Rational Voters
Adrianne Robinson
3/24/15
[Edition 1, Volume 1]
What do I Look For?
What are important factors I need to know in
choosing my vote?
What did you do?

Many people understand
Before looking at the
Hello, my name is Martha
that it is their responsibility
actual candidates, it is
Cook. In the most recent
as a citizen of The United
necessary to determine
presidential election, I did
States of America to vote,
your opinions and social
hours of research to ensure I
but many people worry
and political views. There
that they do not know
are countless problems in
enough about politics or
America and politicians
the candidates to make a
take specific stances on
made the best decision for
my vote. I don’t have very
many strong opinions
politically, so when looking
at the candidates I make
sure I would be okay with
In order to determine which candidate you
should vote for, you should understand the
troubles in our country and the solutions each
candidate offers.
their plans. However, I
have strong opinions on
immigration and gay
marriage. When I
researched the candidates, I
decided I agreed more with
good judgment and an
the majority of the issues.
Jeff Jacobson. He wants to
educated vote. Because of
In order to determine
make sure illegal
this attitude, many people
which candidate you
immigrants do not receive
who could influence the
should vote for, you
election outcome and have
should understand the
important needs and ideas
troubles in our country
do not vote. Although the
and the solutions each
citizenship. He also shares
upcoming elections are still
candidate offers. Some of
my opinion that gay
over a year off, it is not a
the top problems are:
marriage should be
bad idea to start
researching the options.
-Debt/federal budget
-Unemployment
-Immigration
the same benefits as legal
citizens do, and also
increase the number of
immigrants granted
permitted but the definition
of marriage shouldn’t be
changed.
-Legalization of drugs
-Gay marriage
-Education reform
-Healthcare
-National Security
-Terrorism
-Poverty
-Gun control
The next step is to do some
research on these popular
issues and determine your
stance. Depending on your
views, you will agree with
some candidates more than
others. The difficulty in
reality is that each
candidate will have some
points you agree with and
some that you don’t. That
is why it is important to
determine which issues are
most important to you and
which candidate takes steps
to improve it.
Many people align
themselves with either the
Republican Party or the
Democratic Party. It is also
very common for people to
be split between parties.
Do not worry if you are one
of those people. It might
make your voting decision
slightly more difficult
(because you agree and
disagree with both
candidates evenly), but you
are also more likely to be
happy with either
candidate as the elected
president.
Raise Your Republican!
What to expect from a Republican candidate.
It is first off important to
color is red and their
mention that not every
symbol is the elephant.
republican candidate will
Generally, Republicans
reflect all of the
believe that taxes
stereotypical republican
shouldn’t be increased
views. It is still important
and that all people should
to research the candidates
pay the same percentage
and understand their ideas
in taxes no matter how
and views because each
much income they have
and support a death
person will differ.
(flat tax.) Republicans are
penalty and the right to
However, it is generally
more focused on individual
bear arms. Republicans
fairly safe that in the broad
rights rather than
agree that private
spectrum, republicans will
community rights. They
companies are more
all share the basic
are more likely to increase
efficient at running health
fundamental views.
military spending and
care systems than the
support a free market
government. They also
where the government
think immigration reform is
doesn’t regulate the market.
necessary and that illegal
Most Republicans oppose
immigrants shouldn’t be
gay marriage and abortion
granted the same legal and
Republicans are also
referred to as conservatives,
right-leaning, or the Grand
Old Party (GOP). Their
medical benefits as citizens.
gay marriage and allow
accepting the penalty for
They do support legal
abortion. Democrats are
coming to America illegally.
immigration, because they
fairly evenly split on
think it enriches the
supporting the death
Political Traps
country and they are
penalty, but most
Being aware of deceit.
forgiving to those who
candidates will not support
have broken immigration
it. Most desire stronger
laws in the past.
Media has a huge influence
on the voter population,
however it’s not always
Democrat Dreams
reliable information.
Understand the Democrats.
Political ads and public
debates can be helpful, but
Similar to Republican
are not always the best
nominees, not all
judgment calls on what the
Democrats agree on every
solution and each
candidate should be
gun control laws. They
agree that the government
candidate stands for and
supports.
should regulate programs
There are four common
such as a universal health
strategies in campaign ads.
care, including Medicare
The first is to make their
and Medicaid. Democrats
opponent look extreme or
The Democrats also have
think that immigration
demonize them. The
nicknames such as liberals
needs to be reformed and
second is similar in that
or left-leaning. Their color
most importantly, think
they use their opponent’s
researched sufficiently to
understand their views and
opinions.
is blue and their symbol is
own words against them.
the donkey.
The third uses the
candidate’s background
Democrats typically want
stories and experiences to
to increase taxes, especially
connect with the voters of
for the higher income
America. The fourth shows
population. They base their
the candidate interacting
ideas on community
betterment rather than the
benefit of individuals, and
favor high government
regulation in the markets.
Democrats usually desire to
decrease military spending.
In most cases they support
with normal citizens to
that the already illegal
show they are on the
immigrants need to accept
peoples’ side. Although
responsibility and earn
ads can be helpful, keep in
their citizenship by paying
mind that the candidates
taxes, learning English, and
are trying really hard to
make each other look bad,
while they build
the government and
rather than a republican or
themselves up. Obviously,
country. Many lies are
democratic source because
they are biased, and will try
started at debates and
obviously they will be
their hardest to get every
although some are valid,
extremely biased either for
voter on their side.
many are exaggerations or
or against the candidate.
Debates are similar in that
they can help voters
understand the nominees’
points and views, but are
altogether false. Be careful
not to fall for trash talk and
to take everything the
Be a smart voter and find
information for yourself.
candidates say as a grain of
salt. Always follow up a
also extremely biased and
rumor with research.
can produce skewed
opinions. In more cases
Also be sure to use
than not, the debates focus
qualified and reliable
more about the faults of
sources to find information
each other than actual
regarding the candidates.
issues involving the social
If you are researching a
and economic problems in
rumor, use a neutral source
For basic information involving Republicans, Democrats, and other
smaller parties, visit their sites.
Major Parties:
Republican Party: https://www.gop.com/platform/
Democratic Party: http://www.democrats.org
Other Parties:
Libertarian Party: https://www.lp.org/platform
Green Party: http://www.gp.org/index.php
Constitution Party: http://www.constitutionparty.com