There’s a debate going on; perhaps you’ve noticed. There’s actually more than one… there’s the debate over who should be President, the debate whether each/either has the necessary integrity, and then there are the actual, formal debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Due to the observations that substance seems secondary to style and objectivity seems scarce, I solicited the help of 10 likely voters, each persons for whom I have tremendous respect. They are a diverse group — in all demographics — including equally left, right, and somewhere in between. But they are each politically active and interested, committed to education and respect, and earnestly desiring of solution. I asked them what they’d like to ask the candidates. Here is Part 1…
One side is never all right; the other side is never all wrong. Tell me something the other side has right.
What do you believe are America’s top 2 strengths and top 2 weaknesses? How would you invest in America to improve in all of these areas?
Many people claim that they don’t have faith in either nominee. If elected, how would you unify the country so we can make progress both in our areas of strength and weakness?
In your professional life, have you ever faced a decision that was at odds with your religious beliefs, and if so, what was it and what was your decision?
Do you support term limits for members of Congress, and if so, how committed are you to fighting for that legislation during your first term?
Do you think it is necessary to limit the amount of time a person can serve in elected government, and depending on your answer, why or why not? What should the proper time frame be if your answer is “yes”?
Candidates and incumbents discuss how they are for campaign finance reform, and as soon as the election is over, it is ignored. What are you willing to pledge to do to ensure that real reform happens and that these changes are enforced?
Where do you stand with abolishing Citizens United and getting the money out of our political process?
Is reversing Citizens United v. FEC necessary to purify the election process and get rid of all the impurities of special interest? If not, please explain.
Based on recent traffic statistics are you willing to push for a nationwide ban on hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle?
Do you believe that the cost of higher education is out of control, and what if anything do you plan to do about it?
Why is the interest rate on student loans higher than that of buying a home or a car?
With the decline in manufacturing jobs and good paying jobs for non-college bound high school graduates scarce, how are we creating livable wage jobs for that segment of society?
Please discuss our crumbling public school systems and what type of ideas you have to work with local and state officials to help stop the brain drain in our schools.
Do you believe that the current level of standardized testing in our public schools benefits the students?
Explain how bureaucrats in the Department of Education are more qualified to determine curriculum than the educators at the local level?
Do you think it is appropriate to use children that are not yours in campaign ads to vilify another candidate?
Do you feel it’s appropriate to vilify your opponent? Or is it a necessary evil? If the latter, please explain your justification for evil.
What would you do to improve very strained race relations in our communities? What are three steps that can be taken to implement your idea?
How do you reconcile the concepts of black, blue, and all lives mattering? How do you lead wisely, making all groups feel valued and heard, violating no one’s civil rights?
Do you believe in reparations for slavery? Please specifically explain your answer.
Is white privilege real or really a partisan talking point?
How are your policies going to make life easier for the middle class?
How will you balance keeping us safe without becoming “Big Brother” and compromising our freedom and privacy?
How is it conscionable to leave our children $20 trillion in debt? What specifically are you going to do not only to get the federal budget under control, but to start paying down the debt?
There is quite a spirited debate concerning illegal immigrants and the rights and services that should be extended to them. With a national debt that is spiraled out of control, what are you willing to cut to offer those services and how is that going to affect those with legal citizenship?
How is a plan to cut taxes not going to increase our national debt?
Social Security and Medicare have no prayer of being solvent after the tsunami of Baby Boomers hit retirement, yet any politician who even brings up trying to address this is immediately portrayed as trying to take away seniors’ benefits, to their political ruin. How can this problem be fixed in this political environment?
Are you politically brave enough to stop kicking the “reduce-the-debt” can further down the road?
Can you stop arguing about climate change? What is fact and what is not? What can we do that doesn’t burden us with increased debt?
Politicians used to campaign hard against each other, then govern together. Today, politicians are in constant campaign mode. If the other side has a good idea, it is automatically opposed, because we can’t allow them to get political points. How will you roll back the vitriol that is the current state of politics?
Stay tuned for more on Sunday… gun control, terrorism and more will be covered…
Respectfully… and with great respect and gratitude to our 10 diverse contributors…
AR
Great questions! Would that the candidates be willing to answer them.
Based on those incredible question, yes, there are more qualified, intelligent people who we could have nominated and they seem to have been in your survey group.