2016 Presidential Race

[Blizzard]

The problem with the Libertarian Party and why it's not a viable option is two fold:

1. Their leadership and candidates are generally a bunch of crackpots and nutcases...simply check out their webpage for more than enough evidence to this; Elvis Presley is running for office in one district, for crying out loud -- who could possibly take that seriously?

2. Their priorities are seriously messed up. Legalizing pot/drugs is not the most pressing issue facing this country...not by a long shot. Yet, by and large this almost always ends up near the top of the list with their candidates. I get it...personal liberty and all but come on. It's as annoying an issue as abortion, which is never a top 10 issue for voters but somehow becomes a debate topic for Asses and Elephants. The LP isolationist approach to world affairs isn't realistic in a modern world either.

 

[nobodythank you]

Evangelicals are ruining this country in my mind.

I don't agree with most of what you say, but this is absolutely true. Christianity is not under persecution in this country. Religious freedom is a two way street. Live and let live.

 

[Florida173]

I've never met an evangelical.. Only hear about them on tv

 

[Gunz]

Religious hardliners are goddam trouble-makers the world over.

 

[DA SWO]

Yeah. I would vote for a socially liberal republican. Unfortunately that doesn't exist. The closest thing is maybe Rand Paul, but he went pretty far right to appease the evangelicals.

Evangelicals are ruining this country in my mind. The Christian agenda is a huge part of the reason I'm a liberal.

Funny, I would say the socialists are ruining the country and that's why I vote Republican.

 

[TLDR20]

I've never met an evangelical.. Only hear about them on tv

You have never met someone who votes with their bible primarily?

 

[Florida173]

You have never met someone who votes with their bible primarily?

Are we making the term so ambiguous that anyone that votes by their faith is now evangelical? I was thinking Moral Majority and Christian Coalition... All that Jerry Falwell nonsense.

 

[DA SWO]

You have never met someone who votes with their bible primarily?

Actually no.
I do think a large segment of Evangelicals are clueless, but the same can be said for the free college crowd and the people touting Obama phones.
To say one segment is more clueless than another would be hard to prove/disprove.

 

[TLDR20]

Are we making the term so ambiguous that anyone that votes by their faith is now evangelical? I was thinking Moral Majority and Christian Coalition... All that Jerry Falwell nonsense.

There are an awful lot of people who vote based on issues that their church tells them are important. Those issues often aren't important.. The comical thing to me, is if evangelicals/Christians in general followed the New Testament teachings they professed to follow, they would be socialists.

 

[ryno762]

The problem with the Libertarian Party and why it's not a viable option is two fold:

1. Their leadership and candidates are generally a bunch of crackpots and nutcases...simply check out their webpage for more than enough evidence to this; Elvis Presley is running for office in one district, for crying out loud -- who could possibly take that seriously?

2. Their priorities are seriously messed up. Legalizing pot/drugs is not the most pressing issue facing this country...not by a long shot. Yet, by and large this almost always ends up near the top of the list with their candidates. I get it...personal liberty and all but come on. It's as annoying an issue as abortion, which is never a top 10 issue for voters but somehow becomes a debate topic for Asses and Elephants. The LP isolationist approach to world affairs isn't realistic in a modern world either.

1. I agree unfortunately. However there have been some great candidates. Robert Frank comes to mind.

2. Again I agree. I think its an important issue, considering the tax dollars we waste losing the war on drugs. It shouldn't be at the top of the list though.

I believe strongly in capitalism and free trade. And my both my Grandpas risked their lives in combat so I could vote. The libertarian party is the closest to my views so thats the one I vote for. I'm still young and naive enough to think we could have a few more parties in the near future. Its exciting that Trump and Bernie are doing so well. I think it shows how fed up people are with the establishment of the two parties.

 

[ThunderHorse]

So...Bernie scores a big win in New Hampshire...and Hillary has almost all of the Super Delegates of the party...if she isn't the establishment candidate...I don't know what is establishment.

 

[AWP]

Re: Evangelicals voting according to the Bible, you can find a ton of them in north Florida. Are they enough to swing a vote? Probably not, but pastors of Southern Baptist churches, fundamental Baptists, and Church of/ Assembly of God openly preach and exhort their parishioners to vote based upon religious lines. I attended one of those churches for several years and I do not exaggerate when I say many of them couldn't articulate a single point beyond religious beliefs.

 

[nobodythank you]

Are we making the term so ambiguous that anyone that votes by their faith is now evangelical? I was thinking Moral Majority and Christian Coalition... All that Jerry Falwell nonsense.

It is not ambiguous when that is the almost exact definition, one who follows the teachings of the gospel (aka Christianity). This is why religion has no place in politics, if it does then the churches need to pay taxes like everyone else. However, that is probably a discussion for a different thread.

 

[DocIllinois]

There are an awful lot of people who vote based on issues that their church tells them are important. Those issues often aren't important.. The comical thing to me, is if evangelicals/Christians in general followed the New Testament teachings they professed to follow, they would be socialists.

They would also be literally gouging out their eyes if they ever looked lustfully upon any woman not their wife, among other instructions of dubious meaning and purpose.


The truly dangerous part of voting according to a holy book is that it shuts the door on a review and critical thought about multiple, empirical factors during a decision making process, IMO.

There is no process outside of physically hearing the guidance of someone who is "interpreting" the holy text, then carrying out those instructions as an automaton.

Brilliant.

 

[TLDR20]

Actually no.
I do think a large segment of Evangelicals are clueless, but the same can be said for the free college crowd and the people touting Obama phones.
To say one segment is more clueless than another would be hard to prove/disprove.

Oh I agree. Many of the people clamoring for free college probably wouldn't be smart enough to get into college if a system like that was put in place. In Europe where they often point, if you aren't smart enough you are not allowed in.

Obamaphones? Come on dude.

The Obama Phone?

 

[DA SWO]

There are an awful lot of people who vote based on issues that their church tells them are important. Those issues often aren't important.. The comical thing to me, is if evangelicals/Christians in general followed the New Testament teachings they professed to follow, they would be socialists.

No, Jesus told his followers to be charitable as individuals, not by letting government do it.
There are also references to hard work, which would impact the welfare class (no work, no food), and we are not commanded to give money to everyone, but to those truly needy.

 

[ryno762]

So...Bernie scores a big win in New Hampshire...and Hillary has almost all of the Super Delegates of the party...if she isn't the establishment candidate...I don't know what is establishment.

If Sanders wins the popular vote, but Hillary gets the nomination via Super Delegates maybe people will lose faith in the party enough to turn to third parties in 2020. Same with Trump. Alternatively think of the brilliant political comedy that would be produced from a Trump vs Sanders election. Its a win win!

 

[SkrewzLoose]

No, Jesus told his followers to be charitable as individuals, not by letting government do it.
There are also references to hard work, which would impact the welfare class (no work, no food), and we are not commanded to give money to everyone, but to those truly needy.

How many people would honestly be charitable without being told to or without some reward on the flip side?
Who determines which workers get what food?
Who defines needy? And who prevents those lines from being blurred (needy -> dependent on a system that can be manipulated) like they have in our current society?

 

[TLDR20]

No, Jesus told his followers to be charitable as individuals, not by letting government do it.
There are also references to hard work, which would impact the welfare class (no work, no food), and we are not commanded to give money to everyone, but to those truly needy.

Yeah. We can just disagree. Jesus said quite a few things, about being there for your neighbor, loving all people, and helping those in need. Paul spoke at great lengths about paying taxes, and listening to the governments appointed over us. Unfortunately when it comes to politics mostly all anyone uses Jesus for is to try and keep marriage between a man and a woman, keep women from having access to abortions, and try and keep God in school.

I don't think Jesus or the bible should be used as a basis for any kind of public policy. I think that Jesus if he lived today would have views much more closely aligned with those of Bernie Sanders than those of Donald Trump or Ted Cruz.

 

[DocIllinois]

How many people would honestly be charitable without being told to or without some reward on the flip side?
Who determines which workers get what food?
Who defines needy? And who prevents those lines from being blurred (needy -> dependent on a system that can be manipulated) like they have in our current society?

For that matter, how much genuine evidence exists that the source of any of the above is from a text written in the Bronze age by desert people who thought that the world was flat?