What are the undeniable and verifiable facts that cause you to support or fight against a particular politician?

2017-12-18T18:47:12-05:00

Everyone has opinions but it is far more difficult to find people who base those opinions on verifiable facts that back up their statements. What are the reasons that you support or detest any political leader (i.e. Trump, Clinton, Obama, Pelosi, Paul, etc)? What information can you cite to in order to back up your statements?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 18 at 2017 7:52 PM

2017-12-18T19:52:17-05:00

I look at the arguments being used against them. Like you said, everyone has opinions and the problem with opinions is when people present them as credible facts. Typically when I'm attacking an argument, it forces me to look up the information to prove the other person they are wrong.

I'm not going to change their mind, but now I have fact based arguments instead of arguments based on emotional knee jerk reactions.

It's easy to agree with someone when you like what they're selling. It's even harder to agree with them when you have to look up the information the opposition is bringing to the table.

Regarding information to cite, I'm going to use whatever I have at my disposal. Obviously I'll try not to use anything with a known bias. Sometimes you'll have to read the same thing from multiple sources just so you can sift through the bias and find the real meat and potatoes.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Dec 18 at 2017 9:58 PM

2017-12-18T21:58:55-05:00

Hillary Clinton stating that the Supreme court was wrong on District of Columbia v. Heller. Which basically stated that the 2nd amendment is the 2nd amendment....

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Dec 19 at 2017 9:20 AM

2017-12-19T09:20:11-05:00

Typically, when there is a politician that has broken most (if not all) of the rules/laws, that I have to learn, in my annual SCI Refresher, OPSEC, Cyber Awareness, and Insider Threat training, then I will vote against them. Also, I tend to detest "career" politicians. When all things are equal, I will vote for someone that had a career in something other than politics. (Military, Medicine, Business, etc)

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 19 at 2017 11:35 AM

2017-12-19T11:35:08-05:00

I used to like to see their voting records. It's easy to say they are for or against something but pretty hard to hide what they supported or didn't and if they were present or not for voting on issues. Currently though I don't think it is as useful with folks voting more as blocks than as individuals or reps of their constituents.

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Dec 19 at 2017 10:20 PM

2017-12-19T22:20:58-05:00

I respect or detest politicians based on whether they keep their word or not. For instance, the Republicans made promises to take the monkey called the ACA off my back, and made many symbolic votes to repeal it while there was no chance to repeal it, all the while asking for my support to give them more power to repeal it. As soon as I helped give them that power, they choked. That put a real bad taste in my mouth for them.

Another instance is outlandish claims that indicate they are completely out of touch. For instance, in 2008 Hillary Clinton stated the Iraqi suicide bombers just needed more hugs. As I was in country at the time and saw the results of their work, I was willing to escort her into sector so she could hug some suicide bombers. However, the 300 meter rule applied.

I also respect or detest politicians based on whether they must keep the laws I must also keep. For instance, I am not allowed to keep secret or above information on my personal electronic devices. When I hear stories of certain congress people or senators that do not, and are not prosecuted as I was informed I would be, it both disgusts and infuriates me.