Examine Political Platforms Before Casting Your Vote

   Are you undecided as to who to vote for in the November 8th presidential elections? Do you find Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both extremely lacking as potential presidential leaders?  Before you throw up your hands in disgust, shake your fist at the candidates and vow to sit-out this election consider this: the political party that emerges victorious in November will have the power to change the American landscape as never before, affecting individual lives from pre-born to the aged. This truth makes your vote, and mine, in this election year, all the more important. But how do we choose between two candidates with questionable character traits and flawed behavior?

   In his book, One Vote, former presidential candidate Ben Carson, offers three guidelines in evaluating political candidates and their party. Carson suggests we review their voting record and how they voted on past issues; learn how they propose to vote on  future issues; and perhaps most important, compare their values with our own.  Voters often make the mistake of choosing a candidate solely on his or her personality and are then  surprised to discover the candidate’s hidden agenda for America.  Barack Obama is a prime example of that mistake, which makes reviewing the party platform of each candidate all the more important this year. 

   The September issue of Decision magazine answers that call, providing a ...