The two candidates for president this year could not be more different.
One is a controversial businessman, an outlier and maverick with a lot of character issues. People either love him or hate him. There is no in between. He is bending the Republican party towards his personal political philosophy of America First.
The other is a career good-old-boy politician, a likeable insider with a broad smile, but who reveals his age with frequent public gaffes. He’s getting a lot of pressure from the far left.
Neither candidate possesses the attributes we would love to see in our president.
But in a sense this election is not about either of them. The Democratic party has become heavily influenced by the progressive left, which advocates broad socialistic leanings and strong international ties. The Republican party under Trump is moving further to the right, prioritizing domestic economy and internal security over international relations. The divide between the two parties has widened and there exists no sense of compromise or willingness to work together for the common good of America. The electioneering has descended into character assassinations, accusations and finger pointing. Neither party seems able to agree with the other on anything and the media fans the flames, digging up whatever they can from the past that will embarrass and hopefully swing voters one way or the other. There seems no time and little inclination to unveil to the people comprehensive, detailed, and well-thought-out policy statements on which voters can focus and with which they can make an informed selection. Most Americans are probably somewhere in between the two extremes, but that’s not a choice we have.
This election is of dire importance. The results could have far reaching and long-lasting consequences for the future form of government in this country; whether we remain a liberal capitalist democracy or whether we transform into some level of socialism. God help us to choose the right path.
- – – – Just the view of a common man.
Views of a Common Man 
Good blog but I think Trump outlined his views for the future very well unlike Biden Mona Sent from my iPad
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Your comments are on target. Let’s hope the voters make the right choice.
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Ollie’s comments on Election 2020 were well spoken, fair, and neutral. The role of government is the core of the philosophical disagreement between the two parties. Assuming that the public votes for a party (and not just the candidate), there are interesting differences. In a simple “nutshell”, Democrats believe that government should be responsible for the people in some way, and Republicans believe that less government is better.
Four Identifiable Differences
Republicans: (1)Conservative in his/her ideas: (2)Does not accept the concept of a larger federal government; (3) Believes more in economic equity than any other factor; (4) Believes that all solutions to problems lay with the people themselves rather than with the government. Democrats: (1) Believes in the principles of a republic, thus, in the power of the majority; (2) Liberal in his/her ideas; (3) Accepts the concept of a larger federal government; (4) The various schemes of the government should benefit people of all classes, rather than individual interests.
Other Differences (Wattenberg and E. Baiamonte)
Ben Wattenberg, author, wrote that Democrats believe and have in the past always exercised the belief that the US government should decrease military spending and commit those funds to social-welfare development. They also believe that war with external parties should be avoided at all costs, even when the national security is threatened. Comparatively, Republicans are usually referred to as pro-war and usually advocate for increased military spending and will not hesitate to go to war with anyone if the national security is slightly threatened. To the Republicans, protecting American lives at all costs is the mandate and sovereign role of the government, and it should never be sacrificed at the altar of diplomacy. Further, the Republicans believe solemnly that if taxes are to be raised, the raise should apply to everyone. The difference is captured well in the bills that each party supports and passes. Democrats are currently in support of the new health bill that mandates the government to pay for a universal healthcare program. The Republicans have been convinced that the individuals and or the companies should pay for the health program and not the government
From an economic perspective, author Edward Baiamonte contends that the fundamental differences between the two parties lies mainly on the priority in spending, sources of government revenue (taxation), and national economic objectives. The Democratic Party believes in the so called welfare economic ideals that place more importance on pro-poor programs, minimum wage increment and increased taxation on the wealthy. Distinctly, the Republicans are neutral when it comes to welfare initiatives and do not prescribe to the pro-poor government initiatives
Lawyers and the Elections
As a lawyer, I admit that we will litigate over contested elections. Remember Bush v. Gore where many lawyers lined up on both sides? I predict that after this election, the losing party will claim “voter fraud”, and there will be lawyers once again lined up on both sides.
This may only be of interest to political geeks or someone who studies the candidates willing to run for a public office, but in the 25 elections since 1924, including this one, there has not been a single contest in which at least one of the candidates for president or vice president was not a lawyer. Including this election with Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, 14 of those elections have had three of the four candidates as attorneys. Of the other 11 elections, in 7 of them there were two attorneys running; in 4 there was only one lawyer in the group (1960 Richard Nixon; 1964 William Miller for VP; 1980 Walter Mondale; 2000 Joe Lieberman)
Campaign Rhetoric
The outrageous rhetoric you hear today from members of each party is civil compared to the past campaigns. For example, John Adams called Alexander Hamilton (who was born out of wedlock) “a bastard brat of a Scottish peddler”. Lincoln was called a “rail-splitting baboon”.
Conclusion
Mark Twain had a good idea when he said, “Politicians and diapers should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.”
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Thanks Jeanette, for your insightful comments. Unfortunately I’m afraid you’re right and we will likely be in for another legal battle over the election results. Just pray that there will not be an outbreak of violence. Ollie
Sent from my iPad
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