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Twenty Questions Every Citizen Should Answer Before Voting
Townhall.com ^ | February 23, 2015 | Terry Paulson

Posted on 02/23/2015 9:40:16 AM PST by Kaslin

There is an African proverb that states: “To ask well is to know much.” Good questions are powerful. In fact, nothing’s going to change in America until citizens grapple with some important questions. Questions jump-start thoughts, and thoughts jump-start actions. Columnists have an obligation to ask the right questions on behalf of their readers. One of the advantages of age is that it finally dawns on you that questions are often more important than answers. Here are twenty questions worth considering:

In light of the fact that capitalism and free enterprise are often attacked for being mean, unfair, and even “unchristian,” can you name one non-capitalistic country where the poor have a higher standard of living and greater opportunity than America? Why do the poor of the world keep trying to get into our country?

To promote economic growth should government raise taxes to stimulate the economy through targeted programs and transfers of wealth or should government lower taxes allowing citizens who earned the money to stimulate the companies that best serve them and provide the products they want?

Is it better to measure government compassion and welfare program effectiveness by how many citizens do not need government support or by how many are served and dependent on those programs?

Do you think that discipline, limits and saying “no” are as important in good government as they are in good parenting? Is there a point where children and citizens should face natural consequences for not being responsible?

With more and more Americans dependent on government support, do you believe that John F. Kennedy’s admonition – “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – is now an outdated expectation for today’s citizens?

If competition and school choice work for colleges and pre-schools, why shouldn’t parents have vouchers that lets them choose the best school for their children? Do you think competition would force schools to fire bad teachers and pay a premium for the best teachers if it meant their survival?

With the federal debt doubling since President Obama took office, is it time to end automatic budget increases? Should every program and department be required to justify its budget every year?

If every dollar extracted from federal taxpayers loses 70 cents in transfer costs - salaries, rent and other expenses - before it reaches a beneficiary, does it make sense to let citizens give more to local charities that put 90-cents-on-the-dollar into making a difference?

Is Constitutional division of powers between the branches of government important to maintain? Should a president of either party use executive orders to make far-ranging immigration policy that changes laws without Congressional legislative approval? Would you feel the same way if your party was not in control?

Without supporting a major deployment, is the threat of an Islamic caliphate controlled by Islamic extremists worthy of providing special forces support to help Egypt and Jordan do whatever it takes to destroy ISIS and similar groups terrorizing Africa and the Middle East?

Should America have special laws and programs for different groups based on race, gender or faith or should America have the same laws and rights for all Americans?

In a presidential election, should you vote for the best presidential candidate based on what they promise to do in Washington or for a party’s candidate because of the principles and the people they will bring with them to drive the values you support throughout their administration?

Would you rather have a president who has confidence in what they can do in Washington or a president who believes in what “we the people” can do when given the freedom and the incentives to pursue our own American Dream?

Albert Einstein reminds us, “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” As we look to the 2016 presidential election, what questions do you feel are important for citizens to consider?


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 02/23/2015 9:40:16 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

You lost 53% of them when the first question wasn’t, Which DemocRat are you voting for?


2 posted on 02/23/2015 9:48:45 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (True followers of Christ emulate Christ. True followers of Mohammed emulate Mohammed.)
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To: Kaslin

The only question that most voters ask is “What’s in it for me?” All other questions are subservient to it.

So for the gibsmethat, it will always who delivers more to us, for those that earn a lot, it will be who taxes us less, and for the middle-class it will be who will screw us less.


3 posted on 02/23/2015 9:51:46 AM PST by kosciusko51 (Enough of "Who is John Galt?" Who is Patrick Henry?)
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To: Kaslin

Question number one should be: “Think about this: do you REALLY want this guy as commander in chief of the troops?”


4 posted on 02/23/2015 9:52:38 AM PST by lowbridge
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To: kosciusko51

That’s just it, for the gibsmedat, he’s ok if his situation doesn’t improve as long as he sees the others that he perceives as better off than him, suffering as well.

That’s what make liberalism the poison that it is.


5 posted on 02/23/2015 9:53:38 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: lowbridge

That question should have been asked when tha arrogant, lying pos occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ran for president, but than again he would have lied anyway. So what’s the use?


6 posted on 02/23/2015 9:57:18 AM PST by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: dfwgator
Ah, yes. The "crabs in the bucket" mentality.
7 posted on 02/23/2015 9:57:39 AM PST by kosciusko51 (Enough of "Who is John Galt?" Who is Patrick Henry?)
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To: Kaslin

The only question that really maters this time around is:

Do you believe in the rule of law?

Anyone who advocates accomodating Fraudulently Documented Foreigners and their employers should not be considered worth your vote.


8 posted on 02/23/2015 10:02:55 AM PST by Lurkinanloomin (Know Islam, No Peace- No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: kosciusko51

If we were still a Republic, and a Constitutional one at that, the question is moot:

“...nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

There would be no entitlements, no ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. Funds would not be stolen to be given to those ‘protected’ classes by gov’t.

Unfortunately, we haven’t be there for more than a Century already.


9 posted on 02/23/2015 11:12:35 AM PST by i_robot73 ("A man chooses. A slave obeys." - Andrew Ryan)
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To: i_robot73

Yep, and I’m not sure how we can get back to there. Well, there is one way...


10 posted on 02/23/2015 11:14:45 AM PST by kosciusko51 (Enough of "Who is John Galt?" Who is Patrick Henry?)
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