What should service members consider when voting in 2016?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 13:20:52 -0400

Not trying to start trouble, just trying to give people something to think about they may not have considered before.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 2:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 14:00:59 -0400

Their stance on Russia, how they feel about the war on terrorist, and their view of military are very impotent that I think many wont think or ask about

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 2:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 14:49:49 -0400

Data, data, data. A CBO reviewed economic policy and an approach to social issues that don't sound like they're based in the 1950's.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 3:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:09:40 -0400

Regardless of who you decide to vote for, always remember that talk is cheap. Instead of voting for a candidate based on what they say, or how great they look or sound on TV, look at their voting record. Those are hard facts where politicians are required to take to go on the record and practice what they preach. Character, integrity, intelligence...these are some of the concerns that should drive your selection. Whatever you do decide to do, educate yourself during the process, and don't be a low information voter.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 14 at 2014 3:42 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:42:35 -0400

Congruence.
Between the voter's positions and those of the candidate(s).

And who has the best swag.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 17 at 2014 11:47 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:47:29 -0400

Someone with a spine, and a pair, provided they are male, and who can come up with more solutions than excuses.

They cannot have the last name Clinton, Bush, Obama, or any other politician in the beltway that has their permanent address at Capitol Hill... All else is negotiable.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 1:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 01:17:51 -0400

Simple. Character, honesty and ethics.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 4:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:56:04 -0400

consider the direction of the country. If you are happy or satisfied with that, vote for whomever most holds to that direction. If you are not happy and find yourself disenfranchised with the country's direction, vote for whomever is offering something different.

Unfortunately, you might not get the different that you want thanks to our two-party system.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Jul 7 at 2014 5:43 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:43:56 -0400

In 2016 Service members should consider the impact of that candidate with their personal and professional needs and what is valued in the now and for their future.

For example, if the SM is leaving the military for whatever reason, what are the candidate's position on veteran issues, such as health, jobs, education?

My contribution to the discussion would be like mindedness and perception between the candidate and registered voter may impact a decisive outcome. However, military personnel vote for various reasons, such as their spouse or friends, or organization vote for a specific person, or proposal, or they feel its the right thing to do. Whichever or whomever the military vote does impact the national election process.

Many Americans do not know how the military fits in a national and global economy. They just don't know, maybe because they are busy with their own lives and local challenges. I could be wrong. It is my perception.

Voting in a national political election is an individual right. Of the limited rights that military Service members have, the right to vote in a national political election has been bought and paid for by others who have served. The armed forces leads the country by example when it comes to voting in a national election.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Nov 1 at 2014 10:12 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:12:11 -0400

Actions. Nothing speaks louder than actions, or at least to the informed voter. If you base your vote on looks, talk, and who slung the best mud during the campaign, chances are, you will be wearing the mud.

We have an opportunity that I did not have when I served. Everything is right at our fingertips. What they say, vote on, and even some of their reasons are just a few clicks away.