I'm trying to decide whether I should in conscience vote for Trump this November.  Don't get me wrong.  I think that he's personally a reprobate.  But in terms of the positions he has publicly articulated, I don't have any problems with him.  In fact, I was disappointed when he backed off his comment that women who have abortions should be punished somehow.  Now, despite what he has publicly stated, I don't entirely trust him to be sincere.  Now, as everyone knows, I am most adamantly against the lesser of two evils voting philosophy (it's not Catholic).  But I see no positive evils in any of the positions he has publicly taken (while running for president).  On the other hand, Hillary is demon incarnate.  If, by not voting for Trump, Hillary gets elected, then appoints wicked justices to the Supreme Court, that would be a huge (yuge) disaster.  Regardless, if Trump were positively evil, I could not vote for him.  Now, I suspect that Trump is way too cozy with the Jєωs.  But he did invoke Jєωιѕн scorn for saying that the US should be even-handed in dealing with the Palestinian situation.

1) So, does anyone know of any positions Trump has taken that are positively problematic?  In that case, he's totally disqualified.

2) Is it your opinion that we we would be bound under these circuмstances to vote for Trump?

Trump exemplifies the true "unworthy candidate".  He does not have the character desired of a President.  But simply being unworthy doesn't disqualify him to receive our vote, and could one say that it's even obligatory to vote for him?
 

I think he is the best candidate we are ever going to get again in our lifetimes so I plan on voting for him. I don't like him but I expect every other candidate in the future as long as I live to be far worse (if we still have elections). Because I expect the future candidates to be worse, that is why I said in a previous post that I hope that he gets elected and once elected seizes power and becomes a dictator. I mean that seriously.

At this point, based on what Trump says, I don't see anything problematic.  He's far from perfect but he sounds good (but so did George Sr and George W).  This is not directed towards you, at all...but if people would ask this question IN THE PRIMARIES, then we might have a shot to vote in a guy that mattered come Nov.  But, with the uphill battle we fight against the marxist media and the controlled parties, most of the primary candidates are neo-cons anyways.  

I'm probably voting 3rd party just for principle's sake.  If my state really mattered, then I might vote Trump, if need be.  But Hillary's not winning my state, so my vote is moot.

The founders set things up in an odd way.  The popular vote does not decide the presidential election.  The electoral college does.  And many state laws allow them to vote however they want, i.e., they aren't bound to vote in line with the popular vote.  

Here's an interesting bit if info that covers this in a little more detail:  http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=967

In those states where electors are bound to the popular vote, the "penalty" for them violating state law is, in most cases, laughable.  A small fine or similar.

The bottom line:  your vote for president counts for little, if anything.  Your vote for governor/local races counts for a lot.

Quote from: ihsv

The founders set things up in an odd way.  The popular vote does not decide the presidential election.  The electoral college does.  And many state laws allow them to vote however they want, i.e., they aren't bound to vote in line with the popular vote.  

Here's an interesting bit if info that covers this in a little more detail:  http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=967

In those states where electors are bound to the popular vote, the "penalty" for them violating state law is, in most cases, laughable.  A small fine or similar.

The bottom line:  your vote for president counts for little, if anything.  Your vote for governor/local races counts for a lot.

This is what I've thought for years, especially in places this year where the new governor could have a dramatic effect. Probably 2/3rds of the country is solidly going one way or another, so your national vote is irrelevant.

"Probably 2/3rds of the country is solidly going one way or another..."  I basically agree with this part of your statement.  But I can envision Trump supporters being more susceptible to both over-confidence at one end and demoralization at the other end than Hillary supporters.  So I think you're full of $#!+ in saying "your national vote is irrelevant."  Turning out the vote is always relevant.

I have softened up on you some.  But there always seems to be a subtle motive behind your posts.  Just sayin'...

When Pope Francis was approached by a reporter who asked him about Trump and his wall, Pope Francis said that nobody could be that bad. He criticized the reporter and he criticized Trump's position on the wall he was talking about building.

Bergolio disapproves of Trump. That right there is yet another very good reason to vote for Trump.

When Pope Francis was approached by a reporter who asked him about Trump and his wall, Pope Francis said that nobody could be that bad. He criticized the reporter and he criticized Trump's position on the wall he was talking about building. I could see an out for Trump because I think that there are invisible walls that we have built in this country that are really damaging.
However when Trump said that people of Mexican descent have no business because of who their parents might have been to advance in this country then I have to day that I don't think I could vote for him.      

Big surprise there!

Would you happen to have the actual words Trump used in what you referred to?

Pope Francis said that nobody could be that bad. He criticized the reporter and he criticized Trump's position on the wall he was talking about building.

So when is Francis going to tear down the walls around the Vatican? And where has the Church taught that all walls are evil?

Quote from: poche

When Pope Francis was approached by a reporter who asked him about Trump and his wall, Pope Francis said that nobody could be that bad. He criticized the reporter and he criticized Trump's position on the wall he was talking about building. I could see an out for Trump because I think that there are invisible walls that we have built in this country that are really damaging.
However when Trump said that people of Mexican descent have no business because of who their parents might have been to advance in this country then I have to day that I don't think I could vote for him.      

Big surprise there!

Would you happen to have the actual words Trump used in what you referred to?

Quote

Pope Francis said that nobody could be that bad. He criticized the reporter and he criticized Trump's position on the wall he was talking about building.

So when is Francis going to tear down the walls around the Vatican? And where has the Church taught that all walls are evil?

I think that His Holiness was talking about the invisible walls that divide us and provoke sins against love of neighbor.