Clinton and Trump on the issues

Clinton and Trump: Cutting Through The Bull

The View from the Middle

I’m aligned with the vast majority of Americans who have decided that they don’t like either of our Presidential candidates.  Their combined negatives are so high they will certainly set a record for unlikability that will never be challenged.  When almost 60% of voters just don’t like either candidate, it creates a dilemma – should I vote for the one I hate less or should I just not vote at all?  I obviously encourage everyone to vote, so let’s all agree that these two people are jerks and let’s take a look at their positions on key issues and see if we can make an informed decision out of these mud slinging campaigns.

Let’s start with the areas where they either agree or where it will have the least impact.  For example, their stances on Entitlements are so close that it will not make a difference which candidate you vote for.  Neither one wants to cut SS or Medicare and neither has talked about how they will fix it.  This is the “ostrich” position, which I hate, but they both have their heads firmly in the sand - so no difference.

Abortion is another area that will not see much change no matter which candidate wins.  Trump has joined Clinton and much of the country and now supports access to abortion for rape, incest and health of the mother.  I’m also good with that.  Both candidates are against late term abortions, and should get snaps for that.  Hillary, however, is for abortion on demand and neither candidate is talking about how we should reduce the number of abortions.  They are close on the position and I also see little change no matter who wins.

Gun Control will also change little no matter who wins.  Hillary and Donald do hold very different views in this area, but nothing will come from these differences unless the Supreme Court changes dramatically, which I put as a separate issue.  Even LGBT rights should not be a big issue this year.  Sure, Trump is in favor of defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman (which Hillary supported not long ago), but neither candidate is anti-gay and both support transgender bathroom choice, which I believe is an issue waiting for an actual disturbance.

In the war on terror, Hillary wants to topple Assad (today) and Donald doesn’t.  Both talk tough but promise little.  Maybe that’s OK.  I really don’t want to tell ISIS our game plan anyway.  Even in the area of trade there are some similarities.  Both candidates oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (today) and oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which I’ll define as NAFTA plus.  Donald would impose some tariffs on countries that tilt the playing field in their favor, and I’m in favor of this so I might give a slight edge to Donald on trade.

In terms of Criminal Justice reform, Hillary is for adjusting non-violent crime sentencing and Donald has not taken a stance there.  That’s a slight edge for Hillary in my book.  And when it comes to the economy, you’re going to call me crazy, but it’s probably a draw.  Hillary supports a national $15 minimum wage, which I think is insane.  Let each state decide what that should be.  But most economists suggest that the best outcome for the country economically speaking is a Clinton in the White House and Republican control of both Houses of Congress.  In other words, business likes a government of deadlock and inactivity vs. a productive one.

So what are the big areas of difference?  Let’s start with Energy.  Donald and Hillary cannot be more different in this area and I consider this a huge subject.  Hillary is a climate change tunnel visionary and Trump is a global warming agnostic, as am I.  Hillary would like to ban off shore drilling and supports the Paris Accord.  Trump - not so much.  Finally, Hillary STILL would not approve the Keystone Pipeline despite the fact that it will produce thousands of short-term and long-term jobs with virtually no impact on the environment (maybe even a positive affect vs. alternative ways to transport this oil). Trump would approve Keystone.  Trump wins big on energy with me.

Healthcare is another important issue with vast differences between the candidates.  The differences, however, are not complicated.  Both candidates want a healthier America.  How they want to deliver that is disparate.  Hillary, obviously, supports Obamacare and would even move to a single payer system if she had her way.  Donald Trump would try to repeal and replace Obamacare with free market forces.  Make your choice.  Since I distrust the government, you can probably guess which solution I prefer.

Another issue with vast differences between the candidates is Immigration.  Donald wants to build a wall.  I translate that to “stronger border security”.  He also wants to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.  Hillary opposes the wall and supports sanctuary cities.  Finally, Trump has recently softened his position on illegals that currently live in the US.  He supports citizenship for military service and wants to continue studying how to handle the law-abiding illegals.  You would think the left would applaud this change, but they have raked him over the coals for flip-flopping vs. cheering his new position.

In the area of education, Trump wants school choice and Hillary is a big public school supporter.  This actually confuses me.  When Bill was President, public schools were available for Chelsea to attend, but they chose to send Chelsea to the fancy schmancy Sidwell Friends School.  That name just reeks of elitism.  Personally, I want every child to have the same choice in schools as the Clinton’s and the Obama’s and Bush’s had.  I support anything that will give families more control of their own educational fate, so I favor Trump’s position here.

Finally, the next President will appoint at least two and possibly four new Supreme Court Justices.  Scalia’s position is vacant and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is currently 83 years old.  If Hillary were elected, I would expect Ginsburg to retire before her first term is completed.  Justice Kennedy is 80 and Stephen Breyer is currently 78, so you can see the possibility of four appointments in the next four years. 

Donald Trump is looking for constitutionalists like Scalia for replacements.  Not a bad model!  He has even listed the eleven jurists he is considering.  I encourage you to look them up for yourself.  Hillary has two litmus tests for her candidates.  They must support Roe v. Wade and they must favor the overturn of Citizens United.  Personally, I think it is inappropriate to demand specific decisions on specific issues for potential Justices.  What we all want are bright, experienced, trustworthy jurists who will uphold the constitution.   

Hillary best represents the establishment and Donald wants to disrupt the status quo.  No matter who you support, don’t let either side accuse you of misogyny, racism, bigotry, xenophobia, homophobia or islamaphobia for your choice of candidates this year.  Make your choice on the issues.  You may even want to carry this article around with you so that you can articulate your position and ask if your accuser has done the same due diligence.