By Norman Halls, contributor
We all believe in change: climate change, change in how we think towards each other, hope for a change in the Middle East, change in the economy, change in how politicians act toward their colleagues, and a change to think rather than act out.
The most basic, the most important and effective means you have in a democracy to voice your beliefs and choose a better future for yourself, family and children is your vote. Your vote as an individual is important. Your vote added to others’ votes, is the first defense against apathy and futility and the best stand for hope and human progress. From The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.
Since our country’s first Presidential election in 1788, the strategies of those campaigning have changed dramatically. The tactics that hopefuls use to seek the Presidential office is vastly different from the early elections. The candidates are using a vast array of strategies and invite constant exposure and accountability. The style of campaigning in 2016 has changed so dramatically it has many voters thinking, are these candidates headed in the right direction for our country?
In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s not just enough to have confidence for truth. The most insidious half-truth about leadership is that it’s just a matter of charisma and vision – you either have it or you don’t. Just run through your mind what has happened in the world or in society in the past year or two, and you’ll understand what is meant by the reality of constant change. So it’s necessary for leaders to keep focused on the issues.
Fact checking is the act of checking factual assertions in non-fictional text in order to determine the veracity and correctness of the factual statements in the text. This may be done either before (ante hoc) or after (post hoc) the text has been published or otherwise disseminated. From: Oxford Reference.
As the news media cover the turbulent 2016 presidential election, there’s been considerable debate around how much emphasis they should put on inaccurate or potentially offensive statements made by candidates. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that while those who support Donald Trump are divided in their views on whether journalists should highlight statements that many may find offensive, supporters of both candidates overwhelmingly say the news media should draw attention to claims that are inaccurate. The presidential campaign has been marked by controversy over comments made by the candidates. Some have offended groups of people, while others have included false claims. From Pew Research Center.
This election time, nearly every word uttered by presidential candidates during stump speeches will be electronically sent to opponents and media in real time. By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people, swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. From Yahoo News.
Voters who support Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump offer a variety of reasons why they do so, ranging from the candidates’ issue positions to their personal backgrounds. But a major factor for both groups, beyond their candidate’s attributes, is who they are not. Some factors voters are thinking; Political outsider/Will brings change; Experienced/Will get things done. Candidates tell us they are going to make a number of changes, but she or he has to work with 100 Senators and 435 Representatives to pass any recommendations. The president must set an agenda and lobbying that depends on their relationship with Congress.
So study these candidates carefully, you may learn something of value by searching the internet. But, check all the options; someone may not think the way you do. Remember, if you don’t vote you can’t complain on November 9th, and thereafter. So go vote.
