I'll admit it, for the last 10 years of my legal voting life, I've done not much more than the minimum research on political candidates, their policies, and how these aspects would affect us economically, politically, and socially. I'm a registered Republican, and grew up in a very conservative family (my mom is VERY active in keeping up on the political scene albeit from bias sources...i.e. Foxnews). I'm just now start to take a more independent viewpoint on some issues, and maintaining a more conservative stance on others. I'm doing more research, reading, etc,. on candidates policies, fact checking statements, and trying to find sources of information that is a unbiased as possible. I'm even watching the stock market, reading economic articles, watching the ECB issue unfold and researching some, etc,. Here's just a small sampling of what I'm experiencing. I've been having a lot of issues try to find validity in my sources since as I research, I can usually find a counter argument for every argument made for or against a candidate or policy. I read Factcheck.org for a breakdown of both the DNC and RNC's, and found a lot of interesting omissions, exaggerations, etc., that all had me losing faith in the political system as a whole since much of what was promised/predicted were blanket exaggerations, or empty half-truths. Then, after digging a bit, there are claims that Factcheck.org, and the Annenberg foundation has ties to Obama and other left-wing political/non political figures. Of course, there are other sources refuting that claim as well. Then, I'll go on to read the tax policy center's reports on Romney's and Ryan's economic plan, and I read economist's opinions, and it's clear that their policies, while containing some aspects that would certainly benefit our economy, are impossible to implement given his promises to both not raise taxes for the middle class, cut tax rates across the board, and generate revenue from eliminating tax loopholes. Fast forward to the Affordable Care Act, and aside from the obvious irony that is Romney's harsh stance on repealing the Act is coming from a man who he himself oversaw a similar plan implemented under his watch as governor of Massachusetts, there are elements of the Act that DO make sense, but much of it is also government overstepping its boundaries to put a bandaid (sorry, no pun intended) on a wound that has much deeper issues. Tort reform (can be argued it has an impact on health care costs or not), fee for service, prescription costs, etc., all seem to be issues that neither side wants to address, and I don't think either side has a good answer. I'm not here to bash Romney, and I will certainly NOT be voting for Obama, but I'm apprehensive about Romney and in reality, it's no wonder why with all of the claims/counter claims that are made everywhere. This is a bit of rant, so I'll sum it up. How do you trust what you read, even if you research the source? It seems that you can almost always find something countering what one person writes with what seems to be valid arguments, and vice versa. I know some of you gave me links a few weeks back of relatively unbiased news sources, and some have been good, others, I feel are certainly more biased. I'm trying to be a more educated voter, but it's a bit tiring, and a lot of times, frustrating. I don't want to be blindly following party lines, but I also don't want to feel as if I need a degree in Political Science to make an educated decision at the polls. Thoughts? Three more weeks, and I'll be in a tree, and I'll feel better :D
Voting records certainly show a candidates intentions. Unscripted debates offer up a glimpse into a politicians motivations. Promises and follow through such as "I will do this that and the other thing in a certain time frame". Do they follow through with their promises?
No matter what news source you watch, they all are pretty much biased one way or another. If they don't have a voting record, you're screwed.
I read tons of stuff. I have been reading some of the opinions and sources for years, decades. After a while, when you have been paying attention to what is said and then, over time, see how things actually play out, you begin to see whose opinions and whose reporting is nearest to what has, or will, happen. Now that you are paying attention to the "voices" LOL you will be able to discern the ones that you trust to give you the straight facts or an honest, well thought out opinion. Give it some time, a couple years, because all the stuff you are reading and paying attention to can be a bit overwhelming. I would also try to narrow your focus to subjects you have some understanding of already or are very interested in and pay attention to those. The other stuff you can gloss over a bit to stay up-to-date but save your in-depth reading/learning for a smaller focus.
