When presentation trumps policy...

Many Americans are tired of the same ol' political establishment, with their talk of policy that's way over our heads, ignoring the issues, or the incessant lying.

A good portion of the GOP vote have tossed their hat into Donald Trump's ring. Republicans, Democrats, and the rest are perplexed at how well he has done so far. I'm one of them.

Those who support Trump seem to overlook things that have dominated our vote in the past: strategic policies and hopeful charisma. 

Two things Trump seems to lack.

I breezed through a transcript of conversation that he had with The Washington Post editorial board yesterday, and found myself analyzing his responses that took entirely too long. Much of what I read was incoherent, and his repetition of words and phrases left much to be desired from an interview.

Seriously, do we really know what he'll do when he's in office? I'm always confused by his banter.

You can read it for yourself (or listen to the audio) here.

I would have liked to have heard more about his plans rather than about buildings or his hands. 

But only presentation seems to matter. Not the character or true business deals gone wrong.

A coworker shared an NPR transcript with me about Trump's finances in the '90s. From the transcript, "He had taken on too much debt in a number of different areas, including his other casinos. And so when it came time to pay the interest payments on his junk bonds, the Trump company finances went into a tailspin."

Within ONE YEAR, the Taj Mahal filed for bankruptcy. Trump negotiated and tried to salvage his ownership of the Taj Mahal. As a result, he gave up significant ownership to the banks!

The Casino Control Commission said that Trump was in noncompliance on $1.1 billion in loans across his empire: the Taj, Trump Shuttle Airline, the Castle, Trump Palm Beach Corp., and Mar-a-Lago. To stay afloat, he gave up the airline (and a yacht).

Hard times.

In another year, Trump filed bankruptcy for his other two casinos: Castle and Plaza. To resolve those debts, he gave up half of his stake to the lenders.

What does that mean? Lenders lost money, small-time investors who bought bonds lost money, small business owners who sold to the Trump organization lost money.

And let's not look past the loan his dad gave him at Castle. I'd call it unethical and unlawful in the way it was done. Yet, Trump nor his father were found of any wrongdoing.

I'll end with this. O'Harrow pointed out a telling piece of who Trump really is through Trump's use of junk bonds, which Trump said he originally wouldn't use:

"Making promises, changing the promises or turning your back on them, suffering the consequences and then later saying, that's my prerogative."

Or, as we all know, Trump can do what he wants. Why? Because he's Donald Trump the billionaire. Money talks, and even when money speaks hate, racism, sexism, ignorance... people listen.

<insert very sad and perplexed emoji here>

Still undecided...

In less than 8 hours, many South Carolinians will wake up, drive to their polling place, and pick the candidate they feel represents their values (or the lesser of all evils).

In less than 8 hours, many South Carolinians will not exercise their vote. Maybe they're busy. Maybe the kids are sick. Maybe they just don't feel like it.

In less than 24 hours, we'll find out which candidates garnered the most support in this state.

For those who will vote in the Republican primary tomorrow and are undecided (like I still am!), I thought I'd focus on the remaining candidates for certain critical areas -- some aren't discussed enough (some are)! 

Education

Jeb Bush: School vouchers, more local power (but has supported Common Core/national standards), reduce Dept. of Education.

Ben Carson: School vouchers, more local power.

John Kasich: *Only one who has plan laid out for how to shrink the Dept. of Education*; school vouchers -- has experience with his state's EdChoice program.

Marco Rubio: *Only Republican candidate that I've seen talk about a plan for our student debt crisis and the college educational system*; vocational college-focused; increase financial aid for working students. See his quote below from The Des Moines Register on Sept. 13th, 2015:

Rubio recommended reforming the accreditation system “to welcome low-cost, innovative higher education providers,” requiring schools to inform students how much they are expected to earn with a given degree prior to offering loans, increasing financial aid programs for working students, developing alternatives to student loans and correlating loan repayment with each graduate’s income.

Read more about education stances here.

Tax Plans

Jeb Bush: Tax plan has three tax brackets of 28, 25, and 10 percent. Claims that this would increase investment, higher wages, and sustained 4% economic growth, while reducing the deficit.

Ben Carson: A 14.9% flat tax on both individuals and corporations -- no exemptions, no deductions, no shelters. Opposes the earned income tax credit, calling the tax break a manipulation of the tax system. The flat tax plan would reduce federal revenue by $5.6 trillion over the next 10 years. This plan would increase taxes on all income groups other than the top 10 percent. 

John Kasich: Reduce tax brackets from seven to three, lower top individual tax rate from 39.6% to 28%, cap the long-term capital gains tax rate at 15% (helping high-income), drop top business tax rate from 35% to 25%, eliminate the estate tax, double research & development tax credit for small businesses, and increase the earned income tax credit by 10% (helping the low-income). He also would balance the budget within eight years by freezing most spending except military.

Marco Rubio: Reduce number of tax brackets from seven to three: 15%, 25%, and 35%. Eliminate all exemptions and deductions except for charitable contribution and reformed home mortgage interest deductions. Cuts corporate tax rates to no higher than 25%. Provide a new child tax credit of up to $2500. *Offers 25% tax credit to any business that offers between 4-12 weeks of paid leave to workers with qualifying family or medical issues such as maternity leave.* Calls for 80% cut in 18.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax that pays for most federal transportation projects in order to devolve the system to the states. Tax plan would decrease government revenues by $6 trillion in 10 years.


Read more about tax plans here.

Immigration

Jeb Bush: Opposes mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Calls for practical plan: allow people to earn legal status where they pay a fine, work, don't commit crimes, learn English. To address border security, he would use advanced counter-surveillance technology and improve border infrastructure with road construction and maintenance. Also recommends requirement of e-verify system, track and deport immigrants overstaying visas, and withholding federal funding for sanctuary cities.

Ben Carson: Allow a six-month window for undocumented workers to apply for guest worker permits, pending they work and have a clean record. Supports building a border fence, fining companies that hire illegals, prosecute those who cross illegally, and making English the official language.

John Kasich: Finish the border and have a guest worker program. For illegals already here with a clean record, fine them, and put on path to legalization (not path to citizenship).

Marco Rubio: Hire 20,000 new border agents, finish fencing and walls, enforce mandatory e-verify, implement entry-exit tracking system to prevent visa overstays, and once all that is complete, then fine those who are not criminal. Would not deport the illegals here, but would fine and have them go through process.

Read more on immigration here. 

ISIS and Syrian Refugees

Jeb Bush: Tighten efforts to deal with entry visa program to track those who have been where there is Islamic terrorism. Destroy ISIS in the caliphate -- need a no-fly zone, safe zones for refugees, and build a military force. Embed our forces inside Iraqi military. Arm the Kurds.

Ben Carson: Necessary for U.S. to declare war on ISIS. Establish a military coalition with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Recruit and train Sunni men from those in coalition. Evaluate visa and immigration policies. Destroy caliphate. Take oil as their source of revenue. Shut down funding and attack their command-and-control centers.

John Kasich: Assemble coalition with Arab leaders and friends in Europe. Once we win against ISIS, we should leave and turn it over to regional powers. Need a better vetting process before admitting more Syrian refugees.

Marco Rubio: Embed American special operators alongside Sunni Arabs to help with training, special missions, and improve air strikes. Reverse cuts to military. Film and broadcast capturing ISIS leaders. Restrict Syrian refugees from entering U.S. Need a reliable process to vet refugees. 


Read more about views on ISIS and Syrian refugees here. 


Ok, now let's talk about "winnability."

After much research, I truly believe Governor Kasich and Senator Rubio have the greatest chance of winning in November versus Hillary or Bernie. They are willing to work with both parties, and that's a sign of a great leader.

Check out this article stating Democrats "hoping" for a Trump/Carson ticket.

Of the 176 superdelegates who answered the question, 65 said Rubio, the first-term senator from Florida, would be the Democrats' strongest opponent. [Kasich got second with 45 votes.]

I wouldn't be opposed to a Rubio/Kasich ticket in November. Now... who to vote for tomorrow??

The Case Against Cruz

Ted Cruz has been a top two contender in recent polls, basing his campaign strongly on his faith and conservative views. It's obvious to any human half paying attention that Cruz is after the evangelical vote. And with the endorsement of the likes of Dr. James Dobson and Rush Limbaugh, he's likely to get it.

With any candidate who speaks about Christianity and their beliefs, I start to question if they are genuine. If Cruz is a Christian candidate, the tree should bear some fruit, right? So... I did my research and found some pretty strong evidence that Cruz may not be so genuine.

If you plan to vote for Cruz on Saturday, here's a few reasons why you should rethink your choice.

1. False advertising.

Dr. James Dobson's endorsement ad claimed that Heidi Cruz would be the first pro-life First Lady. I find that a stretch. What do they consider pro-life? Many of the candidates and the former First Lady Laura Bush are pro-life, but allow exceptions in the cases where the life of the mother is at stake, as well as incest and rape.

Another ad was pulled by SC TV stations for false accusations about Rubio.

2. Blatant lying.

Cruz's campaign CALLED caucus-goers and LIED saying that Ben Carson had suspended his campaign, asking for their votes instead. This is infuriating! He could have made it right by apologizing publicly at the very least. He apologized to Dr. Carson, but that wasn't enough.

And this says something of his character and talent as a showman. He can lie and with a good poker face.

3. Double standard.

When Cruz goes after others for changing their stances or even working with both Republicans and Democrats to find a solution to an issue, he should take a look at his own history of change. For example, immigration. He struggled to explain his stance on Fox News in December.

4. Non-fruitful Christian.

With such a faith-based campaign, I would expect Cruz to have the evidence to back it up. According to his tax returns, he and his wife only gave only 1 percent to charity -- and nothing to church. They make more than $5 million a year.

I cannot stand a liar. I cannot stand a politician saying things just to get the vote. And I really cannot stand a politician who uses Jesus to get the vote, and not being truly genuine about their relationship with God. 

As I said in The Case Against Trump, it's up to you to be an informed voter and see where the candidates stand on the issues. Take all that I've given you and look at where Cruz stands. 

AND think about "winnability" in the general election! Cruz won't get any Democrats, and he won't get Independents who are looking for someone willing to work with the other side (like Rubio has in the Senate, for example).

The Case Against Trump

Whether or not you pay attention or care about what's going on in the political arena right now, it's hard to miss the Donald's hair-raising poll leads right now.

The argument for Trump? Well, he's been successful in business, he's not a politician, and he's not "P.C."

So let's take a look at these arguments and break them down for what they really mean for you as a voter.

1. "He's a successful businessman."

It's true that Trump is a multi-billionaire real estate mogul known for his reality TV show, his hair, and his money.

What you may not know about Trump:

• He had failed businesses, including Trump Vodka, Trump the Game, Trump Airlines, the Taj Mahal Casino, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Magazine, Trump Steaks, Trump Steakhouse, Trump Mortgage, The U.S. Football League, GoTrump.com, and Trump University. 
• He declared bankruptcy for four of his enterprises. His dad bailed him out once...
• His "Trump University" business is being sued for fraud. 
• He started out with family money. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates both started with less, and both have more than Trump. They've created more jobs, and they've had successful companies with fewer failures.
  

2. "He's not a politician."

He hasn't run for office before, no. But does he have the policy experience and global political know-how to work diplomacy in America's favor?

What you may not know about Trump:

• He's changed his stances in recent years, not that there's anything wrong with changing one's mind, but no one seems to really question it. Mitt Romney was pro-choice in 1994 when he ran for Senate, yet when he ran for President, conservatives demanded to know why he changed his views. Why have we not see this of Trump? So why did he change? According to several interviews, he says whatever suits him in the moment. So is he really pro-life?
• He's CHANGED HIS STANCES WITHIN MINUTES/HOURS. This is eye-opening!
• Putin + Trump Bromance.
• Great Britain wanted to ban him from their COUNTRY for his hate speech.
  

3. "He's not politically correct."

Honesty is what we need, but there's a difference in honest facts and degrading opinions. 

What you may not know about Trump:

• He told a breastfeeding mom that she was disgusting for trying to pump for her baby..
• He has said so many awful things about the Latino community, I just can't list them all. So you can read them for yourself. Including this jabbing tweet about Jeb Bush's wife.
• He would send refugees home -- back to their awful, life-threatening circumstances. 
• He is absolutely, without a doubt, disrespectful of women. Even the tweet (#10) about Hillary was disgusting.
  

And what about Trump's character?

• If the institution of family is important to you...
• He has had three failed marriages. The first ended after a very disturbing and sexually violent episode with then-wife Ivanna. Trump is disgusting.
• If the 1% bothers you...
• Take a look at how Trump really lives. His life of luxury, and how he treats people... including his first wife.
  

Trump on the Issues

Last, but definitely not least... read where Trump stands on the issues. If everything I laid out for you in this case doesn't swing you one way or another, then at least be informed enough to know where he truly stands.

The Case of the Primary

Many ask me my thoughts on politics. I guess because I have that lovely degree that states I'm a "political scientist" -- whatever that means to you.

I don't know it all (wish I did... nah, life would be boring), but I do a lot of reading, listening, and follow people who do more research than I ever could. 

I like facts. 
I don't like hearsay.

As we draw closer to the SC Presidential Primary, it is my goal to present the case AGAINST who I will not vote for... based purely on evidence.

The Lineup
Case 1: Donald Trump 

Case 2: Ted Cruz 

Case 3: Hillary Clinton 

Case 4: Bernie Sanders

If I find the time, I'll throw in the few I find interesting enough to cast my vote for on Tuesday. More to come...