Reply #4: Everything else being more or less equal, I choose based on experience.

[Straight Shooter]

My accountant, for instance, is a Republican (ack!). I chose him because he takes his job seriously, he's been a CPA for 20 years, and I can count on him to get the job done correctly. He has been able to help me construct my business and saved me a substantial amount of money, "substantial" being relative to my modest income.

When I had surgery a few years ago, the situation was so complex that the head of the department at OHSU (Portland) was called in. He had a good team, but he was in charge, and I felt assured that I was in good hands, so I never worried about the outcome.

I do rely on experience as a factor in hiring people for serious jobs.