U.S. Presidential Election

[Kobuk]

The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election is about one year away. But if the elections were going on now, who would you vote for and why?

[Firelight]

Dad and I are hoping Bernie wins

[Amducious]

None of them...I don't really care, unless it's someone whose for gun control then there will be a problem (or if it's anyone who honestly sucks)

[HazardJackal]

You're missing an option.  Not voting because you have chosen not to vote.

[Amducious]

You're missing an option.  Not voting because you have chosen not to vote.

yah

[Jackie]

Donald John Trump......... O_O

[Old Rabbit]

You forgot Senator Sanders ..  I like some of his ideas. But with a republican
congress I fear he wouldn't accomplish much.

[T-Yoshi45]

All i really know is that i'll never EVER vote for Hillary Clinton. Cannot stand the woman to put it nicely.

[Takanuva]

I'm too young to vote, (16) but I'd probably choose one of the more moderate candidates like Marc Rubio. Just no Trump or Hillary though, they're a bit too far out.

[Literate Lycan]

None of them appeal to me, even the ones in my own party (Democrat). I dislike the leading candidates in both parties who seem to be getting the bulk of the press coverage while potentially better candidates are overlooked. Now there's a possibility that Michael Bloomberg might run. I'd seriously consider voting for him. If he decides not to run I may just withhold my vote entirely as a way of saying that I disapprove of all of the candidates on the ballot and none are worthy of my vote.

[Old Rabbit]

If we elect a conservative president, and it's likely the supreme court will
need 1 to 2 apointments over the next four years. So you can expect
a shift to the right on decisions.  Off hand I think Trump is the most
moderate of the republican bunch. He has a history of being more
progressive.

Across the isle to a democrat pick.  I imagine we could expect a more liberal
appointment for the court. So that would be more likely to keep it as is or
to the left of center.

I favor a more progressive/liberal government. The U.S.A. is about the only
country in the world that allows private health insurance, and the pharmaceutical
industry to take advantage of people. Especially the working poor.

Also a more conservative court could make life worse for women,
gays, and minorities.  In my opinon anyway.

[Ancusmitis]

deleted

[Literate Lycan]

I too hope that we elect someone who is socially progressive and recognizes that reversing direction on marriage equality and Obamacare would lead to chaos and split this country even further than it already is. I didn't care much for Ronald Reagan's policies but he had the ability to sit down with his political opponents, negotiate, and arrive at a consensus. Now the art of compromise is all but abandoned.

[Storm Fox]

I don't have a preference for anyone running... they all seem like idiots one way or another.
But I'm good with whoever will do away with this aca individual shared responsibility crap and all of the other commu-fascist nonsense that makes demands of people simply because they exist and breathe.

[Natura Wolf]

I'm a UK citizen so can't vote, not that we have it any better XD

[Kain (Asher) Eralf]

I too hope that we elect someone who is socially progressive and recognizes that reversing direction on marriage equality and Obamacare would lead to chaos and split this country even further than it already is. I didn't care much for Ronald Reagan's policies but he had the ability to sit down with his political opponents, negotiate, and arrive at a consensus. Now the art of compromise is all but abandoned.

I'm a Conservative myself, but I definitely agree; we're too busy yelling at each other and calling each other idiots.
We need someone who can get the two parties to act a bit more civil with each other... but that isn't about to happen if Trump or Clinton gets elected. :/ Either one of them getting into the White House would just increase polarization.

Note: while I'm deeply in favor of more civil debates and discussions, I'd like a candidate who won't back down from his positions. It seems contradictory, but you can disagree and still be polite. A debate doesn't have to be an argument.

[Old Rabbit]

Debates are good to see how people react to unforseen ideas. How they
stand up for their beliefs, and to each other.

I feel the president should have good experience with other countries and
their cultures. After all the leader of a country sets forign policy as much
as anything else. It's good to be tough, but not to the point of going to war
over a minor disagreement.

The congress has greater control over economics than the president. He/she
can propose ideas on how we should treat big buisness and regulations, but
it's still up to congress to set the rules.

A president needs to know how to work with other people. Though a dictatorship
would make it easier to get things done, we have a representative form of government.
So it takes compromise to get anything done. If one side or the other refuses to do so
then it's up to the people to change congress or the leadership. Otherwise the
country will be stuck in limbo.

Also we need a president who is willing to accept new ideas, and the public wishes.
Not just their own ideas and beliefs, as long as it doesn't damage the country.
Religious freedom is a hallmark of our country (USA) but laws shouldn't be made
based on religious beliefs. That's why a lot of people came here in the first place.
To escape religous persecution.

[Holt5]

I'm sided with Carson myself. Although he doesn't have the same kind of experience that the other candidates do, I think it's an opportunity for someone to approach the presidential office in a more dynamic manner.

[Literate Lycan]

I've voted in presidential elections since Ford/Carter in 1976 and this campaign is by far the most disturbing of any I've ever witnessed. The sheer nastiness, mudslinging, blatantly impossible and unconstitutional promises, lies, ignorance, and pure mean-spiritedness is unparalleled. I will not name names because nearly all candidates are guilty of this, some much more so than others. Only Kasich seems to have distanced himself from all of it. Certain candidates I believe are so bad for this country that if they win I will give considerable thought to relocating my family to Canada. I have connections there.

[Old Rabbit]

I've voted in presidential elections since Ford/Carter in 1976 and this campaign is by far the most disturbing of any I've ever witnessed. The sheer nastiness, mudslinging, blatantly impossible and unconstitutional promises, lies, ignorance, and pure mean-spiritedness is unparalleled. I will not name names because nearly all candidates are guilty of this, some much more so than others. Only Kasich seems to have distanced himself from all of it. Certain candidates I believe are so bad for this country that if they win I will give considerable thought to relocating my family to Canada. I have connections there.

I know what you mean.  I first voted in 1968, and it is ridiculous how the
candidates are telling such half truths, and makeing impossible promises
this year.

There isn't going to be a wall with Mexico. The bad guys would just tunnel
under it anyway. I do think immigration should be delt with.  I remember
President Regan saying he would like to see better control of the boarders,
but didn't think it would ever make it through congress.

The same for single payer heath care. Even Trump says he doesn't
want anyone dieing in the streets on his watch. Something needs to
be done about the costs of health care though. That and pharmaceuticals.

Another big cost in government is "Pork"  Our friendly legislators are allways
looking for ways to buy votes.  I have heard of Billions being wasted in Pork
barrel projects. We need to fix the infrastructure, Roads, bridges and such.

Obama proposed infrastructure repairs in 2012 if I remember right, but the
congress did little for it.

I know government spending needs control, but letting the country go to
pot, seemingly just for politics is a bad thing. It's no wonder people want
change.

I hope whoever wins turns out to be a moderate. Extreemes to the right or left
almost always does more harm than good..

[HazardJackal]

Link to an old article...

Three years later, and now it feels darkly relevant somehow.

Let's just hope that this isn't the future...

http://forums.furtopia.org/furry-role-playing/vice-head-of-state-for-kobuk!!!!!/msg925896/#msg925896

[redyoshi49q]

There isn't going to be a wall with Mexico. The bad guys would just tunnel
under it anyway.

There are already tunnels.  The fact that tunnels already exist makes the notion of building a wall to stop illegal immigrants seem rather insufficiently thought out.

Another big cost in government is "Pork"  Our friendly legislators are allways
looking for ways to buy votes.  I have heard of Billions being wasted in Pork
barrel projects. We need to fix the infrastructure, Roads, bridges and such.

This video goes into why problems such as that of politicians' perpetual focus on reelection exist in US government.  While the video doesn't touch on the subject of pork specifically, pork is incentivized because federal money spent on local issues can help local politicians maintain favor with their local constituents (who have the power to keep said politician in office); when almost every politician does this, though, the aggregate financial cost is very, very high.

[xracecar]

I cannot vote, too young, bu here are my thoughts on the winning candidate. I dislike Trump a lot. He's deporting Mexicans back to mexico (illegal ones) and mexicans have tacos. I like tacos, and therefore I dislike Trump.

[Kobuk]

There are already tunnels.  The fact that tunnels already exist makes the notion of building a wall to stop illegal immigrants seem rather insufficiently thought out.

Now drug dealers are using small submarines to transport their contraband to the U.S. from South America, the Caribbean, Central America, and elsewhere.

[Old Rabbit]

I think most of what Trump says is to win primaries. He seems to have
the GOP worried. They are spending millions trying to pull him down.


As long as there is a market for drugs, guns and stuff, legal or not there will be
those who find a way to deliver it. 

Actually I think a good wall would be a wide bed of thick cactus, and
microphones to pick up people cussing and saying ouch.