Why listening to candidates is so imporant

There are two people running for the office that heads our county government here in Oregon. One of them

• doesn't believe libraries should do anything but lend books and videos (he has a big problem with "all these language classes and other stuff they offer now"), 
• believes there aren't any homeless or mental illness problems in our county that nonprofits and churches aren't "handling", 
• believes our county's affordable housing crisis will be solved by tax breaks for private companies, and 
• believes that the way to handle traffic congestion is to build more roads and synchronize traffic lights. 

I've learned all of this by attending two forums - newspaper stories and his website make him appear relatively sensible, if just center-right politically.

I have a feeling most of the people that want to support this person don't realize what they are voting for.

Pay attention to your local races, folks. MAKE time to hear these people speak. I have a feeling most of the people that want to support this person don't realize what they are voting for.

Hillary as President

So, I'm back to saying, yes, I'm going to vote for Hillary Clinton. No, I don't feel enthusiastic about the vote. And, no, I am not going to stop criticizing her for her positions and actions that are counter to the progressive values and future of the Democratic Party - like her choice of Vice President. I'm not going to stop during the election, and if she's elected, I'm not going to stop while she's President. And don't you dare accuse me of picking on her because she's a woman. I judge people by actions far more than words, so quit sending me her campaign quotes - look at her record. The truth is always in actions.

And I stand by my belief that you do not HAVE to vote for her. You don't.

But I can't vote for any of the smaller party candidates: I'm not at all a Libertarian, Dr. Jill Stein's comments about vaccines are deeply disturbing, aand if the Socialist Party USA makes an unusable web site, they can hardly be expected to run a country.

I'm not going to say Hillary Clinton is the lesser of two evils and that's why I'm voting for her. Because it's not why I'm voting for her. I'm voting for her because, of every person running for office, including the smaller parties, she's by far the most-qualified and has the most in common with me in terms of political beliefs. She's pro-choice enough for me, I don't think she's going to flip flop on gay marriage or any LBGT issues again, and I don't think she's going to be fooled by Putin. I think she will appoint qualified people for most positions. I believe I'll agree with at least 70% of her environmental and economic policies. I believe she's got the credentials, the understanding, the temperament and the knowledge to be President. For the record, while I did NOT support him, I felt the same about Mitt Romney and the first George Bush. But not the second George Bush. And I do NOT feel this way about Donald Trump AT ALL.

But I say again: quit demanding people vote for her. If she wants people's vote, let her work for them. Respect and votes are something you earn. Emphasize the vision from the Democratic Party Convention, not just fear-mongering about Trump. LEAD.