A lot of assertions are being made by the U.S. 2016 presidential campaigns, some factual, some emotional. It is easy to find a candidate and decide to believe them as your trustworthy source of information, judging the truth value of statements made by the opposition in terms of their comparison to your preferred candidate. However, it is important to acknowledge that they will always, as is the nature of politics (and of any argument), present facts in a way which is most favorable to them, and sometimes state things which are not based in fact.
While factors like a candidate’s personality, value as a role model, and temperament are important, the result of your decision will be in facts and in policy. This election is the selection of a candidate to perform a task, to be hired for a job. Whoever you support, it is important to be sure that the way they would perform, and what policies they would implement and advocate for in office accurately reflect which policies and concrete actions you would want the President of the United States to take.
Whoever will win by your vote should be in line with the concrete actions and policies you expect them to enact in office.
Here are some important, fact-based resources assessing the candidates’ positions and the truth value of their statements during their campaigns (complete with links!)
Fact Checkers:
There are pages available for each candidate, as well as more general tabs for all claims surrounding the 2016 presidential election. These cite assertions made by candidates/campaigns/supporters of campaigns and check them for factual basis/accuracy.
Policy-wise, both major party candidates have policy tabs on their campaign websites, describing their proposed strategies for economic, environmental, social, and foreign policy.
From the Hillary Clinton campaign, the compiled list of her proposed policies/stances on issues can be found here.
From the Donald Trump campaign, his policy stances can be found here.
Two third party candidates, Jill Stein (of the Green party) and Gary Johnson (of the Libertarian party) have also generated some support. Jill Stein's stances can be found here. Gary Johnson's can be found here.
There is also a useful article describing these candidates from the Seattle Times, highlighting the major points of their proposed platforms.
However, I think it is important to note that neither Stein nor Johnson has polled even remotely close to either Clinton or Trump. The latest CNN poll, taken over July 22-24, show Trump at 48% and Clinton at 45 percent. The remaining 7 percent or so of support has largely been ceded to Johnson. It is important to consider that, in terms of your vote being the measure of who you choose to do the job, voting for either Jill Stein or Gary Johnson is extremely unlikely to result in either of the two actually becoming the President of the United States. Because of this, the end game of these votes is in essence a lack of decision between the two candidates most likely to win the presidency, and an abdication of that decision, allowing others to decide the winner without you.
The only reliable basis when making an important decision is a careful consideration of all of the facts. I hope that in providing these resources, it will help provide the information necessary for everyone to vote confidently, informed on the choice they are making in November.
