitely huge interest, but do you get a better education? Arguable. Going to school in England or Germany (or Iran) would not be nearly as fun, but the actual academics are there. And free. In Germany it's free even if you're a foreigner. I don't know the details like that in other countries. So yes, we KILL it on frat parties. Med school or business school training? maybe, maybe not.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by NWguy

Aren't we #1 in college education? Not sure if that's worth bragging about, but I do believe US is the top choice for foreign students to further their education.

Probably at the Ivy level, yes--at least in terms of prestige, who knows about actual educational attainment? Comparing U.S. educational attainment with other countries becomes very problematic very quickly.

Let's just start at accessibility. We have such a laissez-faire approach to education here. We've allowed the proliferation of fly-by-night for-profit colleges, our bachelors degrees have become watered down and costs to students have soared and access to lower-income students isn't improving.

The Sanders campaign has made some excellent points regarding education. I think we'd do well to join much of the developed world and fully funding higher education. Massive student loans cripple students upon graduation and delay or deny them the opportunity to start families, buy houses, nice cars, etc.--activities which grow the economy.

I think most international students come here for American language and cultural immersion--not necessarily because of the quality of our academics. Ivies and high-end schools excepted.

[TonyB06]

As someone said upthread, too many people fought and died for me not to vote, so I do.

As is also the case, there are no "virgins" in American politics -- those looking for ideological purity are always disappointed. Either vote for whom you like best or against whom you dislike most.

But if you sit at home and don't vote, the rest of us will decide.

[Springishere]

I came out of longtime lurkdom especially to respond to this. I am European (continental, not a native speaker so I hope I get my point across without insulting someone unintentionally) but studied in the US for a while and I found the course work to be very easy. Granted, I didn't go to an Ivy League school but it was a decent state school in the Midwest nontheless. So yes, for me studying in the US was all about the experience (which was fantastic and second to none!), not the intellectual challenge.

As for your pending elections... To quote Joseph de Maistre (I had to Google that): "Every nation gets the government it deserves." But following your elections from the other side of the pond, I think you deserve better than, well, one particular candidate. So choose wisely please. Having said that... We seem to have our fair share of embarrassing politicians in Europe these days as well.

[DubaiSis]

Or another favorite quote, I believe credited to Churchill, "Americans always do the right thing. After they've tried everything else."