My partner and I pride ourselves on being impartial citizens. We engage our kids in discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of the two-party system, steering clear of disparaging either side. I explain how I sometimes align with Democrats and at other times with Republicans, emphasizing that we can appreciate multiple viewpoints. We are as Independent as they come.
However, this presidential election has shifted focus from political parties to the two candidates themselves. It’s happening in an era where the “information superhighway” is jammed with media bias, sensational headlines, and outlets that masquerade as news while pushing propaganda. Sifting through this heap of nonsense to find facts is a frustrating task, especially when people brandish that same nonsense as truth.
My kids are, of course, aware of all the commotion. They ask why we only have two choices, and I explain how third parties struggle to build the necessary legislative foundation for a viable presidential run in our system.
They ask how Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump emerged as our candidates and what drives people to support each. I clarify that many voters stick to party lines regardless of the candidates. I also explain how information sources shape perceptions of truth, and that people often only trust sources that reinforce their biases, no matter the facts. I emphasize the importance of being unbiased when searching for the truth.
I share how I strive to find reliable, neutral sources to research candidates. To avoid bias, I dismiss overtly sensationalist media outlets such as MSNBC, Fox News, and Breitbart, and approach slightly less biased sources with skepticism. Whenever possible, I look for original sources, find unedited videos, and put quotes in context before reacting. I always verify claims with sites like Politifact and Factcheck.org, which, while not entirely free of bias, aim to be neutral and fact-based.
Through this process, I can explain Hillary to my kids. I tell them about her background: eight years as First Lady, eight as a U.S. Senator, and four as Secretary of State. She’s a career politician, which isn’t my favorite thing, but her governmental experience makes her a credible candidate.
When they ask why some people dislike her, I discuss the role of partisanship and outdated views on women in politics. After researching claims of her dishonesty and corruption, I explain that most of the allegations fall apart under scrutiny.
I tell them about the Benghazi incident and how extensive investigations led by her opponents found no wrongdoing on her part, despite claims to the contrary. I clarify how her quote, “What difference does it make?” has been taken out of context, and how she explicitly stated, “I take responsibility for what happened in Benghazi.”
My kids wonder why there were so many investigations if nothing new was found, and I admit that’s a fair question.
I explain the email server issue, noting that while it raised questions about her judgment, there’s no evidence of a deliberate security breach. Given that the State Department’s server has been hacked, I’m not overly worried about her private server.
We delve into accusations that she traded political favors for money through the Clinton Foundation. I explain that while such conjectures are common in election years, they don’t equate to proof. The foundation has received an “A” rating from Charity Watch, and independent analyses show that 80-89% of its funds go toward charitable causes, far exceeding the 75% industry standard.
I describe Hillary as a typical politician—she sometimes bends the truth or omits details to avoid being cornered. I explain that in politics, you can’t assume guilt based on speculation. In our legal system, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Despite numerous accusations against her, none have held up under scrutiny, often only resonating with those already predisposed to dislike her.
I ask my kids what they think this means, leaving the question open. To me, it suggests that either Hillary is an incredibly cunning villain or she’s been the target of an extensive smear campaign.
While I don’t view Hillary as the evil figure some portray her to be, I’m not a fan of politicians in general. I suspect that many aren’t entirely who they claim to be, and Washington is rife with shady dealings. I understand the desire for change in the political landscape—but I simply can’t wrap my head around the choice of Donald Trump as an alternative.
Having seen enough of the business world, I trust businesspeople about as much as I trust politicians. Furthermore, government functions differently from business. Can a racecar driver become a pilot without any flight experience just because they know how to make a vehicle go fast? Absolutely not. Business and government require distinct skills and knowledge, and Trump has no governmental experience whatsoever.
He claims he’ll hire the best people—but I’m not impressed with his track record so far. His former campaign manager was fired, and his current one has questionable ties to Russia.
I can’t fathom how someone who has faced legal action for racial discrimination, called for a ban on Muslims, insulted a disabled reporter, and demeaned women can claim to represent America’s diversity.
I can’t explain his childish behavior after the DNC when he said he was tempted to hit a “very little guy.” My daughter’s response was, “What the heck?! Why do people like him?” I had no answer.
I can’t explain how a reality TV star who speaks like a fourth grader has gained such traction in politics. I can articulate the mechanics of demagoguery and fear-mongering, but I struggle to understand why so many Americans are embracing it.
I can explain why people label Hillary a liar, despite evidence suggesting she’s one of the more honest candidates this election. Yet, those same individuals overlook Trump’s numerous and severe fabrications. I can elucidate why he decries media bias, but I can’t understand why people aren’t shocked by his statements in context.
I can break down Hillary with facts and research, but Donald Trump? Sorry, kids, I’ve got nothing.
In summary, while I can provide a reasoned perspective on Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump remains a perplexing enigma that leaves me at a loss for words.