This go around, it all comes down to records. Are you happy with the last 4 years or were the four before that better for you. I too am not sure why there are still undecided.
I recall the words of Paul Harvey “If you want sweet and nice in a president, elect my wife”.
Polls are one thing, the one that will really matter is the one taken on November 5th.
Right on! While I won’t disparage anyone’s choice, I do find it extremely disappointing how many Americans rely on only one news source to inform (I use that word lightly) themselves to make their choices.
When I was in a college political science class our amazing professor stressed how biased news sources are. Most biased was television followed by newspapers and lastly news periodicals. With the advent of the internet we now have another way to be swayed. It’s up to us to read and listen to as many “big brains”,of either stripe, as possible to help us form our opinions and make sound voting decisions. It takes time and focus, but it could be the most importing undertaking any of us will have in our lifetimes!
Great observations, Dave. I don’t know anything about alternate methods of selecting politicians other than the CA change allowing the two top primary candidates regardless of party onto the ballot. In CA, that seems like a great way to reduce choices and solidify power. An experiment that may reflect the Democrat call to end the electoral college. What will politics look like when California and New York decide presidential elections?
In regard to the undecideds deciding, as you said, maybe they’ve already decided. Like Trump supporters in 2016, maybe they feel their choice is socially unacceptable?
And if the issue is as the Clinton era slogan “It’s the economy, stupid.” identified, which of those undecided groups are happy with the economy?
Thanks again, Dave! Enjoy reading your writing. Nice job placing a bit of video in there, too. I didn’t watch the clips. I’ve seen them previously.
Your brain is world class Dave,,,its a pleasure seeing you on earth, especially in harmony with Ms Fong .
The long wave, 250 year average life cycle of nations, driven by human nature rules however....from struggle at the beginning, that breeds strength and integrity necessary to survive, next the rise and fall of affluence, the breeds weakness and corruption....to the final stage the full bloom of corruption decay, idiocy...and terminal corruption.
We had been at that threshold for the last 10 years or so... it has now gone well beyond that fatal threshold from which no nation has ever recovered except by going through its rot and suffering phase....the following and inevitable rise and repeat cycle never reaches the original highs.
Those seem to be reserved for new entities that come on the scene.
_________
There is 'some' evidence that earth has seen more than a few cycles of civilizations on earth that have come to extinction then taken tens of thousands of years to repopulate. as a people on the face of the earth we might be approaching that longer cycle threshold.
While these tides might not be changeable... the individual in all cases has the opportunity to transcend them and maybe something like the majority of us will experience that when we pass...I have no clue... ymmv.... but there is good evidence in that direction.
Keep up the GOOD WORK DAVE!... and cut a few hits with Ms Fong, leave them for posterity... it desperately needs them.
Thanks for the great article. Before I switched to voting for the independent Presidential candidates, back in the 1970's I too saw voting as selecting the least of two evils. Since moving to Tennessee in 2000, voting is a bit tricky thanks to the Tennessee state government. Normally I would have voted for Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Candidate. But this year, the Libertarians are not on the ballot. Tennessee has an odd law that if a candidate has not registered with the state to be a write-in candidate, your vote is wasted if you write in a candidate who has not registered with the state. How do you find out who has registered? To this day, I have no idea. But, to me, it also appears to be totally illegal. For the state of Tennessee, it's a law of convenience. Not registered? We don't have to count your vote.
Dave - Well done. I am bothered by two things here: You talk about Trump as if he's not dangerous, and you treat Kamala's record as Vice President as if she was in any way in charge. (So does Trump). Do you think Kamala had a real say in decisions under Biden? Do you thing Pence had a say in anything under Trump? Your example of Kamala lying is her NOT saying "Hey, I wasn't in charge, The president was." She's avoiding the question. I don't blame her.
I very clearly said that she was NOT in charge of the border. I even said who was. However, her boss did cancel Trump's border restrictions. She was a part of that administration. And for three-plus years said nothing, and now pretends that Trump is to blame for the million displaced immigrants Joe literally invited to the border? I'm busting her for her inability to be honest. And for her party's manipulation of innocent would-be immigrants for the sake of phony 'compassion'.
Wasn’t she the border “czar” or am I being misinformationed? Aren’t there behind the scenes Democratic Party directives to the executive branch dept heads on holding them back from enforcing existing laws on the books? We seem to have an apathetic “just doing what I am told” element in our federal border officers that is not a good path for our country as evidenced by the James O’Keefe documentary. I do hold that sides leadership as a whole responsible for treating people crossing the border as a commodity to be used rather than individuals who need freedom.
Neither Biden nor Harris were in charge of anything. Joe was too sleepy, VPs never do much, neither deserve credit for anything. The county has been run by some DNC cabal since 2020, maybe we will get an inside book about it someday.
Same as it ever was. The Jefferson/Adams election was ALMOST as decisive, disingenuous and polarizing. We would be hard pressed to remember a political contest that wasn’t composed of well…politicians.
I agree with all of your points, and yet here we are. On the eve of an historic election that will decide if we want an imperfect president or a king.
If Trump wins, our system of checks and balances will not evaporate. So, fortunately, no kings are in the offing. But the slide of 'the right' toward authoritarian rule is a strange development. This from the 'small federal government' crowd? One wonders where the conservatives have gone.
- Morons are too concerned about personalities. They vote for which salesman they "like" better, for "feels", and ignore the product. Funny they don't do that at the car dealer - there they compare models, pore over reviews and specs, rely on their mechanic friends.
- Self-centered people vote for their personal finances. Sometimes that's also good for the county, but they are easily manipulated by fake promises.
- Smart people compare parties for ideas and past performance, not personalities. Vote for which platform you align with. Consider the impact on our global family (other countries), and your family's future.
I’m a member of that 18% club. Both candidates stink to the high heavens. This nation deserves a helluva lot better. I can’t in good conscience vote for either because neither is deserving.
I cannot say that we deserve better, we bred this mess... it may have begun in 1955 when Jerry Lee Louis recording Great balls of fire hit the charts...I was there, we loved it, we became free...integrity was no longer an issue.
Rock and Roll was the issue....it displaced all that.
You continue to amaze me. This is one of the best written pieces you've done, and I (of course) agree. If either candidate suddenly told the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we'd either be aghast, upset or disgusted with them or the political system itself – or perhaps refreshingly pleased? You’re correct that far too many voters have been manipulated by unchecked rhetoric by their own party, or to some degree the other party, such that they vote "against" instead of "for" a candidate. Keep writing Dave, this is a very worthy strength you own. I’m forwarding this piece to others to show that I too can think neutrally so as to make my own decisions.
I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground as to how to get candidates on the ballot issue. I don’t know much about “your beautiful lovely amazing, I mean the best ever chart” on that issue.
I feel as though both candidates are able to get away with not being accountable for some big issues.
Trump with the stolen election narrative and Kamala not wanting to acknowledge that she's been a significant player in a govt that citizens are unhappy with.
Both are often asked about these issues and they typically deflect. This is not new for politicians (think Hillary C) but it is a worrying trend that will hopefully be broken after this election. It needs to be broken.
I'll tell you this much, Dave...I live at ground zero of the devastation in North Carolina. Trump was on the ground within a couple of days in my hometown of Hendersonville with Franklin Graham of Samaritans Purse raising funds for disaster relief. Joe and Kamala flew over in helicopters and haven't been heard from since.
And somebody else would say that Kamala Harris was in their town, which of course she was. Of course neither of them is a governor, or the president, or the FEMA director. They are both candidates looking to bag votes. Clearly Trump has yours. I hope you guys came through alright.
I kind of get your point BUT so what. Politicians tell stories. Most of us know that. At least one of these 2 can put 2 sords together and make a sentence. The other one talks, as they put it, word salad. We are going to get one of them as President. Lets hope it is the one who can talk.
So ... unless I mistake your meaning here, you think that the skill of a person's delivery when making a statement presented as fact ... is more important than whether or not what they are saying is actually true? Again, would you accept that from your kids? Your mate? Your friends?
This go around, it all comes down to records. Are you happy with the last 4 years or were the four before that better for you. I too am not sure why there are still undecided.
I recall the words of Paul Harvey “If you want sweet and nice in a president, elect my wife”.
Polls are one thing, the one that will really matter is the one taken on November 5th.
Right on! While I won’t disparage anyone’s choice, I do find it extremely disappointing how many Americans rely on only one news source to inform (I use that word lightly) themselves to make their choices.
When I was in a college political science class our amazing professor stressed how biased news sources are. Most biased was television followed by newspapers and lastly news periodicals. With the advent of the internet we now have another way to be swayed. It’s up to us to read and listen to as many “big brains”,of either stripe, as possible to help us form our opinions and make sound voting decisions. It takes time and focus, but it could be the most importing undertaking any of us will have in our lifetimes!
I'm with you, Karen. It does take time and focus. And it takes the uncomfortable admission that we are all susceptible to confirmation-bias.
Great observations, Dave. I don’t know anything about alternate methods of selecting politicians other than the CA change allowing the two top primary candidates regardless of party onto the ballot. In CA, that seems like a great way to reduce choices and solidify power. An experiment that may reflect the Democrat call to end the electoral college. What will politics look like when California and New York decide presidential elections?
In regard to the undecideds deciding, as you said, maybe they’ve already decided. Like Trump supporters in 2016, maybe they feel their choice is socially unacceptable?
And if the issue is as the Clinton era slogan “It’s the economy, stupid.” identified, which of those undecided groups are happy with the economy?
Thanks again, Dave! Enjoy reading your writing. Nice job placing a bit of video in there, too. I didn’t watch the clips. I’ve seen them previously.
Looking forward to your next one!
Dave
This should be a mandatory read for everyone… excellent work, Dave. Right on.
Your brain is world class Dave,,,its a pleasure seeing you on earth, especially in harmony with Ms Fong .
The long wave, 250 year average life cycle of nations, driven by human nature rules however....from struggle at the beginning, that breeds strength and integrity necessary to survive, next the rise and fall of affluence, the breeds weakness and corruption....to the final stage the full bloom of corruption decay, idiocy...and terminal corruption.
We had been at that threshold for the last 10 years or so... it has now gone well beyond that fatal threshold from which no nation has ever recovered except by going through its rot and suffering phase....the following and inevitable rise and repeat cycle never reaches the original highs.
Those seem to be reserved for new entities that come on the scene.
_________
There is 'some' evidence that earth has seen more than a few cycles of civilizations on earth that have come to extinction then taken tens of thousands of years to repopulate. as a people on the face of the earth we might be approaching that longer cycle threshold.
While these tides might not be changeable... the individual in all cases has the opportunity to transcend them and maybe something like the majority of us will experience that when we pass...I have no clue... ymmv.... but there is good evidence in that direction.
Keep up the GOOD WORK DAVE!... and cut a few hits with Ms Fong, leave them for posterity... it desperately needs them.
Felipe, en Jocotenango
Thanks for the great article. Before I switched to voting for the independent Presidential candidates, back in the 1970's I too saw voting as selecting the least of two evils. Since moving to Tennessee in 2000, voting is a bit tricky thanks to the Tennessee state government. Normally I would have voted for Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Candidate. But this year, the Libertarians are not on the ballot. Tennessee has an odd law that if a candidate has not registered with the state to be a write-in candidate, your vote is wasted if you write in a candidate who has not registered with the state. How do you find out who has registered? To this day, I have no idea. But, to me, it also appears to be totally illegal. For the state of Tennessee, it's a law of convenience. Not registered? We don't have to count your vote.
Dave - Well done. I am bothered by two things here: You talk about Trump as if he's not dangerous, and you treat Kamala's record as Vice President as if she was in any way in charge. (So does Trump). Do you think Kamala had a real say in decisions under Biden? Do you thing Pence had a say in anything under Trump? Your example of Kamala lying is her NOT saying "Hey, I wasn't in charge, The president was." She's avoiding the question. I don't blame her.
I very clearly said that she was NOT in charge of the border. I even said who was. However, her boss did cancel Trump's border restrictions. She was a part of that administration. And for three-plus years said nothing, and now pretends that Trump is to blame for the million displaced immigrants Joe literally invited to the border? I'm busting her for her inability to be honest. And for her party's manipulation of innocent would-be immigrants for the sake of phony 'compassion'.
Wasn’t she the border “czar” or am I being misinformationed? Aren’t there behind the scenes Democratic Party directives to the executive branch dept heads on holding them back from enforcing existing laws on the books? We seem to have an apathetic “just doing what I am told” element in our federal border officers that is not a good path for our country as evidenced by the James O’Keefe documentary. I do hold that sides leadership as a whole responsible for treating people crossing the border as a commodity to be used rather than individuals who need freedom.
Neither Biden nor Harris were in charge of anything. Joe was too sleepy, VPs never do much, neither deserve credit for anything. The county has been run by some DNC cabal since 2020, maybe we will get an inside book about it someday.
Same as it ever was. The Jefferson/Adams election was ALMOST as decisive, disingenuous and polarizing. We would be hard pressed to remember a political contest that wasn’t composed of well…politicians.
I agree with all of your points, and yet here we are. On the eve of an historic election that will decide if we want an imperfect president or a king.
I KNOW how I’m voting.
If Trump wins, our system of checks and balances will not evaporate. So, fortunately, no kings are in the offing. But the slide of 'the right' toward authoritarian rule is a strange development. This from the 'small federal government' crowd? One wonders where the conservatives have gone.
Where the heck is the John Birch Society when you need ‘em?
Ha!
- Morons are too concerned about personalities. They vote for which salesman they "like" better, for "feels", and ignore the product. Funny they don't do that at the car dealer - there they compare models, pore over reviews and specs, rely on their mechanic friends.
- Self-centered people vote for their personal finances. Sometimes that's also good for the county, but they are easily manipulated by fake promises.
- Smart people compare parties for ideas and past performance, not personalities. Vote for which platform you align with. Consider the impact on our global family (other countries), and your family's future.
I’m a member of that 18% club. Both candidates stink to the high heavens. This nation deserves a helluva lot better. I can’t in good conscience vote for either because neither is deserving.
I cannot say that we deserve better, we bred this mess... it may have begun in 1955 when Jerry Lee Louis recording Great balls of fire hit the charts...I was there, we loved it, we became free...integrity was no longer an issue.
Rock and Roll was the issue....it displaced all that.
I plead guilty as well.
You continue to amaze me. This is one of the best written pieces you've done, and I (of course) agree. If either candidate suddenly told the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we'd either be aghast, upset or disgusted with them or the political system itself – or perhaps refreshingly pleased? You’re correct that far too many voters have been manipulated by unchecked rhetoric by their own party, or to some degree the other party, such that they vote "against" instead of "for" a candidate. Keep writing Dave, this is a very worthy strength you own. I’m forwarding this piece to others to show that I too can think neutrally so as to make my own decisions.
I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground as to how to get candidates on the ballot issue. I don’t know much about “your beautiful lovely amazing, I mean the best ever chart” on that issue.
I feel as though both candidates are able to get away with not being accountable for some big issues.
Trump with the stolen election narrative and Kamala not wanting to acknowledge that she's been a significant player in a govt that citizens are unhappy with.
Both are often asked about these issues and they typically deflect. This is not new for politicians (think Hillary C) but it is a worrying trend that will hopefully be broken after this election. It needs to be broken.
I'll tell you this much, Dave...I live at ground zero of the devastation in North Carolina. Trump was on the ground within a couple of days in my hometown of Hendersonville with Franklin Graham of Samaritans Purse raising funds for disaster relief. Joe and Kamala flew over in helicopters and haven't been heard from since.
And somebody else would say that Kamala Harris was in their town, which of course she was. Of course neither of them is a governor, or the president, or the FEMA director. They are both candidates looking to bag votes. Clearly Trump has yours. I hope you guys came through alright.
I kind of get your point BUT so what. Politicians tell stories. Most of us know that. At least one of these 2 can put 2 sords together and make a sentence. The other one talks, as they put it, word salad. We are going to get one of them as President. Lets hope it is the one who can talk.
So ... unless I mistake your meaning here, you think that the skill of a person's delivery when making a statement presented as fact ... is more important than whether or not what they are saying is actually true? Again, would you accept that from your kids? Your mate? Your friends?