Top 10 election points

The campaigns for the 2016 presidential election have drawn enormous amounts of attention compared to the previous years. CNN said, “ Fox peaked at one point with 26.8 million viewers.” Every day brings a new twist to the unfolding story of the presidency. There have been scandals and insults within the first few months. Even Donald Trump has joined the campaign trail. So who is going to win the nomination? We can’t say for sure, but he or she have to tackle each one of these issues along the way.

Point 10: Social programs

In these difficult economic times, confusion and fear are shrouding our future. Millions of citizens require government aid in order to survive day-to-day life. The Department of Agriculture said that the current amount of people on food stamps is roughly 46 million, which cost $76.1 billion.

Point 9: Poverty and Unemployment

The war on poverty has been an ongoing battle for decades that has produced little fruit. Presidential candidate Ben Carson stated during his interview with Fox News on Aug, 12, “Since the ‘60s, we’ve spent over $19 trillion on the war on poverty. What do we have? Ten times more people on food stamps, more welfare, more incarceration and crime, broken families, out of wedlock birth.”

Point 8: Education

We’re getting dumber. Period. This article from June 23, 2013 of The Huffington Post says, “The Program for International Student Assessment measurement found the United States ranked 31st in math literacy among 15-year-old students and below the international average. The same 2009 tests found the United States ranked 23rd in science among the same students, but posting an average score.”

Point 7: Immigration

Ever since presidential candidate Trump gave details on his immigration policy, the media has been talking about “the great wall of Trump” and his “anchor baby” comments. This can be easily seen since the topic has taken off like wildfire in the last few weeks. Trump plans to build an impenetrable wall along the entire southern border and kick out any illegal immigrants that are in the United States. Most candidates have since gone to the border or at least addressed “The Donald’s” ideas.

Point 6: Abortion and Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is on the run. Ever since the July introduction of several controversial videos showing behind the scenes footage of the group’s baby-harvesting activities, the largest abortion provider has lost state funding from Alabama, New Hampshire, and Louisiana. In light of these revelations, many people have generated disgust toward the major abortion provider.

Point 5: Gay Rights and the Supreme Court

You can’t even bring this topic up in a public setting unless you’re ready for a fight. The religious community feels betrayed by the Supreme Court and the LGBT community wants to continue the momentum gained from its recent victory on June 26 for marriage recognition in all 50 states. A large number of people feel the justices have overstepped their bounds by redefining an institution that people of faith say is created by God. Neither side is budging in this ongoing struggle. The people will be expecting the candidates to take a side.

Point 4: Iran Deal

President Obama wants to have nuclear negotiations with an enemy who chants “death to America and death to Israel.” Iran’s leaders support the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. The Washington Post wrote in late August, “A group of nearly 200 retired generals and admirals sent a letter to Congress on Wednesday urging lawmakers to reject the Iran nuclear agreement, which they say threatens national security.” If 200 generals and admirals are saying we shouldn’t do this, then President Obama, who has never served a day of his life in the military and has no combat experience, may want to rethink his stance. Anyone who wants to be the President’s successor needs to consider these officials advice.

Point 3: Radical Islam

ISIS is massacring entire villages, but only after it rapes, kidnaps, and pillages. Sadly, that isn’t even an over exaggeration. This quote is a testimony out of northern Iraq. “The Yazidi elders say that 5,270 females were taken a year ago, roughly 2,126 have escaped, but the terrorists have managed to keep approximately 3,144 girls,” according to an article in Examiner 2015. “Of those girls, they’re subjected to theological arguments that pervert a narrow reading of the Koran and allows radical Islamic fighters to not only rape girls, but interpret the gross act to be something to virtuous that needs to be celebrated.” The Examiner wrote, “Every time that he came to rape me, he would pray,” said one 15-year-old girl captured on Mount Sinjar, Iraq told reporter Kimberly Dvorak.

Point 2: Economy

We’re roughly $20 trillion in debt and China, who we’re borrowing from, is looking equally broke since they dropped 5,000 points in the DOW, a common stock market index. We need to get it together. Our leaders squabble over party politics while the nation’s economy is plummeting. Presidential candidates should recognize this as a top priority on their to-do list if elected.

Point 1: Morality

Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has been keeping more than 3,000 emails containing top-secret information on her private emails and lied about it multiple times. So far, she still hasn’t been punished. People tired of politicians who think the laws don’t apply to them. The result of her lies are plummeting poll numbers. The people do not trust and are upset with the members from each branch of the government. If you don’t believe this, then look at the success of Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson. Neither is a career politician, and yet they’re two of the biggest names among the presidential candidates. They speak ideas and feelings that resonate with the people, since the people do not have a platform to do so. Each candidate needs to remember that the people are furious, and they will be channeling that anger at the voting booths.