Mail-in voting is already open in some states for the mid-term elections. Early voting in-person starts in mid-October for some areas, and the final day of voting will be November 8th.
There are lots of personal and policy-based decisions to be made in this election, and of course, it is more consequential than most mid-terms, for so many reasons, most of which make me sigh.
But I just want to share my list of priorities for how I would consider a candidate in very general terms. Because I feel like we might be skipping some important traits.
Firstly - before I look at any policy position at all, I need to know the candidate is a decent human being and generally fair and humane. Separating children from parents at immigration centers isn’t humane for example. No need to consider that kind of candidate further, from my perspective.
Secondly, I need to know that they respect democratic processes and would work in support of a democratic society. If they tell us they would ignore votes if the votes didn’t go their way, or if they are campaigning for others who state they would ignore votes, there is no need to consider that kind of candidate further, from my perspective.
Only thirdly, do I get to their policy positions. How they consider taxes, healthcare, civil/women’s rights, foreign policy etc - this is the nitty gritty of a decision about a candidate (assuming they pass the decency and the democracy test first).
And lastly is political party. Party is the very least important of all categories. A conservative candidate can break with party in some areas and get my support, or a liberal can break with party in some areas and get my support.
Candidates - decent, democratic people - deserve our attention and our thought and deliberation in either party. Those who can’t even pass the first bar or the second….do not.
For me, decency is always first. Always.
100%!!
Sooo true. I am up to here with bullying and snark and meanness, no matter where it comes from and no matter whose political side you may be on. Enough.