Keeping us in ignorance is no accident. The primary 'horse race' is nothing more than a shiny
object, meant to draw our attention and interest away from the fact that the establishment wings of both parties support Wall Street bankers, the military industrial complex, and the neoliberal capitalist model.
The happy thing, the only thing that is saving us, I think, is social media. The people are always going to be at a disadvantage against these monied interests. And we must remember that they are smart, powerful and relentless. They put out their propaganda message 24/7 through all the corporate-owned mass media.
What do we have? Our minds, and our native curiosity. And, we have the internet, which places the knowledge of the world at our fingertips. And the only real 'freedom' we have? Our ability to think things through for ourselves.
I'm not sure where I got this advice, but it is very good advice: When someone says, 'well we need to do THIS,' follow the money. If you understand where the money to make THIS happen comes from and where it goes, then no matter what the propaganda organs SAY, you will understand who benefits and how it will affect you and your family.
An everyday example: in my state there is a huge pent-up demand for condominiums as growing numbers of Baby Boomers are downsizing from their suburban homes. Developers are going to the state legislature under the guise of 'removing onerous regulation.' What this actually means is that the developers want to remove liability regulations on the quality of their work. So, if they build a condo complex and it falls down around the ears of the residents because of shoddy construction practices, what they want is to NOT be held liable for this. But the media never TELLS you this; it never even mentions it. You must find out for yourself.
This, then - finding out for yourself and then thinking it through, is yours, mine and everyone's responsibility as citizens of a republic. We supposedly have a representative democracy where those we elect ostensibly look out for our interests, but the American people have become lazy and ignorant, partly - or mostly - because of this constant propaganda. So we sit around saying, 'well, the media should tell us this,' while at the same time forgetting who the media actually serves.
To find out what the candidates want, where they stand on issues, and what specific policies they want to implement is hard, true, but it is possible.
1. First, look at their websites. Look at where they say they stand on these issues.
2. Then look at their records in office. How have they voted? What have they done?
3. Compare their actions with their words. If the actions and words match, then you're in business.
4. If the actions and words don't match, toss out the words and look only at the actions.
5. Ask yourself if you agree with the actions; how did they benefit you? And if not you, whom did they ACTUALLY benefit?
6. Then look at where the candidates are getting their money. This will tell you what you need to know about each candidate.
A quick recommendation from me? www.berniesanders.com. Speaking personally, my own opinion, I agree with what Bernie says he wants to do. Bernie has a pretty successful 40 year record of trying to put those things in place. And, his money is coming only from small donations from supporters, NOT super PACS. That's why I have chosen to support Bernie.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Did you forget Sanders is supported by the major corporation Ben and Jerry's?
But that doesn't count.
with the ice cream lobby in charge. 
Thanks for the thread, PatrickforO. 
[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Thank you!
[font color="purple"]Go, Bernie! 
Ride the purple wave and join The Purple Revolution! 
Well done, PatrickforO. 
