Let The Matchup Begin. Round 1 Is Coming. - Who do you think will win the round?

ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be no blog post on September 2nd due to the Labor Day holiday. I wish everyone a safe and happy upcoming Labor Day Weekend.

INTRODUCTION:

Greetings to all. As the summer heat rises, so does the political heat. The political arena is buzzing with anticipation. Some anticipated that Joe Biden would be dropping out, others did not. As it turns out, he did. Most understand why and how that occurred. As vice president, Kamala Harris had some of the lowest favorable ratings as a vice president in our nation's history. Now, she is being hailed by some as a rising star. She was ushered into the top slot, and her ratings started to climb. Is this the honeymoon stage, as some call it? Or is it the result of millions of dollars in advertising that poured in from donors and the DNC? Can money really buy you anything, even the presidency? If we want to be honest, in any situation that involves two individuals, if we listen to each one individually, each will sound great and correct. However, is that reality? Fact-checkers will always find something someone says to have been exaggerated or false.

There are always questions to be asked and answered, but this is modern-day politics, which can be very deceiving. Perception is a powerful tool. If you see it, you believe it. If you are told it, you believe it. However, is what you see or hear the truth? IS what you are told the truth? We cannot always take what we see and hear as factual.

Conversely, debates provide us with a realistic look at the candidates. There are no scripts or teleprompters, no expertly prepared speeches. The individuals know what they are talking about, or they do not. There are no network news hypes, selected audio clips, or video snippets. What you see is what you get—at least until after the debate is over.

In this writer's opinion, when I see Trump in an interview without a teleprompter and then see him at a rally or making a speech using a teleprompter, I see the same man—the same diction, message, and vocal inflections. Trump is known for not following the teleprompter and speaking off the cuff. However, when I see Kamala Harris in the same situation, it is easy to tell when she reads a well-prepared speech off a teleprompter versus speaking off the cuff without a teleprompter. She is not a good public speaker in that setting. As a public speaker, what is paramount is getting my message across to the people I am speaking to. She does not excel in getting her message across. That said, here it comes. The first presidential debate between Trump and Harris will soon be upon us. ROUND 1. Will there be more?

DEBATES:

Debates, in many forms, have been a fundamental part of human communication since ancient times. They serve as a platform for discussing ideas, exchanging opinions, and reaching conclusions on complex issues. In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, the importance of debates cannot be overstated. They play a crucial role in shaping public opinion, fostering critical thinking, and promoting democracy.

When run properly, debates provide a structured space for individuals to articulate their thoughts, present evidence, and defend their positions. There are other forms of debates, such as when Congress or the Senate debates a bill to be passed. Debates require participants to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and think logically and quickly to have a rebuttal argument. Individuals develop essential skills such as reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving through this process. Debates challenge participants and viewers to consider multiple perspectives, confront opposing viewpoints, and form well-founded opinions, cultivating a culture of critical thinking essential for informed decision-making in various aspects of life—especially political elections.

Debates are a cornerstone of democracy, enabling citizens to actively participate in public discourse, express their views, and hold leaders accountable. By engaging in debates, individuals can voice their concerns, advocate for change, and contribute to the democratic process. Debates allow for the exchange of diverse ideas and opinions, leading to a more inclusive and democratic society. Through civil discourse and respectful dialogue, debates facilitate understanding, consensus-building, and collaboration among individuals with differing viewpoints, promoting a civic engagement culture and encouraging active citizenship.

Presidential debates are slightly different. They are a one-on-one discussion between two opponents trying to earn your vote. However, over time, debates have become a boxing match where insults are thrown at one another, and the issues get buried in the arguments.

When candidates participate in a debate, the people get to see who can hold their own and who cannot. It tests their endurance, patience, skill, and knowledge. Debates provide individuals a platform to articulate their ideas clearly, express themselves persuasively, and engage effectively with others. By mastering the art of communication through debates, individuals can become more confident, articulate, and persuasive communicators. These skills are invaluable in personal and professional settings, empowering individuals to convey their thoughts, influence others, and achieve their goals. We get to evaluate who we want fighting for us and representing our country on the world stage. We do this through voting.

Participants in debates are required or should have, to conduct thorough research, analyze data, and formulate well-reasoned arguments. This process fosters intellectual curiosity, encourages continuous learning, and broadens one's understanding of diverse subjects. Debates serve as a forum for intelligent and informative exchange, where individuals can learn from others, explore new perspectives, and deepen their understanding of various issues. This intellectual growth benefits the participants and enriches the broader community by promoting a culture of learning and knowledge-sharing. Every candidate will exaggerate some facts to some degree. Rest assured, there are scores of fact checkers on both sides of the aisle ready to correct them.

DO THEY WORK?:

Advocates of debates argue that they serve several essential functions. Firstly, debates provide a platform for individuals to engage in reasoned argumentation and critically analyze complex issues. By presenting contrasting viewpoints, debates challenge participants and audiences to consider multiple perspectives and weigh the merits of different arguments and the candidates themselves. Additionally, debates can help clarify misconceptions, promote a better understanding of complex topics, and encourage participants to refine their arguments through rigorous examination and critique.

Furthermore, debates can serve as a forum for testing the strength of ideas and refining one's communication skills. Participants are required to think quickly on their feet, respond to counterarguments, and defend their positions with evidence and logic. Debates help educate the public on the candidates running against one another and help them evaluate them better in a non-scripted setting.

Despite their perceived benefits, debates have also faced criticism from various quarters. Some argue that debates often prioritize style over substance, with participants focusing more on rhetorical flourishes and persuasive techniques than their arguments' quality. This can lead to a superficial engagement with complex issues and a tendency to prioritize winning over seeking truth or consensus. This is the primary reason it is essential to view these debates and judge for yourself the benefits of one candidate over another.

Moreover, critics contend that debates can sometimes devolve into unproductive exchanges characterized by mudslinging attacks, useless arguments, and a lack of substantive engagement with the underlying issues. In such instances, debates may exacerbate polarization, enhance pre-existing biases, and undermine the audience's efforts to choose between two candidates. Who is hosting the debate and how they structure it is critical.

In my opinion, as much as I don't always agree with CNN reporting, they did a great job hosting the debate between Trump and Biden. It was run fairly and equally, as it should have been. Presidential debates are different from debates on issues in other forums. As I stated earlier, debates on a bill trying to be passed through Congress or the Senate are debates to try and come to a compromise or find a solution on an issue to get it passed when two sides do not agree. In a presidential debate, the purpose is for the American people to hear both candidates speak. Evaluate how they perform and make their points on the issues. In this forum, the candisdates are not trying to come to a compromise, they are trying to present their views and win your vote. Don't forget that.

PROMISES MADE:

This is the easiest section to write. EVERY CANDIDATE MAKES CAMPAIGN PROMISES. We must all remember that some of these promises can be kept through Presidential Executive Orders. These are orders that, based on our constitution, the president can write to achieve a goal. However, most promises have to take the standard route of being passed by Congress and the Senate, depending on the issue. Congress controls the purse and the spending, which is why a president wants a congress where the majority is the same political affiliation. Preferably, they would like both branches of government to be the same political party as they are. If not, it makes the job of spending more complex, and more deals have to be made. Therefore, NOT ALL PROMISES CAN BE KEPT, so don't be fooled by campaign promises.

If you break it down, all candidates will promise to lower taxes, lower the cost of living, put more money in your pocket, etc. You need to evaluate the method by which they are planning to do it. That will tell you who is going to succeed and who is going to fail. In this writer's opinion, I am not a fan of how Kamala Harris has flipped on so many positions that are different than what she has supported for the past three and a half years, including being the tie-breaking vote on a spending package that added well over a trillion dollars to our national debt. That said, to some degree, all politicians contribute to the debt depending on the circumstances. It's the wasteful spending I am referring to.

IN CLOSING/OPINION:

I take pride in writing fact-based and unbiased blog posts. However, I always maintain that I have the right to my opinion, just as all of you do. My opinion is included in my closing statement. All political debates between candidates is critical and I believe are necessary. We live in a world of biased news media networks. This is the one forum where news media or other platforms cannot skew what we see and hear during the debate. They can only twist it around after the debate is over.

Joe Biden's performance was terrible in the only debate between Trump and Biden, regardless of the reasons. After that performance, it was clear that Joe Biden would probably not win the election. Once the donors started pulling out, Biden was forced out by his own party. They had no other choice if they wanted a chance to win the election. However, remember, Kamala Harris comes from the same Biden administration and political party - the party that has set the policies since Biden's election.

The administration that the citizens of our great nation have been questioning. The border crisis, the economy, energy costs, foreign policies, and more. What we have endured since the Biden administration are the policies of the Democratic party. Not all of their policies are bad, but the ones I just mentioned are and factually have not been successful. People are having a difficult time, at best, surviving week to week. These policies will also be Kamela Harris's policies regardless of what she says because they are the policies of the Democratic party. Kamala Harries is now trying to copy Trump's ideas and promises, such as stating that there should be no tax on tips. Where was she the past 3 1/2 years on these issues? The Biden/Harris administration has been a complete failure on these issues that Kamala Harris has supported for the past 3 1/2 years. Why would anyone think that will change if she is elected since her party affiliation hasn't changed.?

These policies have failed our country and the American people. As a nation, we are in great danger from our enemies. This administration has allowed millions upon millions of people to enter our country and is providing them benefits at the cost of our taxpayers. Many of our citizens have been hurt, killed, robbed, raped, murdered, and more by many of these individuals that the present administration has allowed into our country. I do not believe that will change, and most Americans do not think that will change. This administration has cast its citizens aside to accommodate them.

WE SHOULD NEVER VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE BASED ON RACE, COLOR,

GENDER OR CREED.

We need to vote for the candidate who will execute the people's will and do what is best for its citizens and the nation. Has that occurred in the past 3 1/2 years? I don't think so.

I don't see where Trump running against Biden or Harris is any different. Why? Because the policies of the Democratic party have not changed and probably will not change. The only thing that has changed is who the headliner is. So tell me, where is the difference? What makes Kamala a better choice than Biden when it comes to policy? The fact that she is younger, a person of color, or female makes no difference in the policies she will follow. The policies that have been placing a great strain on the American people.

If elected, the strain of those policies will continue and maybe worsen. You can say what you will, but under Trump, we were not involved in three military conflicts, and possibility with a fourth to come, we were not supporting these additional millions of people and life for most was better. Ronald Reagan said it the best. "Peace through strength." World leaders feared Trump because they never could anticipate what he might do or how he would respond. They did not fear Biden, so here we are dealing with the Middle East crisis, Russia and Ukraine, both of which have cost us many billions of dollars. The worst part is that they will also NOT fear Harris.

Most people are aware that various news media networks lean towards one candidate or the other. Honestly, I don't view that as fair and equal reporting. However, the way around that is to watch more than one network. Hear the views of both sides, and do not let the newspaper, social media, the news media, or anyone else sway your opinions. Form your own. Do some research.

I do believe that this presential election is critical. Maybe even a turning point for our nation. This election will significantly affect our future, children, and grandchildren. Our national debt is well over 35 trillion dollars and rising. Our military conflicts and open border policies are only two reasons for this climb. Every president has spent money and added to the debt. However, is what we are spending it on in our best interest- not only as citizens but as a nation? However, we also must give credit where credit is due. The Biden administration made significant progress with big pharma and drug costs. However, there is still much work to be done on that front.

I will not say we are a failing nation. However, I will say we are a nation in peril. This means things cannot continue along the path they are taking now. It is proven that our present path is not working. Therefore, watch this next debate and any others before the November elections. Watch and learn, then choose wisely. I watch Kamala Harris in her N.C. rally. She stated in her first term, four years, that she would create 3 million new affordable houses for middle-class people. Considering the number of middle-class people in our nation, 3 million homes is not much. It's a drop in the bucket. The housing market was booming pre-pandemic. Why, and why can't it get back to that? That was during the Trump administration.

Early voting can be a curse. You cannot change your vote if something new comes to light after you have already voted. That is the primary reason I believe in one-day voting. Think about it: for decades, with lesser technology, the country voted on one day, and usually, by the time the eleven o'clock news came on, we had a pretty good idea who was going to win. Anything can happen at any time that can change your mind. Therefore, don't you believe you should wait to be sure all the facts are in before you vote? Voting is not a privilege; it is a right. It is a right we all have as American citizens; we should never take it for granted and not waste it. Remember that you must live with the outcome for the next four years.

We must compare the candidates' records. Look at California, the state that Kamala Harris boasts she has done so much for, has turned out. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. I am NOT suggesting who you should vote for. I have only stated my opinion. You must choose for yourself who you wish to vote for. I only suggest you vote wisely and not with blinders on.

Again, as Ronald Reagan said, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"

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Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always: