I am fed up with the tactic of candidates attacking each other regarding issues that in fact have little or nothing to do with becoming the President of the United States. Name calling, personal assaults, and criticism of past mistakes which have been talked about ad infinitum, although they were reconciled, is a pitiful practice in American politics.

Voters must focus on the issues important to the majority of the American people and vote for the candidate they believe will best serve them.

Sadly, Donald Trump is the only Republican who has spoken about the issues. I believe that the majority of Americans disagree with most of his rhetoric, but he is actually saying something. He has promised that if he were to be elected in November he would work with both parties to accomplish the needs of our nation.

I despise when he belittles individuals who disagree with him. His ‘thin skin’ is a flaw which our president should not possess. Overall, after seven debates, I believe that he would be the best choice offered by the GOP.

Ted Cruz is the most unpopular Congressman in Washington; he has earned it. He is too extreme for any thinking person and has been the destructive force in government since he was sworn in as the junior Senator from Texas. He has admitted that he is a Christian first and an American second. He would not represent me or millions of others in our nation who are not religious. He plans to destroy every advantage made for the working class in the last 60 years, including health insurance for millions who previously could not afford it; but he wants to keep his benefits.

I believe that Cruz would be the worst choice for the GOP nomination. He has never spoken about a single issue important to the majority of Americans.

Cruz claims to be an ‘outsider’ and criticizes everyone else in Washington with the exception of himself. The truth is that he is the problem in Washington. His obstructionist tactics have been instrumental in destroying our government. He does not have a single endorsement from a Senator for his candidacy.

Both of the leading Democratic candidates are highly qualified to lead our nation, and constantly reveal, in detail, their plans to repair the ills of our nation.

Bernie Sanders is one of only two true Independents in the Senate. His ideas would save our nation for the working class, and insure the future of America by educating our young.

I am fearful that because he is a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, his opponent would incorrectly label him a communist. He simply believes that all Americans should share in the success of capitalism, not just the one-percent.

Hillary Clinton has been labeled by some as the most qualified candidate in the last six decades. Republicans have attempted to distract this fact by focusing on non-scandals such as Benghazi and the use of her personal e-mail for State business. She has been a champion of equality for women and the well-being of children for nearly 50 years.

When Trump began his campaign and his numbers rose, I was a huge critic; and I remain so about his policies regarding immigration and Muslims. But after listening to, and reading comments, made by his adversaries, he is the far better choice for Republicans.

Although I am uncertain about his ability to win the general election, I believe Bernie Sanders is the most courageous candidate in either party. I have always been an Independent, and often voted for someone who I believed could not win; but I always voted for who I believed was the best candidate.

Senator Sanders would bring our nation back to greatness. The majority of Americans would have their country back from those who have destroyed our Democratic Republic, as they ignored the needs and desires of the constituents.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of AFGE

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