In a little less than a year, on Nov. 8, 2016, we will be electing our next president. Many college students are graduating without jobs. Experienced people in the workforce are either unemployed or underemployed. Student debt and healthcare bills are financially crippling the average citizen, while the top one percent of Americans control 97 percent of the country’s wealth.

It’s no wonder the “outsider” candidates, the ones lacking traditional political careers, are starring in this year’s primaries. Political analysts are thoroughly perplexed over Donald Trump’s coup of the Republican party and Bernie Sanders gaining efforts against Hillary Clinton, but I think it’s obvious: We are just plain sick of the status quo. We are sick of politicians making speeches but not really saying anything, and we are sick of the war between our political parties that is responsible for turning Congress into an elementary school-esque rivalry that’s only missing a dodgeball and Patches O’Houlihan yelling, “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge… passing a bill!”

2016 could be the year we really shake things up, but it is still imperative to know who you’re voting for. Sure, Donald Trump’s brash, say-anything approach is entertaining, but does he have any idea on how to make any of those “Build a wall” declarations actually happen? Where’s that money going to come from? Or maybe you’re loving watching Bernie Sanders, the independent and self-proclaimed socialist, give Hillary a run for her money. However, no matter how much you love his policy, how much will he actually be able to accomplish in a Republican-majority Congress? And, in light of the things going on in the world, would he be the best person to lead us into war if we need him to? While no one can tell the future and there’s no sure bet, we should do our due diligence and actually know the facts about our favorite candidates before we cast our one and only vote come Nov. 8. So without further adieu, here is some info on the top two “outsider” candidates in each party: Donald Trump & Bernie Sanders.

DONALD TRUMP

Ah yes, first we have Donald Trump: businessman, reality-show darling, and 2016 presidential candidate. Everyone has no doubt heard his sound bites in the past few months, and not all of them are gems, even by his standards. However, he has managed to clench and keep the lead in the Republican primaries almost since he’s entered the race. I have to admit that in a world of politicians putting out PC statements that appeal to the most people and offend the least people regarding our issues, his candor is refreshing. But is he the candidate for you?

Issue: Abortion

Official Stance: Pro-life (former pro-choice)

Quote(s):

• "What I am saying is this: With caveats – life of the mother, incest, rape. That's where I stand. So, I'm pro-life, but with the caveats. You have to have it with the caveats." -- PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series, Jun 16, 2015

Interestingly, before Trump’s presidential bid, he was a pro-choice supporter. He has been previously quotes numerous times voicing his staunch support in the right to choose, in abortion and in general. Seeing as his pro-life change of heart seems to coincide with his bid to win the pro-life party’s presidential nomination, this is something to take with a grain of salt. However, something else to keep in mind is that a Republican-controlled Congress may very well send abortion bills to the president’s table, so for the pro-choice crowd, any Republican candidate could pose a real problem for women’s abortion rights.

Issue: Education

Official Stance: Anti-Common Core and for Cutting Back the federal Dept. of Edu

Quote(s):

• Department of Education: "You could cut that way, way, way down." -- South Carolina Tea Party Convention, Myrtle Beach, January 2015
• Common Core curriculum standards: "I am totally against Common Core." -- South Carolina Tea Party Convention, Myrtle Beach, January 2015.
  "That's a disaster. That's bad. It should be local and all of that." -- Iowa Freedom Summit, Des Moines, Iowa, January 2015

Common Core education is most simply put as the super-standardization of the education system. This and Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” law has expanded the federal Department of Education, basically tying the hands of the States in all things education. Trump’s official stance on education is that it’s a state issue (something that many echo, citing the federal government’s lack of Constitutional authority to dictate education).

Issue: Global Warming

Stance: Hoax

Quote(s):

• “Any and all weather events are used by the GLOBAL WARMING HOAXSTERS to justify higher taxes to save our planet! They don't believe it $$$$!” -- Twitter 26 Jan 2014
• The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”—Twitter 6 Nov 2012

The quotes are pretty much self-explanatory. Don’t expect any Trump initiatives to combat global warming, the reality of which has long been proven.

Issue: Foreign Policy

Stance: Tough Love Approach

Quote(s):

• “What does Donald Trump believe? Iran and Israel: Walk away from nuclear talks. Increase sanctions.” -- PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series , Jun 16, 2015
• “China is bilking us for hundreds of billions of dollars by manipulating and devaluing its currency. Despite all the happy talk in Washington, the Chinese leaders are not our friends. I've been criticized for calling them our enemy. But what else do you call the people who are destroying your children's and grandchildren's future?” -- Time to Get Tough, by Donald Trump, p. 2 , Dec 5, 2011

Donald Trump definitely believes in tough love, on domestic and foreign soil. He has advocated for using nukes against North Korea, made jokes about befriending a.k.a. taming Vladimir Putin (whose weapon supply efforts seem to make him a support erof Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad), and condemning the Obama-led nuclear deal with Iran. While this approach will definitely touch some Americans, does he have any knowledge on what the heck he’s even talking about? Many Republican primary hopefuls (Rubio especially) have criticized his lack of foreign policy knowledge, especially concerning Russian and the Middle East -- something he admits to. With ISIS on the prowl, his no mercy approach definitely has its upsides, but is this the guy we want in charge of our nukes?

Issue: Monetary Donations to Politicians

Stance: He can’t be bought

Quote(s):

• “When you give, they do whatever the hell you want them to do.” –Wall Street Journal 29 July 2015
• “I am a Life Member of the NRA and am proud of their service in protecting our right to keep and bear arms. The NRA’s efforts to stop dangerous, gun-banning legislation and regulation is invaluable. The media focus on those efforts overshadows the great work the NRA does on behalf of safety and conservation.” – Ammoland 7 July 2015
• “Obamacare’s going to be repealed and replaced. Obamacare is a disaster if you look at what’s going on with premiums where they’re up 40, 50, 55 percent.” – 60 Minutes 28 September 2015
• “There’s many different ways, by the way. Everybody’s got to be covered. This is an un-Republican thing for me to say because a lot of times they say, ‘No, no, the lower 25 percent that can’t afford private,’ but I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they’re taken care of now” – 60 Minutes 28 September 2015

Hallelujah, Donald Trump! Blasting this into the media is seriously awesome, because it’s the dirty little not-so-secret of Washington. Money reigns supreme, and our politicians all have a price. The costs of covering a campaign are astronomical, and that’s exactly where lobbyists and the billionaires (like the Koch brothers) are able to pull strings to benefit themselves. Although I can’t say for sure if Trump is really for the “regular” people, I commend him for going out there and saying what no one else wants to. It is time to take control away from the billionaires and put it back in the hands of the people that were elected to run the country.

Issue: Gun Control

Stance: Against Gun Control

Donald Trump is a gun permit-holding defender of the second Amendment. He’s not completely anti-gun control, though, as he does support the banning of some assault weapons. He strongly believes that the media gives guns a bad name and supports the work that the NRA does in Washington, which is where I kind have to scratch my head. He is very against politicians having price tags, but then he says he supports the NRA doing exactly that in Washington. When it comes to buying off politicians, is he telling us what we want to hear, or does he just oppose it when it doesn’t work out for him?

Issue: Healthcare

Stance: Blurry

It’s pretty clear that Donald Trump hates Obamacare. Again, the key with doing something like repealing a huge piece of legislation like the Affordable Care Act is the fact that the GOP has control of the Senate and the House. With Trump in office, this becomes a real possibility. However, his views are unique to a Republican candidate in that he believes every single person should have healthcare whether they can afford it or not… Almost like, dare we say it, universal healthcare.

Issue: Taxes

Stance: Max the Rich Pay, Incentivize Corporations, Tax the Middle-Class Less

Quote(s):

• “It’s a substantial reduction for the middle-income people. Because our middle class, Scott, is being absolutely decimated. It will be a corporate also reduction, I think it’ll be a great incentive for corporations.” – 60 Minutes 28 September 2015
• “I don’t want to have certain people on Wall Street getting away with paying no tax.” – 60 Minutes 28 September 2015

The Donald’s tax plan isn’t very unique. We’ve all heard it before; let the middle class pay less and stop the rich from cutting corners on their taxes. One question, though; “How?” This is where a Republican-controlled Congress may thwart him. While Trump might not be bought, I’m sure the billionaires on Wall Street would be more than happy to buy a Senator or 50 to block anything like this happening. Good sentiments, though.

Issue: Immigration

Stance: Tighten Immigration Laws

Quote(s):

• “And the Mexican government is much smarter, much sharper, much more cunning. And they send the bad ones over because they don't want to pay for them. They don't want to take care of them. Why should they when the stupid leaders of the United States will do it for them? And that's what is happening whether you like it or not.” – Fox News 6 August 2015

Donald Trump is the average Republican on immigration issues, but he’s the only one with the gall to say “Build a wall!” I like his candor, and I believe he sincerely means every word he says on these issues. He also vehemently opposes birthright citizenship, which means that anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen. The problem with promising to build a wall or do away with birthright citizenship is that I just don’t think it can be done. Where will the money come from to build a wall? Will he have enough support to actually change the Constitution? I think this is just pandering to his crowd, and I’d like to hear feasible solutions to these problems. Most recently, he has also opposed the Syrian refugees entering the United States.

So while this is in no way a comprehensive list of everything Trump is about, I think it’s a good starting point to really learn about an option that is out there. I truly believe that everyone has the right to choose whatever candidate they feel will lead our country in the right direction, so in the regard, this information is provided without support or endorsement (and the pictures were just there to help you through such a long article!). The right to vote comes with great responsibility, so please, if you think someone is worthy of your vote, just take some time to do a little research first. Each vote should be an informed one!

NEXT WEEK: BERNIE SANDERS