Voting Soon? How to Effectively Choose Who to Vote For

By Karl Rivera Posted in Action Politics

Posted on September 21, 2018August 1, 2018

When it comes to making decisions regarding who to support and who to cast that ballot for, things can get pretty confusing and even quite conflicting. This is why it is important to have a particular system in place that can help you make good and grounded decisions.

Today, we wanted to discuss the idea of choosing who to vote for. Specifically, we wanted to address how a potential voter could effectively choose who to vote for so when the day comes, there will be no doubt left in their minds about it.

The Decision

Choosing who to vote for is quite important as the person that you potentially vote for has one more vote which can secure the position for them. When they manage to actually secure that post, their thoughts and their actions will affect more than just you—their policies have the potential to affect everyone in your state and in your country.

We’ve found that when we are conflicted about who to vote for, we ask ourselves some pretty specific questions to help narrow down the choices. Here are some of those questions:

What are your personal political leanings?

To be honest, there would be very little sense to consider voting for someone that is of the opposing party especially when your ideals conflict with theirs. You should be choosing the one that you feel would best espouse and forward the ideas that you have—that’s the whole point of choosing a representative.

Determine your political leanings first and then you can get to the question below.

Who are the options?

If you are in the USA, the choices will be laid out for you. The ruling parties like to keep things tidy and they will usually have narrowed the choices down to at least two to three individuals. Once you see who the choices are, go to the question below.

What are the achievements of the person running?

When it comes to politics, results are everything. Someone can talk big game but in the end what they have transformed into actions is what will count. When you are looking to choose for someone to vote for, it is important that the ones that you are considering are known for action and not just talking. Try to find out what they’ve done so far and if they don’t have any experience yet, what have they achieved prior to running for office?

The last thing anyone needs to vote another relative of a politician into power simply because they have blood ties to someone who held the post before.

So there you have it! We’ve shared some ways you can narrow down who you choose when it’s time to cast a vote. We hope that the information we’ve shared comes in handy—it sure helped us. Now we’d like to hear from you. What do you do when it’s time to choose someone to vote for? What are you standards and what questions do you like to ask?

Should Every Democratic Country Have an Election Process Like the American Presidential Primaries?

By Karl Rivera Posted in Action Politics

Posted on August 31, 2018August 1, 2018

Democracy is a form of government wherein duly elected representatives are trusted to forward ideas that are for the benefit of their constituents. The USA has always been the beacon of which democracy has been based upon. Given that they are the ones that the world looks to whenever the topic of democracy comes up, does it also follow that democratic countries should have an election process like the presidential primaries of the USA?

What are the Presidential Primaries?

The USA is a federal government which means that every state has its own set of laws and, incidentally, its own state-level elections. So how do many states choose a single person for the presidential office? What is weird about US politics is the fact that there is no particular set of rules which state how candidates are selected.

It just so happened that the ruling parties (democratic, republican, and even independent) eventually decided their rules and went along with it. While one would think that the general public would be choosing their candidates, you would be wrong. What happens is that a single person is chosen in the end following an unofficial election. In the 2016 US election, the Democratic Party chose between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

In the end, it was Hillary Clinton that won that unofficial election and she was the one who was going to face the chosen representative of the Republican Party and if someone was chosen, an Independent runner.

Should Ever Democratic Country Follow This?

While the process seems to be thought out, it is generally problematic because of a few things:

It Limits Choices

When you do not like who wins, you generally fell like there is no choice to be made. This makes people very unlikely to vote in the coming election. This decision is one which can be echoed throughout the nation. Every vote lost is a dangerous thing. A lot of the people were very torn over the decision between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

While the Democratic Party tried very hard to push Hillary Clinton as the right choice—those who were very keen on following her political progress new that she wasn’t very squeaky clean. She had a lot to answer for and there wasn’t enough accountability coming from her camp. At the same vein, Donald Trump was spouting a lot of ideas which were quite polarizing and alienated a lot of his constituents in general.

In the end, we feel that while the US American primaries sort of streamlines the whole process of choice, it is that very same lack of choice which makes voter turnout very low—especially in the era of social media. We believe that while the US was once THE bastion for democracy, it no longer holds that title and other democratic countries should choose an election process that suits them best.

So there you have it! We’ve given you our answer to this particular question but we would really love to hear your thoughts. Do you believe that every democratic country out there should follow suit regarding their election process? What benefits would having a system like the US primaries have?

Your Presence Counts: Why Showing Up At Rallies and Election Day Matters

By Karl Rivera Posted in Action Involvement

Posted on July 24, 2018August 1, 2018

Whenever people come together in support of a particular cause, incredible things can happen. This is something that rings true in the world of politics. Great political events have always involved a large amount of people who have come together over a shared belief.

Effects of Digital Numbers

We have seen this happen over and over again in the course of human history and not much has changed in that regard. The trouble is that more and more people are content to simply express their views on their social media platforms. It seems that not enough time or thought is given past liking or retweeting that supports or reflects your own. When the people are more involved in the digital sphere, the outrage doesn’t really translate all that well.

This is something that we’ve seen in the 2016 US Presidential Election and this is also something that we have seen during the monumental Brexit vote. A lot of people were very vocal about who they were supporting or what side they were on. However, when the big day came—the actual election day—only a half of the purported numbers bothered to show up. It seems those who were so vocal online believed that their side was going to win anyway so what’s one less vote—right?

Well, it seems that millions of people thought that way and therefore the side they were supporting actually lost simply because the opposition had the physical numbers and physical turnout to support them.

Why Physical Presence is Critical

Physical presence on the days that matter is vital for the success of the side you are on. When there are rallies, showing up to showcase your support helps to give courage to those that did not find the will to be there that day. Physical presence helps to empower those that have been silenced.

Armchair activism helps very little in the grand scheme of things. While outrage culture has made some people lose their jobs or enacted change in certain brands, in the world of politics, physical presence matters the most. When there are rallies, it is important to show up. On the day of the election itself, every single person is one vote that can turn the tide toward the side that you support. This is why physical presence matters a whole deal.

So there you have it! We’ve given our views regarding the importance of showing up to rallies and election days. Do you think that there is some merit to our ideas? Do you believe that the physical presence of individuals matter a lot—especially when the realm of politics is concerned?

The Power of Voices: Why You Shouldn’t Stay Silent About Injustice

By Karl Rivera Posted in Involvement Politics

Posted on July 9, 2018August 1, 2018

In the recent months, the USA has seen quite a drastic departure from their old reputation as the leader of the free world—especially when it comes to respecting the rights of human life. There have been a lot of cases where the sitting president, Donald Trump, has spoken words that could be construed as inflammatory, divisive, and even outright abhorrent.

These words empowered individuals that seek to be as disruptive and divisive as they can be. There are a lot of policies which are enacted upon by Trump’s government that do not sit well with a lot of his constituents like the child separation policy at the border when refugees are aiming to seek asylum in the USA. There are a lot of cases of racism and acts of violence perpetuated upon persons of color or minorities that often go unpunished.

Speaking Out

When the government or the police do not do anything about this, what is to be done? Simple: you don’t stay quiet about it.

Injustice Proliferates Amidst Silence

Injustice is something that can only continue if no one dares to speak out and act out about it. If people all know that injustice is being done but do nothing—it is as if they are actively giving their consent regarding it. Everyone—yes, everyone—has a social responsibility to ensure that their environment is conducive for justice, equality, and fairness.

Injustice Affects Us All

When we allow injustice to prevail, we are setting ourselves up for collective failure later on. You may think that this is not possible—after all if injustice only targets a specific set of people and you don’t fall under that particular category, what do you have to fear?

As it turns out: A LOT! When governments and people in power are able to get away with persecuting a particular set of their constituents, they are more likely to commit more acts of atrocities in the future. We’ve seen this when Hitler was in control of Germany. We have seen this when Marcos had control of the Philippines. Injustice isn’t just something that affects a few people. In the end, we are all affected despite the best efforts to pretend that it doesn’t.

So there you have it! We’ve given a few reasons why you should not stay silent about injustice when it happens around you—especially when it is something that is so actively so negative and hateful. Always remember that it is through the inaction of the many that the few are able to get away with so much. With that we’d like to pass on a question to you. Do you think people should stay silent when they see injustice? What are the merits of speaking out about it?

Social Media and Politics: How This New Platform Changed Political Discourse

By Karl Rivera Posted in Platforms Politics

Posted on June 25, 2018August 1, 2018

People in general are more vocal about their ideas and opinions regarding politics; but then again, they always have been. So what makes it more visible in today’s world? The answer takes two simple words: Social Media.

Today, we would like to take a look at how social media has changed political discourse as a whole—regardless of the country it is in. Let’s get started!

Social Media and Its Effects

When it comes down to it, social media has really changed a lot of things. Back then, people were more inclined to keep personal information to themselves. In today’s world you would find it stranger when people don’t share what they had for lunch or what they were planning to do for a particular holiday or event.

In the world where information is so readily shared, what does that mean for the world of political discourse? Here are a few noticeable changes that we’ve seen:

People are visibly more vocal

You would be hard-pressed to find a social media platform that isn’t used to express one’s thoughts on recent political developments. It isn’t just for everyday individuals. Even celebrities make use of social media to express their outrage, their dissent, and even their agreement regarding newer policies which are enacted upon by the ruling government.

People share news faster

Back in the day, one had to rely on the newspapers or the radio broadcasts to stay abreast of updates regarding politics, political figures, and the general decisions which affect the lives of many. Social media has made sharing information and spreading information faster than it takes to blink. Someone could upload a piece of news or a quote and it could reach millions—especially if the person that shares it is a reputable individual or an account owned by a media outlet.

Social media made things more toxic

Not every aspect or result of social media interaction is a positive one. The visibility in which one share’s their political ideas now makes them a potential target for harassment by people who do not share the same ideas or political leanings. Usually, disagreements were in person as opposing sides would meet on the streets during protests or campaign season—now the battlefield has become digital and social media has become the perfect tool for using words as weapons.

Social media platforms are used in ways that the creators never expected. Instead of just being used to share personal pictures, social media has been used to share quick news updates and their ideas in a swift manner. The range in which their thoughts are spread is quite vast and cannot be understated. This is only one of the few ways that social media platforms have changed political discourse for good.

So there you have it! We’ve pointed out a few ways that social media has changed the face of political discussions. What ways have you seen it change things? What personal examples can you cite?

Healthy Habits: How You Can Stay Sane in the Realm of Politics

By Karl Rivera Posted in Constituents Politics

Posted on June 11, 2018August 1, 2018

It can be quite trying to be civil or to even be sane with the constant bickering that goes on whenever the topic of politics is brought up. It can be seriously draining; this is why it is important to know how to stay sane in the realm of politics.

Staying Sane

There is no denying the fact that the realm of politics can be one of the most divisive topics to approach. No matter where in the world you go, you will come across another individual that may have opposing views as yourself. In order to maintain your sanity and your cohesive line of thinking, take these few tips with you:

Don’t Take Things Personally

Another person’s political view is based on their own beliefs—it is not an attack on your own. While it may be contradictory to your own, you must learn to separate yourself from the political beliefs of other people. This is difficult; we know. However, if you take everything so personally, you will always be carrying that baggage with you.

Decompress When You Can

This means channeling your energies into something that you find therapeutic. You can work out at a gym, channel your frustrations into art, you can even write about it. Don’t just hold in the frustration or anger that you feel as stress can lead into health problems down the road.

Whenever you are tempted to speak out of turn or say anything inflammatory because of politics, it is important to remember that you are speaking to another person just like you. Just because the conversation may be happening across a screen doesn’t mean that there isn’t another living, breathing person reading your words. Kindness is still an important part of being of a productive discussion—regardless of the situation.

So there you have it! We’ve discussed a few ways how you can maintain your cool whenever you talk about politics in general. Do you make use of these things yourself? What do you personally do to ensure that you stay sane in the realm of politics?

The Importance of Discussion: Why Talking About Politics Is Important

By Karl Rivera Posted in Constituents Politics

Posted on May 28, 2018August 1, 2018

In the world that we live in today, it can be quite harrowing to discuss politics. This, however, should not dissuade individuals from talking about it. In fact, let’s take a look at why it is important to talk about politics.

The Importance of Talking About It

While there will be a lot of individuals that feel that more discussions about politics only lead to arguments and cuss words, we feel those are individuals that are exposed to the wrong kind of discussions. Politics is a subject which affects everyone because of policies which are passed and maintained by the law.

Here is why it is important to talk about politics:

It Raises Awareness

Whenever there are issues in the existing political system, it is because of officials who are willfully ignorant or incompetent to handle the job. Talking about politics in general will help to raise public awareness about policies or politicians that really shouldn’t be voted into the position in the future.

It Promotes Involvement

When people don’t take part in the politics of their country or even their localized politics, this allows problematic individuals to take hold of power. When people are more comfortable about talking about politics, the better chances they have of being actually involved. Keeping track on who’s running, what sort of policies are being promoted—all these are under the watchful eye of those that discuss politics.

When it comes to the topic of politics, being open and honest with your thoughts and your feelings is important. This is how you can really get your ideas across and find people you can converse with that will not devolve into hurling insults or going with opinion rather than facts. The discussion of politics is essential if there is to be any true and effective change in our collective futures.

So there you have it! We’ve given a few points regarding the importance of talking about politics. What about you? Do you think there is any merit to the discussion of politics? What do you think can be obtained through discussions about politics?

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