Should our moral or contractual obligations be our point when voting?

2016-08-18T11:54:52-04:00

I strongly hold to who I am before a soldier but I love being a soldier how do you balance when you feel your unsure if they are equally important? What defines that line for you.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 18 at 2016 11:56 AM

2016-08-18T11:56:06-04:00

My vote is for who i feel will help our Nation the most.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Aug 18 at 2016 11:56 AM

2016-08-18T11:56:53-04:00

It should be the same. You know in your gut and your heart who it is that you want to vote for.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Aug 18 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-08-18T12:01:02-04:00

I vote for myself, and the people within my group. The president represents the will of the "every man". The POTUS is the result of what the nation wants. Regardless of who is POTUS, many can still obtain what they want/need. The journey just may be a bit different.

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Aug 18 at 2016 5:07 PM

2016-08-18T17:07:39-04:00

A single issue voter, which I used to be, when I wore the uniform, money for training was a big factor. How can you keep the peace without training for war?

We were going to the field and shooting 5 rounds a year. We were allowed to have 20 rounds to qualify with the rifle annually.

The only thing that Jimmy Carter could not do was take our pay away and food from the messhall.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 12:17 PM

2016-08-25T12:17:11-04:00

Here's a perspective you may find interesting: http://qz.com/717255/ethicists-say-voting-with-your-heart-without-a-care-about-the-consequences-is-actually-immoral/

I must say, though, I'm confused by what you mean when you say your "contractual" obligations. Do you mean voting for what will most likely help the Army out, because of your membership in it, regardless of any other effect? Do you mean what will most likely help you personally out, regardless of moral considerations? Or is it something else entirely? I would consider the first to be someone who doesn't understand why they should be voting, and the second to be acting selfishly.

I'm reminded of a friend I have who said that the *main* reason he's voting for Trump is because he's convinced Trump will get us into a bigger war, and faster, than Clinton would, and that that would be the necessary grounds for him to seek a waiver to come back into the Army (he was chaptered out as a 2x non-select for promotion from O3 to O4). He's still a friend, but I told him in no uncertain terms that I consider that reasoning to be morally wrong regardless of who he ends up voting for, and that he should find a better rationale for supporting his candidate.

Ethicists say voting with your heart, regardless of the consequences, is actually immoral

“The purpose of voting is not to express your fidelity to a world view."