tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post823079236620885058..comments2024-03-04T17:59:07.208-06:00Comments on Liberty or Death: My Decision - 2016Bethany Carsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-46324949029224302022016-02-07T16:09:19.628-06:002016-02-07T16:09:19.628-06:00Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Chuck! Yes,...Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Chuck! Yes, I voted for Rand Paul.<br /><br />I did like Ron Paul more, but Rand is, I believe, the best the Republican field had this year. Thanks for sharing your evaluation on the candidates. <br /><br /> Foreign policy that could lead to war is what worries me on a lot of candidates. Trump seems one of the least war-mongering from his rhetoric (he says he actually wants to work with Russia instead of creating a no-fly zone and being prepared to shoot down Russian planes like Christie and a few others), but I do have a cousin who, based on Trump's disposition, thinks electing him president would mean the end of the world. Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-23904501222643648342016-02-07T15:58:48.126-06:002016-02-07T15:58:48.126-06:00Thank you Gracie! Glad you were happy with the re...Thank you Gracie! Glad you were happy with the results. :)Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-44384099481371935482016-02-04T20:55:50.014-06:002016-02-04T20:55:50.014-06:00Thank you again for your political posts, Bethany....Thank you again for your political posts, Bethany. I have been recommending them to my family and plan to revisit them in the months ahead as election preparation progresses. I was relieved by the choices of you Iowa voters!Gracie Saylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09499163425742659172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-51105282954149452232016-02-04T17:34:57.729-06:002016-02-04T17:34:57.729-06:00I enjoyed your coverage of the candidates and the ...I enjoyed your coverage of the candidates and the Iowa caucus process! It's awesome that you got to meet all the candidates. Did you end up voting for Rand Paul?<br /><br />I'm not a Republican (I'm Libertarian), but in the Republican field I think my ordering would be Paul > Rubio > Cruz > Kasich > others > Trump. Rand Paul is the most libertarian Senator, but he's a far cry from his father and he runs away from the "libertarian" label. Rubio is a great speaker, uses free market rhetoric, and seems more open to immigration than the others (which I consider good). Cruz has a lot of liberty tendencies, but is divisive rather than inclusive in his approach. Kasich seems to have a pretty good record... he was my dad's favorite Republican back when he chaired the House budget committee many years ago. Trump scares me. He's a populist panderer who seems vengeful on a hair trigger, so I worry a Trump presidency could lead to war or worse.Chuck Moultonhttp://www.chuckmoulton.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-60300427055766777492016-02-03T13:20:28.174-06:002016-02-03T13:20:28.174-06:00Hi John, Rubio's success was surprising. I do...Hi John, Rubio's success was surprising. I do really like how Rubio addresses the concerns of young people as well as old. Keeping SS for our elders, while phasing it out into a private plan for us sounds good to me. <br /><br />I thought Cruz was in trouble after Governor Branstad spoke against Cruz for being against the Renewable Fuel Standard, but I guess I was wrong. Having Representative King (who stands for farmers) and Bob Vander Plaats endorsing him probably helped a lot. <br /><br />It is pretty neat how close the Democratic caucus was! Watching the rest of the states vote will be exciting!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-57663431531321989992016-02-03T13:14:17.961-06:002016-02-03T13:14:17.961-06:00Neat that you'd vote for Cruz. Looks like Pau...Neat that you'd vote for Cruz. Looks like Paul just suspended his campaign, which is sort of sad, but understandable, as it definitely didn't look like he was going to win.Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-74138474060508890062016-02-03T13:13:06.076-06:002016-02-03T13:13:06.076-06:00Regardless of everything I've said about being...Regardless of everything I've said about being respectful of other people's positions, working on this post came *that close* to making me start hating politicians!<br /><br />So many are such fence-walkers. I'd look up, "Does so-and-so support something?" The answer, "I sort of support it, but in a way I'm also against it." Then on other positions they might be for something in 2008, and against it in 2012. It took a lot of work trying to find somewhat clear answers from some candidates on many issues. Thanks for stopping by!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-18806619856738468012016-02-03T13:06:24.192-06:002016-02-03T13:06:24.192-06:00Thanks Martha! It will be interesting to see how ...Thanks Martha! It will be interesting to see how it all turns out.Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-75137730149388121672016-02-03T13:05:23.877-06:002016-02-03T13:05:23.877-06:00Thanks Allison! Good to know I'm not the only...Thanks Allison! Good to know I'm not the only one voting for Rubio on that!<br /><br />Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-85379117251497820512016-02-03T13:03:59.340-06:002016-02-03T13:03:59.340-06:00Ahhh, writing this post I was really wishing there...Ahhh, writing this post I was really wishing there were less candidates! I'd finish researching one, and then there would be another to study, and another, and another! Having so many candidates does make it tough!<br /><br />Have a great week as well, Beate!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-42041624113045299622016-02-03T13:02:13.340-06:002016-02-03T13:02:13.340-06:00Donald Trump actually does have some very good vie...Donald Trump actually does have some very good views once you explore his positions. I couldn't vote for him, but he is a very likeable person, and after seeing him three times and watching boardroom scenes from <i>The Apprentice </i> I almost wish I could have voted for him...he's exciting! Of course, the I Side With quiz isn't totally accurate, but it's fun. Wish you could have been here too!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-23543561659077666042016-02-03T12:59:01.927-06:002016-02-03T12:59:01.927-06:00I think that's something most everyone in the ...I think that's something most everyone in the nation can agree on--the result "will certainly either be a disaster...or not so much." The only problem is that half the country will think it's a disaster no matter whom is elected; the result of the election will just determine which half of us will be miserable!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-80350579873995900562016-02-03T12:56:07.364-06:002016-02-03T12:56:07.364-06:00Thanks Kathleen! This post did take awhile!Thanks Kathleen! This post did take awhile!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-24710871758563221382016-02-03T12:55:21.482-06:002016-02-03T12:55:21.482-06:00Glad you were able to make up your mind, and congr...Glad you were able to make up your mind, and congrats on picking the state winner! We had both Cruz and Trump supporters (and Carson, Huckabee, and Paul supporters) in our family; it was fun! Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-66707767195975446752016-02-03T12:52:01.952-06:002016-02-03T12:52:01.952-06:00Well, that's probably how Bernie Sanders suppo...Well, that's probably how Bernie Sanders supporters here are feeling right now. I read one article that claims 6 coin tosses gave Clinton her supposed victory. I've also heard many of the Democratic caucuses were disorganized and unprepared for the number of voters that showed up.<br /><br />The Republican caucus system here seems better to me--they count and report every vote. And finally starting this year, caucus results have become binding when selecting delegates. <br /><br />I guess a primary would indeed be more efficient though.Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-59586589657934402782016-02-03T12:44:58.059-06:002016-02-03T12:44:58.059-06:00I hope so. It has been fun.I hope so. It has been fun.Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-21682278941592073192016-02-03T12:44:08.742-06:002016-02-03T12:44:08.742-06:00Hi Stephanie, I've added in the Pros and Cons ...Hi Stephanie, I've added in the Pros and Cons on Cruz. He is the candidate closest, after Paul, to the positions I advocate; and I think I could live with him as the nominee. His beliefs sound good, and he is a strong debater. Lots of conservative Christians here in Iowa support him, which makes me nervous though. I guess I've just never had a good feeling about him...others obviously very strongly do believe he's the one. <br />Blessings to you, and may God grant you wisdom in your decision! Take care!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-4850559753693009652016-02-03T12:33:42.472-06:002016-02-03T12:33:42.472-06:00That test is fun--enjoy! Do be sure to check the s...That test is fun--enjoy! Do be sure to check the sources though before making any decisions based on what they say. They do have a couple sources that don't check out at all. Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-59405908605765342422016-02-03T12:31:45.968-06:002016-02-03T12:31:45.968-06:00Thanks Paige! :)Thanks Paige! :)Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-8871693246524718122016-02-03T12:31:03.620-06:002016-02-03T12:31:03.620-06:00Ummm...well, I guess it's a free country; you&...Ummm...well, I guess it's a free country; you're entitled to your own opinion, but I'm sticking with my evaluation. Though to be honest, if we're going to vote based on appearance, I wish they'd lower the age from 35 to 18 or 21. I could make a couple nominations that would beat <i>all</i> current candidates in a heartbeat...<br /><br />Ouch, too bad you missed Cruz! I guess Rand Paul <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/politics/rand-paul-dropping-out-of-presidential-race/" rel="nofollow">suspending his campaign</a> now may make your decision a little easier though.Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-66941818297547923162016-02-03T10:02:47.944-06:002016-02-03T10:02:47.944-06:00I can't vote for two years, but if I could, I ...I can't vote for two years, but if I could, I would probably vote for Ted Cruz. It's funny though, I'm currently listening to a video about Rand Paul that a friend wanted people to watch. I don't know much about him, I guess since he's not talked about as much as some other candidates.Maggie Grooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12057601539840643872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-51272309895250808572016-02-03T01:59:53.663-06:002016-02-03T01:59:53.663-06:00You put a lot of work into this. Thanks for making...You put a lot of work into this. Thanks for making it easier to weigh the issues, and finding out where each one stands. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-67706104902473020382016-02-02T21:54:37.675-06:002016-02-02T21:54:37.675-06:00Hi Bethany, You started your series on the Candida...Hi Bethany, You started your series on the Candidates in early October. At that time I thought I had a pretty good idea of how things were going to turn out. Wow, I sure had a lot to learn! :-) I watched the caucus results last night on CNN until nearly complete. The biggest surprise to me is Rubio’s strong 3rd place finish. I had to go back and re-read your report on Rubio and found this from his speech: “Social Security and Medicare are going bankrupt. My mom is on Social Security, so I'm against what's bad for her. We need to fix Social Security, so that people who have paid into it all their lives will receive it. I'm 44 years old. For me Social Security may not exist, or it may work differently, perhaps as a private plan. But we should keep our promises to the older generation.” Well, you know me, looking out for the Senior Citizens! :-) So, Rubio is not out of the question! I was not surprised to see Cruz do so well in Iowa given the values shared by many in your great state. It will be interesting to see what the changes will be as things move forward. On the D side I’m expecting a tough race all the way to the Convention and earlier my thought was that Clinton would walk in easily. I sure admire the way you reached your own personal decision and I can’t believe the amount of work you put into this post! Awesome! I hope you will continue your reporting and updates as we move through the election cycle!John's Islandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03618219887687125402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-54172193716603320172016-02-02T20:28:43.166-06:002016-02-02T20:28:43.166-06:00Wow, what an incredible analysis! You have really ...Wow, what an incredible analysis! You have really done your homework and will be one of the few voters making a very informed decision. I'm sure all of us Canadians are curious as to who will be your next President.Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09262406079948479112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7376485905771945684.post-87611506151935137642016-02-02T19:01:47.965-06:002016-02-02T19:01:47.965-06:00I appreciate all the work you have put into this f...I appreciate all the work you have put into this for us, Bethany, as well as your passion for politics. And my vote is Rubio as the most handsome. :)Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16985399068615910374noreply@blogger.com