Why I'm Cancelling the "Know Your Candidate" Feature

This is the third entry of four outlining the changes I'm planning for this blog in 2016. The first can be found here, and the second can be found here. The post you're currently reading focuses on Saturday posts.

I'll admit, I haven't always been a fan of politics. I've been very hesitant to write about politics, too. I want this blog to be a haven for welcoming, open communication, and introducing heavy topics tends to encourage rancor in any comments section.

However, as I became a fan of the Hamilton musical (warning: both strong and historically accurate language awaits ye who click here), and discovered my personal dislike for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, I began taking a greater interest in politics.

I didn't intend for politics to become a feature of Change and Cherish, but I changed my mind after I made a very specific challenge at the end of my post about Voldemort.

"Or, if you can't handle that, then spend as much time learning about [Voldemort] as you do learning about every single other candidate. Give them your time, too."

I decided to assist my readers in completing this challenge, and so started writing Know Your Candidate.

Since then, Know Your Candidate posts have consistently strayed to the middle of the road in regards to pageviews. However, research has indicated that these pageviews come from interested third parties, and not dedicated readers of this blog. Judging from the poll at the end of 2015, it appears no die-hard C&C fans come looking for KYC.

So, as the title suggests, I'm cancelling Know Your Candidate.

However, I'm not through with political posts. On weeks when I become interested in a trending topic, I generally write a post about that. An example includes my post about religious freedom. Sometimes, posts about controversial religious topics take the place of that week's political post, like my thoughts on children from a same-sex marriage. 

Political/religious topics will now be discussed by the community on Tuesdays, to facilitate discussion for the restructured Thinkjousts. I will offer my own opinions via the usual Saturday posts, taking into consideration what has been commented on Tuesday.

Let me know what you think about this change! I'll see you tomorrow, as always.

Know Your Candidate #9 - Rand Paul

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's meet ... Rand Paul!

Rand's campaign website is chock full of information about current events. It even has a twitter feed displaying relevant information. The entire presentation looks very fresh and informative, and I found navigation easy and intuitive (though I do wish Rand would move his personal thoughts on the issues closer to the top of the main page).

Here's where Rand stands on the issues.

First, Rand feels as though the national debt should be the government's top concern, and wants to balance the budget and cut spending.

Second, Rand wants to end NSA spying and cut the government's growing collection of personal cell phone data.

Third, Rand wants to set stricter term limits to combat settled-in career politicians.

Fourth, Rand wants to cut taxes at every level and ensure the tax code becomes easier to navigate. 

Fifth, Rand wants to audit the Federal Reserve and ensure Congress exerts greater control over its regulation.

Sixth, Rand wants to improve national security by ensuring Congress takes control over decisions to wage war, and that they will consider this responsibility seriously. 

Seventh, Rand wants to implement free-market American health care, but in such a way that health care professionals are more responsive to patients as opposed to government bureaucracy. 

Eighth, Rand wants to make it easier for energy developers to develop clean forms of their product, as opposed to being tied up in governmental regulations.

Ninth, Rand wants to make legal immigration the only way to immigrate into America by strengthening borders.

Tenth, Rand wants to cut back on all forms of governmental regulation.

Eleventh, Rand wants to reform the criminal justice system so people with criminal records don't have as much trouble becoming a productive member of society.

Twelfth, Rand wants to bring the Bill of Rights back to the public consciousness by cutting back on the power the Federal government currently exerts.

Thirteenth, Rand wants to reform educational practices by removing the one-size-fits-all system and giving more control to states, individual schooling systems, and parents.

Fourteenth, Rand supports Israel and wants to cut funding that gives money to Palestine.

Fifteenth, Rand wants to fix social security by making sure it only benefits individuals who plan their lives around it.

Sixteenth, Rand wants to improve relations between veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as make sure veterans receive the support they need following their service.

Seventeenth, Rand is pro-life and wants to restrict federal legislation supporting abortions while granting such decisions to individual states.

Eighteenth, as mentioned in the twelfth issue, Rand wants to bring the Bill of Rights back to the public consciousness, but especially issues regarding the right to bear arms.  

For more information about Rand, click here to read the quotes OnTheIssues.org has collected from him. 

What's my opinion?

Like my thoughts on George Pataki, I was impressed that Rand included information regarding the potential future First Lady on his campaign website. Good on you, sir!

Compared to the other candidates I've studied thus far, I think Rand had the least amount of contradictory stances. However, I felt like his desires to 'cut taxes' didn't make any sense in regards to his plans trimming the national debt. Balancing the budget and cutting federal spending does not remove debt. Instead, it only slows its steady rise. If we want to decrease the national debt, we citizens will need to be taxed more.

In the end, each and every candidate I've studied has danced around this issue. People will not vote for someone who wants to increase taxes. At the same time, people are also concerned about the national debt. Candidates become stuck trying to please both viewpoints.

Ah, well. See you tomorrow for the snapshot, and every day the week after!

Know Your Candidate #8 - Rick Santorum

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's meet ... Rick Santorum!

Rick's campaign website Rick Santorum for President has a whole heap of information regarding his campaign efforts. It appears to be frequently updated with videos and news, and has a lot of different things you can study to learn more about him and his issues.

Here's what Rick himself has to say on the issues.

First, Rick wants to create an economic freedom agenda, which will adjust taxes, encourage businesses to remain in the United States, cut spending, increase domestic fuel production, fix entitlements like the food stamps program, and cut back on all types of immigration.

Second, Rick wants to involve America in the fight against radical Islam by advocating Israel and restricting trade with Iran.

Third, Rick wants to reduce immigration and increase the number of jobs available in the US by cracking down hard on immigrants, including implementing biometric tracking systems and removing laws that state anyone born here is an American citizen.

Fourth, Rick is pro-life and pro-disability, and wants to support legislation that protects these things.

Fifth, Rick wants to protect families by encouraging traditional values and discouraging efforts to redefine marriage.

Sixth, Rick wants to raise awareness of legislation encouraging governmental involvement in education while seeking to tear such regulations down.

Seventh, Rick wants tax code to treat everyone fairly and encourage American manufacturers to keep manufacturing here at home.

Eighth, Rick wants to severely decrease government spending on a national level.

For more on Rick's thoughts, I would recommend visiting OnTheIssues.org (click here). You'll find a collection of quotes from Rick about different issues.

What do I think?

 Honestly, Rick doesn't sound that bad of a person, but I'm confused about the outlandishness in some of his policies. The biometric tracking system he wants to implant in immigrants sounds like Big Brother all over again. I can't help but feel like people are going to be terrified by that prospect. If we're willing to remove a level of privacy from immigrants, when will the law require all natural-born citizens to do the same?

Either way, thanks for reading! I'll see you tomorrow, as always.

Know Your Candidate #7 - Lindsey Graham

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's meet ... Lindsey Graham!

Lindsey Graham's campaign website Graham for President (click here) features a lot of videos and celebrity endorsements. If you're a visual type, this is the campaign website for you.

Lindsey Graham's platform is split into three distinct portions.

Secure Our Nation

First, Lindsey wants to restore American leadership on a global setting by setting clear labels on our nation's enemies and allies.

Second, Lindsey wants to set aside the national debt in favor of a better funded military.

Third, Lindsey wants to eradicate radical Islam.

Fourth, Lindsey wants to destroy the chances that Iran will even acquire nuclear weapon technology.

Fifth, Lindsey wants to give full and undivided support for Israel.

Secure Our Future

First, Lindsey wants to simplify and expand taxes by using intelligent cuts and reforms.

Second, Lindsey wants to fix Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and keep it from collapsing in the near future.

Third, Lindsey wants to ensure that America will achieve energy independence and only use energy from sources right here in the nation.

Fourth, Lindsey wants to scale back on oppressive tax codes that affect families and businesses.

Fifth, Lindsey wants to eliminate illegal immigration while making it easier for those who have already illegally immigrated to gain citizenship.

Sixth, Lindsey hates Obamacare.

Protect the Sanctity of Life

First, Lindsey supports pro-life legislation, including a law that will ban abortion at 20 weeks.

Second, Lindsey supports traditional marriage and desires that anyone with traditional religious beliefs should have those beliefs protected.

Third, Lindsey wants to ensure that religious freedom is respected everywhere across the world.

Fourth, Lindsey wants to make sure the right to bear arms is upheld and sustained.

Fifth, Lindsey believes that the standardization of education through the US Department of Education is too invasive.

For more on Lindsey's thoughts, I would encourage you to check out some of the things he's said about various issues at OnTheIssues.org (click here).

What do I think?

I don't have too much to add regarding Lindsey's policies, but I have a lot of respect for him as a man.

You see, early on in the GOP campaigning, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named thought it'd be a hilarious idea to give Lindsey Graham's personal phone number out on national television. Read all about that here.

Lindsey's response was to produce a very tasteful and hilarious viral video. Watch that here.

You gotta admire a man who can respond to idiocy like that.

Know Your Candidate #6 - George Pataki

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's meet ... George Pataki!

George Pataki's campaign website Pataki for President (click here) is actually quite interesting. I appreciate the fact that he has published information regarding both himself and his wife. After all, I believe our First Lady* has massive influence over our nation. We don't elect one person into the presidency; we elect a family.

Anyway, his campaign website is also somewhat disappointing, considering there is no one page I can view to read up on his full platform. In order to understand where George Pataki stands on the issues from George Pataki himself, I had to scroll through a lot of different posts.

In the end, I think this article (click here) from Wednesday's GOP debate does a pretty good job summing George's stances on various issues. The article takes his best quotes regarding tax reform, party lines, America's military, Hillary Clinton**, Obamacare, vaccines and climate change, conservatism, science and innovation, blue-collar workers, Uber, and New York sports teams.

For further information regarding George, I would recommend going to OnTheIssues.org and reading his entry. Click here to check that out!

What's My Opinion?

In the end, whatever I say after this should not affect your opinion in the slightest. Make and own your opinion. Pick who is right for you.

That being said, in my book, George has a lot of good things going for him. I was really impressed by his decision to include and spotlight his wife in his campaign. I found him to be confident and self-assured. That page of quotes from the recent debate shows he has a good sense of humor. Even if he's not your choice for president, I think you'd be hard pressed to say he's not a good man. Honestly, when it comes down to it, that's who I want to vote for. Just a good person.

Anyway, what do you think? Be sure to comment below!

*I refer to a First Lady here because, if Mr. Pataki is elected, we will have yet another First Lady. That being said, when we elect a woman president, I believe her husband will be called the First Man.

**I will eventually investigate bigger-name candidates, including Clinton.

Know Your Candidate #5 - Jill Stein

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's Meet ... Jill Stein!

According to Jill's candidacy website Jill Stein for President (click here to see more), she wants to focus on economics and quality of life as her platform. This is laid out in eleven steps.

First, Jill wants the nation to use 100% clean renewable energy by 2030.

Second, Jill wants to make employment a right instead of a privilege.

Third, Jill wants to ensure that every American has access to the bare essentials.

Fourth, Jill wants to make health care a right instead of a privilege.

Fifth, Jill wants to abolish student debt and make education more accessible to the public.

Sixth, Jill wants to create a just economy by raising minimum wages and breaking up big corporations, among other things.

Seventh, Jill wants to create a global treaty that will halt climate change.

Eighth, Jill wants to ensure that everyone has the right to speak and nobody is discriminated against.

Ninth, Jill wants to cut all secretive and/or brutal governmental practices.

Tenth, Jill wants to create a foreign policy built on diplomacy instead of warfare.

Eleventh, Jill wants to give everyone suffrage.

Now, this is just a summary of Jill's platform as detailed on her campaign website. I would recommend visiting OnTheIssues.org (click here for that link) to learn more.

What's My Opinion?

In the end, my opinion about Jill shouldn't matter squat. What does matter is that you need to go out and research these candidates yourself. Find out if you like these people, and then help them succeed!

I did like what Jill had to say, but of the three and a half other candidates I've spotlighted, I think she confused me the most. I guess I've always assumed that Americans already have the right to free speech and suffrage, so I didn't really understand why she felt like those were issues worth mentioning. Sure, I know there's a lot of discrimination out there, but it's not like that same discrimination is currently legal. Also, I wondered about her green energy plan for 2030. Even if she gets elected for two terms, she would still need six more years to see that project come to fruition, and who says her successor would take it the rest of the way?

Anyway, what do you think? Be sure to comment below!

Know your Candidates #4 - Robby Wells

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's Meet ... Robby Wells!

According to Robby's candidacy website Robby Wells for President (click here to see more), his platform focuses on what he calls 'Eaglenomics.' This concept is comprised of 12 different issues.

First, Robby wants to make sure immigrants who otherwise can't pay to enter the country legally can instead enter a four-year program serving the US government or military to earn their citizenship.

Second, Robby wants to enact universal childcare to help single parents go back to school and work.

Third, as part of his actual economic plan, Robby wants to improve the nation's economy by doing ... a whole bunch of things, actually. I was going to write more, but the plan is actually quite detailed, so click here to get a more full overview of that.

Fourth, Robby wants to develop energy independence so we can stop doing business with countries harboring terrorist factions.

Fifth, Robby wants to destroy every label except for that of 'American.' He hopes this will help individuals stop focusing on differences and instead focus on similarities.

Sixth, Robby wants to ensure that veterans are never associated with the words 'homeless' or 'unemployed.'

Seventh, Robby wants to stop sending manufacturing overseas and ensure those kinds of jobs remain in the US.

Eighth, Robby wants to create 'millions of jobs.'

Ninth, Robby wants to eliminate student loan debts by ensuring the Federal Government can't profit off of them.

Tenth, Robby wants to make undergraduate college tuition free for all.

Eleventh, Robby wants to bring back the concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by making sure everyone firmly believes they can rise to the top no matter their extenuating circumstances.

Twelfth, Robby wants to improve the military by making sure we are more technologically advanced than any other country.

Normally, I would recommend checking out Robby's profile at OnTheIssues.org, but he doesn't have one for some reason. Go figure!

What's My Opinion?

As always, when it comes down to it, you need to decide what issues speak to you the most. I hope these blog posts are seen as an opportunity to expand your mind regarding your options.

That being said, I find it disappointing that there are so few presidential candidates in the running. The democratic party especially has very few contenders stepping up to the plate. Even despite this, I personally believe the best leaders are those who have the majority of their charges firmly on their side. The presidential debates often seem more polarizing than anything else. When the election is over, the parties never seem to be able to forgive each other.

Anyway, what do you think? Be sure to comment below!

Know Your Candidates #3: Martin O'Malley

Welcome to Know Your Candidates, a fresh weekly feature here on Change and Cherish Blog that gives you the chance to learn about presidential candidates you may know nothing about! The feature maintains this blog's vision of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every light has the opportunity to shine. Major news networks fail to consider these things when they insist on focusing on controversial or purely entertaining candidates.

Let's meet ... Martin O'Malley!

According to Martin's candidacy website Martin O'Malley for President (click here to see more), his platform focuses on thirteen different issues.

First, Martin wants to raise the minimum wage by a significant degree.

Second, Martin wants to break up big banks to offer greater protection for families.

Third, Martin wants to offer greater educational opportunities for our youth, including debt-free college.

Fourth, Martin wants to decrease tax cuts to make sure that every family has access to good housing near their work and schools.

Fifth, Martin wants to protect and increase employment benefits for women.

Sixth, Martin wants to break poverty cycles by investing in certain economical programs and public education.

Seventh, Martin wants to reform the immigration system by giving greater slack to illegal immigrants and using them to build the base of our economy.

Eighth, Martin wants to expand benefits for seniors so they can retire with dignity.

Ninth, Martin wants to seek improved directives for economizing renewable energy and battling climate change.

Tenth, Martin wants to break down large corporations to allow for greater open competition among businesses.

Eleventh, Martin wants to make it easier for people to vote and to support certain candidates.

Twelfth, Martin wants to publicize all of the government's progress to enable greater accountability among officials.

Lastly, Martin wants to reduce threats to our nation by eliminating poverty and strengthening the middle class.

Now, this is only what Martin has said on his very own website. I would recommend checking out OnTheIsssues.org to learn more about what Martin has been saying during debates and the like (click hre to learn more).

What's My Opinion?

Honestly, my opinion doesn't matter. I can rant and rave all I want, but in the end, it's up to you to decide which candidate best fits your vision.

In considering that, however, I actually really liked what Martin's website had to say, especially the parts about debt-free college and raising the minimum wage. I mean, who doesn't want to see poverty obliterated? However, while I saw a lot of cool promises, I wish the website showed specific plans detailing how Martin's going to accomplish all this. It sounds like everything he's proposing is going to cost a lot of money, and everyone knows that national debt keeps rising. I mean, look at this thing! (Click here to see our national debt)

Either way, what do you think? Be sure to comment below!

Know Your Candidates: Jim Gilmore

Why I Started This New Feature

Following my rantings about Voldemort (He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named) last week, I thought long and hard about something I said.

As several commentators pointed out-- and one quite gleefully, I might add--I ended up talking about Voldemort even though I was telling people not to talk about him. However, I made it clear I was aware of the irony or hypocrisy, no matter how you see it. I personally felt like the following quote was far more important to the post's conclusion than anything else I said.

"Or, if you can't handle that, then spend as much time learning about [Voldemort] as you do learning about every single other candidate. Give them your time, too."

So, if I'm going to throw down such a challenge, I'll help you with it as well. Every week, I'm going to light a spotlight on an under-appreciated presidential candidate. I don't know how long I'll want to keep this as a feature on the blog, and I may grow bored of the concept within a week, but, for now, let's see where this takes us.

To start this second installment off, let's meet ... Jim Gilmore!

According to Jim's candidacy website Gilmore for America (click here to see more), his platform focuses on eight different issues.

First, Jim wants to protect the right to bear weapons.

Second, Jim wants to end the war on terrorism by undermining the enemy's ideologies.

Third, Jim believes that America is no longer trusted or respected by its allies or enemies. He seeks to rectify that.

Fourth, Jim wants to track down every criminal immigrant and get them off the streets..

Fifth, Jim wants to increase the budget for America's defenses.

Sixth, Jim wants to cut taxes and create jobs.

Seventh, Jim wants to remove Obamacare with an alternate solution.

Eighth, Jim wants to attack climate change by removing regulations that force states and power companies to shift their focuses on solar and wind power.

Now, this is only what Jim has said on his very own website. I would recommend checking out OnTheIssues.org to learn more about what Jim has been saying during debates and the like (click here to learn more).

What's My Opinion?

You really shouldn't care about my opinion. Get your own! It's worth way more than mine!

That being said, I'm not convinced that Jim can do everything he's promised. Or, at the very least, he's saying things that everybody kind of wants to happen, but nobody really has the power to actually do anything about it. For example, he wants to get rid of criminally illegal (illegally criminal?) immigrants. Well, shoot. I wouldn't mind a little less crime in our country. Too bad it's a big place with a lot of little hidey-holes, you know?

As it is, Voldemort and Gilmore are the only candidates I've half-seriously studied, so I won't lay down a solid opinion on old Jim just yet. Next week: perhaps a democratic candidate?

Stop Talking About Donald Trump

Mosiah 23:8 - "Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kinds it would be well for you to have a king."

For my non american readers, I apologize for this tangent.

For my american readers, I acknowledge the hypocrisy in this post. Just bear with me a moment.\

I don't particularly like Donald Trump. I'm sure we would get along swimmingly if we did meet in person, if only because I consider myself an amiable and forgiving chap. Regardless, while I can't speak of my personal relationship with Trump, I can mention some things that I don't like about his campaign.

Trump loves insulting his fellows. To be fair, this is generally a staple in most American elections, so we can't blame him for that. The following link goes to an article outlining everyone he's dissed since he began his campaign, current to at least the publication date.

A guide to Trump's insults of every 2016 candidate

The thing is, Trump knows how to bite, but he can't handle it when someone else bites back. We all know about his feud with Megyn Kelly, but I think this following article will help fully demonstrate how incredibly thin-skinned and sensitive he really is. And just to be clear, I disagree with the article's title following the comma.

Donald Trump late-night angry-tweets Megyn Kelly, and it is epic

I mean, I could understand one disgruntled tweet, but over thirty? The man is 69, and yet he's staying up until 4:30am because he was so angry he couldn't sleep?

Finally, to drive my point home, an article was recently released outlining some of Trump's latest intentions.

Trump threatens to sue Club for Growth over attack ads

If this guy is as rich as he claims, then he doesn't need the money from this lawsuit. He's just lashing out so he can nurse his delicately fragile ego.

This is not a man we are dealing with. This is a man-child, a bully, someone who talks big and hits hard, but cringes and whines if someone so much as turns him a disapproving eye. I don't want a blustery cry-baby as the leader over a major world power, least of all over my country. He seems more like a political parody than an actual potential candidate. If you want to see an example of what I'm talking about, check out this video.

But there's a reason why Donald is at the forefront of everybody's mind. It's a problem I'm technically perpetuating with this very post.

Everyone keeps talking about him.

We, as humans, are fascinated with real-life drama. We read all about celebrities' personal lives, we watch videos outlining the latest controversies, we read about Donald Trump because he's a madman that's funny to read about and watch.

The media latches on to that. They get money for every article we click on, for every video we watch, and so they are doing their very best to pump out as much new controversy as they can to pump as much money out of their Donald Trump media franchises as they can. If we treated Donald Trump like we do Vermin Supreme in that video up there, and we didn't take him seriously at all ...

... then the media would stop making him the center of attention.

There are so many excellent and qualified candidates out there, and nobody even knows their names. They get no media attention because the Donald is hogging all the airtime. The worst thing is, he knows that, and he's milking that for all its worth.

So I have a challenge for you all today.

I know I just invited you to read several articles about Trump, but I now want to invite you to stop. Don't look at anything about Trump. Don't give the media pageviews. Don't suggest to any major networks that Trump is worth talking about. Or, if you can't handle that, then spend as much time learning about Trump as you do learning about every single other candidate. Give them your time, too.

As for me, I'm done. For the duration of the GOP debates, I will not look at another Trump article, I will not write about Trump, and I will only speak of him to encourage my fellows to go on a Trump media fast. Let's get him out of the forefront of our minds. There are more important things to focus on.

This is Zachary James, signing off until tomorrow.