The Times They Are a-Changin'

Here we go... a major shake up just took place in our nation... pretty exciting stuff if you ask me. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016 the general election for President of the United States was held. The candidates were about as polar opposite as one could imagine on some issues, but in other ways were VERY MUCH alike. Their policies were different but in the eyes of many their obnoxious and argumentative personalities were identical. And so it goes....

On the Democratic side we have Hillary Clinton.

And on the Republican side we have Donald Trump.

  

I don't quite remember how many candidates threw their hats into the ring in the beginning of the race for the White House, however, this year it seems there were a TON!! On the democratic side there were five additional candidates vying for the nomination. They were Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, Lawrence Lessig, Jim Webb, and Lincoln Chafee. Of the group, Bernie gave Hillary a serious run for her money. He led a STRONG grass roots effort that came as a surprise to many in the beginning. As he gained momentum it appeared that he was gaining more and more followers but unfortunately for the democratic party Hillary ended up with the nomination. 

On the republican side there were 11 candidates in addition to Trump seeking the presidency. They were John Kasich, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Jim Gilmore, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum, Rand Paul, and Mike Huckabee. On this side Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, and Jeb Bush started off with the most traction. As the campaign went on though Trump began to surge ahead. He was a political outsider and American citizens were listening to what he was saying (as offensive and off the cuff as it may have been at times). When it came down to Trump being nominated the energy and momentum was frankly just beginning!!! 

Hillary Clinton had 41 platform issues.... 41!  Some of the issues she focused on were:

• Combating terrorism & keeping the homeland safe
• Climate change
• Immigration reform
• Voting rights
• Health care
• Gun violence prevention
• LGBT rights & equality
• Racial justice
• Fair tax system

 Donald Trump focused on 15 platform issues. They were:

•  Infrastructure
• Cybersecurity
• Veterans affairs reform
• Trade
• Tax reform
• Immigration reform 
• National Defense
• Health care
• Foreign policy & defeating ISIS
• Energy
• Educaton 
• Constitution & Second Amendment protection
• Child care 
• Economy 
• Regulations 

In the end it was the "ordinary" folks who came out in record numbers to support Trump. Americans all over this nation are FED UP with what is taking place in Washington D.C. We are tired of our elected officials doing what they want rather than what their constituents want them to do. It is absolutely appalling that bills/laws are being passed before there is a clear understanding of what the bill contains. There is a movement taking place. I love this nation. I cannot imagine living anywhere else on this planet. After ordinary people fought and died for freedom during the American Revolution, our Founding Fathers worked hard to establish the ground work that this great nation would be build upon. There are many who are working behind the scenes (and even in plain view) to destroy America. I will fight to my death to defend the freedoms I hold dear to my heart. I will fight to secure these freedoms so they remain in place for my posterity. WE THE PEOPLE are speaking and Capital Hill best be listening!!