Gun control and crime. In this instance, I feel as though Hillary Clinton is the clear winner. As a 16 year resident of Florida, the mass shootings that happened recently was a big eye opener as to the kind of damage high capacity magazines, assault weapons, and people on FBI watch lists can do. Although both Trump and Clinton somewhat agree on the banning of weapons sales to people on terror watch lists, Trump still believes that assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be legal. (As of 3:06am Eastern time on 6-27-2016 on his web site, that is) What this means is that he still abides by the completely outdated concept of the 2nd amendment, which was written by our white wig wearing forefathers who had 1-shot at a time muskets. They had no way of envisioning what the future would bring. Therefore, Trump (As well as many republicans and the NRA) are still under the belief that rules shouldn’t change for publicly accessible technology that is capable of hurting tons of people when, clearly, they should. This is why, in this instance, I feel as though Hillary is the clear winner. (As are the representatives who believe the same as she does)
Foreign Business/Trade. In this instance I feel as though Trump is the clear winner. Trump’s ideas are radical, I assure you. Taxes for imports which are at a high percentage, less meddling with other countries who aren’t working with us, and so on and so forth. What this means, in the long run, is less incentives for business to quickly jump to other countries to fill their employment needs. AKA–He’s trying to make incentives to keep and make jobs right here in America. Open/Free trade , if completely open and free, is never going to end well for the American worker. Major limits need to be imposed or else America will have NO jobs in the long run and we will have 0 chances to become more self-reliant.
Abortion. I’m not going to open a can of worms here and say what I do/do not believe when it comes to this, so I’ll say that if you’re for abortion Clinton is on your side. If you’re against abortion, Trump is. This is solely based on their statements made in the past.
When it comes to same-sex marriages, although Trump has clearly stated it’s a reality and to let states handle it, a lot of past statements made makes it seem as though he’s at least slightly against it. Strangely enough, even though Clinton states she is religious, she is actually for this, which is a very unstereotypical surprise.
Health coverage. Trump is not fond of Obamacare (Although he is with some parts of it, like the pre-existing coverage) but Hillary is okay with it and wants to expand it/make it better.
Social Security. Trump is in favor of privatizing it, and Clinton opposes that idea. Truthfully, I am afraid of what will happen if Social Security is tampered with in any way whatsoever. Both disabled families and well as the elderly rely on it. A lot of people try to say it’ll run out eventually when, truthfully, our government will never let it run out. They can’t. Imagine old, homeless people on every street corner in the entire United States. That’s what would happen if Social Security no longer had any funds to pay people in their Senior years. There’s no way the government is going to let that happen to its elderly population as a whole.
Education. This is where Trump definitely wins. He wants to ditch common core, and I applaud that idea. This country’s most brilliant innovators are ones who thought outside of the box. All common core education will do is make a bunch of mindless clones that are only good at and expand on what they are taught. Education should be well-rounded and jump boundaries, not be limited to a specific set of rules. Not only is this vital in my opinion, but it is necessary to open up unlimited job possibilities in the future. (As well as MAKE more jobs). If, as an example, students are taught a larger variety of things, the primary focal points of their future employment will be as well rounded as their education was. That’s the only way for society to advance. It’s what can breed a brand new renaissance.
The Environment. On this issue, Hillary is the all-time winner. She believes in green energy and the future of this planet. Trump, on the other hand, based on past statements, favors oil and potentially dangerous (Nuclear) energy sources. This shows me, at least at first glance, that his concern for future residents of this planet is very minimal. It also makes me wonder if he has some vested interested in energy companies and has stock in oil. He is, after all, a business man.
Crime and punishment. Clinton is the more compassionate of the two, whereas Trump feels harsher punishment for crimes is needed. I’m on the fence with this one.
Pathways to citizenship for illegal aliens. Clinton believes in amnesty, making a way for people to have the American dream. Yet, at the same time, with the way the world is nowadays and how horrible the economy is in America, Trump has his definite points about keeping illegal immigrants out and tightening the control of our borders. At one time I believe Clinton’s way would have been the right one….but that was long ago when America wasn’t as populated and NEEDED as many people in here as we could get to make the economy strong. Now, however, we have enough people here the way it is and need to just focus on our own. So, due to the way things have changed, I think I’m for Trump on this one.
Expansion of the military. Although I’m somewhat of a pacifist and applaud Clinton’s attempt at foreign diplomacy, you can’t talk your way out of fights with people who have no reasoning skills and are complete nut jobs (Putin, N. Korea’s leader, etc., etc.). Trump, on the other hand, wants to increase the military, but spend more on defense and less on offense. This way we have the power and are prepared yet, at the same time, we’re not trying to stir up any trouble.
Foreign intervention. Yet, even though Clinton wants to decrease the military, she seems to want to constantly get involved with affairs that will keep our troops and business in areas they simply shouldn’t be in. Trump, on the other hand, seems to want to avoid foreign entanglements. If he has to, he wants to hit them hard and fast and then get the heck out of dodge. On one hand, that’s good. On the other hand, depending on HOW hard, that could cause supreme backlash for the U.S.
Trump has strongly opposed drugs (Including marijuana) in the past, whereas Hilllary seems to think it is not a gateway drug and is more lenient when it comes to that. Since I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs and never have, I’m more liable to side with Trump on this one. Sound mind, sound body, sound life. That’s the way I have always lived and highly respect others who do the same.
Overall, if I had to take personal stances on the 13 issues listed above, I would say my current tally is Clinton-5, Trump-8. However, that in no way means the most important issues are in Trump’s roster. So, I’m STILL up in the air for who I should vote for. Maybe an independent party will come along and be exactly what I’m looking for. Who knows?
Whatever the case, everyone needs to remember that a good President is only as good as their congress. They may have great ideas, or vote/not vote for certain things, but they only have the power to approve or veto laws, they don’t MAKE them. (Or at least they’re not supposed to) If you want real change, vote for the congress members of your state who think/stand for the issues that your presidential hopeful also stands for. That’s the only way to ensure that whoever is elected is in sync with who will actually make the laws. Know what I mean?
