Scientology donor Grant Cardone calls for 'slaughter' of Democrats at MSG rally Tony Ortega Oct 27, 2024

[Type4_PTS]

My opinion is that if you're employing critical thinking, you don't ignore the character of the candidate, because who that individual is will reflect on how they behave in office, and whether or not they will work on your behalf or for their own interests. Party affiliation certainly does not guarantee whether the candidate will or won't perform to the benefit of their constituents or act disgracefully, which happens on both sides of the aisle, and it's lazy thinking at best not to bother to pay attention to who the individuals are (in my opinion).

What you write makes sense. Unfortunately, that's not how things usually work in Washington.

How U.S. Representatives and Senators behave in Congress (and more importantly, how they vote) tends to be influenced more by the political party they're a member of rather than their character. They get intense pressure to vote along party lines. There are exceptions but they are rare.
Additionally, many people of good character entering the political arena get corrupted by the system as it presently is.

I agree with you that the character of the candidate shouldn't be ignored, and I've been unaffiliated with any political party for over 15 years in part for that reason. But, given the nature of the U.S. political system as it is, a strong case can be made that choosing the political party that best aligns with your own political philosophy and/or the party you believe would best serve the interests of the country is just as important as choosing the best individual you believe is best. And doing so isn't an indicator that one lacks critical thinking skills.

 

[Enthetan]

You are making Reyne's point. The party, and/or the person dominating it, are the cult.

Voting for legislators, that’s how you go, because regardless of personal beliefs, legislators mostly vote according to how party leadership says.

senior execs, like Presidents, are more independent, and tend to operate as party leaders.

 

[Type4_PTS]

Voting for legislators, that’s how you go, because regardless of personal beliefs, legislators mostly vote according to how party leadership says.

senior execs, like Presidents, are more independent, and tend to operate as party leaders.

Presidents can be more independent but not all of them are. Some seem to have puppet strings attached to them.

How many people truly believe that Biden is truly running things at the White House?

 

[I M Dex]

Presidents can be more independent but not all of them are. Some seem to have puppet strings attached to them.

How many people truly believe that Biden is truly running things at the White House?

For the most part, no president, at least in the past 100 years, has been the true power, especially where "the economy" is concerned. They may get blame or credit, but they themselves have little decision or effect on their own. And devotees of whatever side will always cherry pick whatever dubious information or argument supports their bias.

 

[Type4_PTS]

For the most part, no president, at least in the past 100 years, has been the true power, especially where "the economy" is concerned. They may get blame or credit, but they themselves have little decision or effect on their own. And devotees of whatever side will always cherry pick whatever dubious information or argument supports their bias.

Some things are beyond the control of a President when it comes to the economy, but he can still do things that have a dramatic effect on the economy, both positive and negative.

1) He can veto legislation passed by the House & Senate that affects the economy or sign bills into law.
2) He can issue executive orders affecting the economy.
3) He can get tariffs applied to products from other countries as Trump wants which can dramatically affect the economy.
4) He can be a puppet for the military-industrial complex, sending many hundreds of billions to Ukraine and elsewhere which drives up the inflation rate as well as other bad effects.
5) He can dramatically reduce the amount of money spent on "health care" and fighting disease in the country via the reforms that RFK JR and others will push for if Trump is elected. The U.S. spends more on health care than any other country but the health of the population has been dramatically declining.
6) The Biden-Harris administration canceled almost 100 executive orders issued by Trump concerning how wannabe illegal aliens are handled at the border. The effect was to create an open border, allowing over ten million people to enter the country illegally. That certainly has an impact on the economy, driving up the cost of housing, driving down the wages for some low-skilled jobs, and in other ways as well.
How the migrant crisis drained $150 billion from taxpayers in a single year
7)) There are other ways the President can affect the economy but what I listed above is a good start.

 

[Type4_PTS]

My opinion is that if you're employing critical thinking, you don't ignore the character of the candidate, because who that individual is will reflect on how they behave in office, and whether or not they will work on your behalf or for their own interests. Party affiliation certainly does not guarantee whether the candidate will or won't perform to the benefit of their constituents or act disgracefully, which happens on both sides of the aisle, and it's lazy thinking at best not to bother to pay attention to who the individuals are (in my opinion).

If you're applying critical thinking when choosing who to vote for here are some additional things you shouldn't ignore:

1) The character of both candidates, including the one you prefer.
2) The record of both candidates and their previous experience relevant to the position they're running for.
3) The skillsets the candidates possess needed for the position they're running for.
4) Their position on the issues you believe are most important.
5) Which political party do you believe will be best at moving the country in the right direction?

I'm sure there are others as well. If anyone thinks there are additional criteria that should be evaluated or that I listed something which should have been omitted, please comment.

 

[Type4_PTS]

If you're applying critical thinking when choosing who to vote for here are some additional things you shouldn't ignore:

1) The character of both candidates, including the one you prefer.
2) The record of both candidates and their previous experience relevant to the position they're running for.
3) The skillsets the candidates possess needed for the position they're running for.
4) Their position on the issues you believe are most important.
5) Which political party do you believe will be best at moving the country in the right direction?

I'm sure there are others as well. If anyone thinks there are additional criteria that should be evaluated or that I listed something which should have been omitted, please comment.

I'm going to move this post above as well as the one I'm replying to into a more relevant thread (like U.S. Politics).