2018 Election Issues

[djAdvocate]

in 2016, the two top issues were Terrorism and The Economy.  both of these issues favored the GOP/Trump.

in 2018, the top issue is Healthcare.  the next (3) issues are roughly tied for second: terrorism, immigration, and the economy.  so it is more of a mixed bag for Democrats/Republicans.

www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2018-06/2018_reuters_tracking_-_core_political_06_06_2018.pdf

what does everyone hear out there from the campaign trail?

[kadee79]

All we hear/see are the stupid gun commercials for governor here.  One holding the gun on his daughter's suitor and the opposition holding a gun while quizzing the other candidate...and finally telling him to get off his porch while swinging the gun his way.
I ALMOST wish they would shot each other and we could get a decent candidate.

As for the OP, not the campaign trail, but just speaking with friends, relatives & other folks...yes, health care is at the top.  But I'm in a REALLY RED are too, so that is contradictory.  We have few Democrats running for anything.

[djAdvocate]

Jun 9, 2018 12:13:38 GMT -5 kadee79 said:

All we hear/see are the stupid gun commercials for governor here.  One holding the gun on his daughter's suitor and the opposition holding a gun while quizzing the other candidate...and finally telling him to get off his porch while swinging the gun his way.
I ALMOST wish they would shot each other and we could get a decent candidate.

As for the OP, not the campaign trail, but just speaking with friends, relatives & other folks...yes, health care is at the top.  But I'm in a REALLY RED are too, so that is contradictory.  We have few Democrats running for anything.

if you look at these issues by party affiliation, here are the top three issues based on party:

GOP: Immigration, Terrorism, Healthcare

Dem: Healthcare, The Economy, "Other"

Ind: Terrorism, The Economy, Healthcare

i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high.  any guesses about why?

[thyme4change]

I haven't heard diddly-squat about terrorism. Although the bulk of the ads I have seen are for our Democrat running for Senator. She is focusing on taking care of poor people, specifically education and healthcare. Once the Republican party gets settled down and has their candidate, it will ramp up on immigration and terrorism. I'm wondering why I personally haven't seen many ads for the Republican primaries. They seem to have 3 viable candidates - all people speaking to Trump's base. I would think they would be duking it out by now.

[Tennesseer]

"i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high. any guesses about why?"

Because those damn Sikhs crashed commercial jetliners into the WTC?  Because those damn Sikhs want to impose Sharia law in the U.S.?

[thyme4change]

Jun 9, 2018 12:41:15 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

"i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high. any guesses about why?"

Because those damn Sikhs crashed commercial jetliners into the WTC?  Because those damn Sikhs want to impose Sharia law in the U.S.?

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

#handmaidstale

[Tennesseer]

Jun 9, 2018 12:43:21 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Jun 9, 2018 12:41:15 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

"i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high. any guesses about why?"

Because those damn Sikhs crashed commercial jetliners into the WTC?  Because those damn Sikhs want to impose Sharia law in the U.S.?

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

#handmaidstale

That was a good read and glad I read it. Hopefully the Netflix (?) series of the book will be on cable tv some time.

I have read they want to do a season two of the book?

[djAdvocate]

Jun 9, 2018 12:41:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I haven't heard diddly-squat about terrorism. Although the bulk of the ads I have seen are for our Democrat running for Senator. She is focusing on taking care of poor people, specifically education and healthcare. Once the Republican party gets settled down and has their candidate, it will ramp up on immigration and terrorism. I'm wondering why I personally haven't seen many ads for the Republican primaries. They seem to have 3 viable candidates - all people speaking to Trump's base. I would think they would be duking it out by now.

precisely.  so why is it coming in so high on the survey?  it is not a super hot button issue.  it is not even as hot button as in 2016.  but it is still pretty high up there, and #1 among independents.

i really don't get it.  i can't even remember the last terrorist attack here.

[NastyWoman]

Jun 9, 2018 13:17:44 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 12:41:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I haven't heard diddly-squat about terrorism. Although the bulk of the ads I have seen are for our Democrat running for Senator. She is focusing on taking care of poor people, specifically education and healthcare. Once the Republican party gets settled down and has their candidate, it will ramp up on immigration and terrorism. I'm wondering why I personally haven't seen many ads for the Republican primaries. They seem to have 3 viable candidates - all people speaking to Trump's base. I would think they would be duking it out by now.

precisely.  so why is it coming in so high on the survey?  it is not a super hot button issue.  it is not even as hot button as in 2016.  but it is still pretty high up there, and #1 among independents.

i really don't get it.  i can't even remember the last terrorist attack here.

I might have been wrong at the time, but I distinctly remember the terror-watch (color code) going up each time an election came up when GWB was in the office. And ever since I feel like playing on peoples' fears has become a true and tried repub tactic to be pulled out for any election they feel needs help

[dondub]

Handmaid's Tale season 1 is showing on Netflix now. We gobbled it up quite rapidly. Season 2 may be on HULU which we don't subscribe too.

When I watched season 1 Virgil came to mind for some reason.

[thyme4change]

Jun 9, 2018 13:44:14 GMT -5 dondub said:

Handmaid's Tale season 1 is showing on Netflix now. We gobbled it up quite rapidly. Season 2 may be on HULU which we don't subscribe too.

When I watched season 1 Virgil came to mind for some reason.

Season 2 is on Hulu. They release a new episode every Wednesday. My personal opinion...it is worth the $5.99 monthly fee.

[djAdvocate]

Jun 9, 2018 13:38:20 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Jun 9, 2018 13:17:44 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

precisely.  so why is it coming in so high on the survey?  it is not a super hot button issue.  it is not even as hot button as in 2016.  but it is still pretty high up there, and #1 among independents.

i really don't get it.  i can't even remember the last terrorist attack here.

I might have been wrong at the time, but I distinctly remember the terror-watch (color code) going up each time an election came up when GWB was in the office. And ever since I feel like playing on peoples' fears has become a true and tried rebup tactic to be pulked out for any election they feel needs "help"

right.  that explains a plausible how- but here is the thing......

the survey shows that this is the #1 concern among independents.  a large number of independent voters are millenials that feel no party loyalties.  so, how are young people getting "triggered" by events that they have pretty much never experienced?  all of us older folks went through 911.  we get it.  but why are so many young people feeling this twang when there has been so little activity since 911?

again: i am not understanding it, but i am perfectly willing to hear WHY it is happening, today.

[thyme4change]

Jun 9, 2018 14:17:51 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 13:38:20 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I might have been wrong at the time, but I distinctly remember the terror-watch (color code) going up each time an election came up when GWB was in the office. And ever since I feel like playing on peoples' fears has become a true and tried rebup tactic to be pulked out for any election they feel needs "help"

right.  that explains a plausible how- but here is the thing......

the survey shows that this is the #1 concern among independents.  a large number of independent voters are millenials that feel no party loyalties.  so, how are young people getting "triggered" by events that they have pretty much never experienced?  all of us older folks went through 911.  we get it.  but why are so many young people feeling this twang when there has been so little activity since 911?

again: i am not understanding it, but i am perfectly willing to hear WHY it is happening, today.

Where did that statistic come from? I would love to read more about it.

[djAdvocate]

Jun 9, 2018 14:23:38 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Jun 9, 2018 14:17:51 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

right.  that explains a plausible how- but here is the thing......

the survey shows that this is the #1 concern among independents.  a large number of independent voters are millenials that feel no party loyalties.  so, how are young people getting "triggered" by events that they have pretty much never experienced?  all of us older folks went through 911.  we get it.  but why are so many young people feeling this twang when there has been so little activity since 911?

again: i am not understanding it, but i am perfectly willing to hear WHY it is happening, today.

Where did that statistic come from? I would love to read more about it.

what statistic?  that it is the #1 issue among independents?  it is in the survey in the OP.

if that is not what you meant, please briefly rephrase the question.

[kadee79]

I wonder if they are concerned about home-grown terrorists rather than international ones?  Like school shooters & other shooters like Las Vegas or the stuff that went down at Charlottesville (not sure right town).

[Tennesseer]

Jun 9, 2018 14:17:51 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 13:38:20 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I might have been wrong at the time, but I distinctly remember the terror-watch (color code) going up each time an election came up when GWB was in the office. And ever since I feel like playing on peoples' fears has become a true and tried rebup tactic to be pulked out for any election they feel needs "help"

right.  that explains a plausible how- but here is the thing......

the survey shows that this is the #1 concern among independents.  a large number of independent voters are millenials that feel no party loyalties.  so, how are young people getting "triggered" by events that they have pretty much never experienced?  all of us older folks went through 911.  we get it.  but why are so many young people feeling this twang when there has been so little activity since 911?

again: i am not understanding it, but i am perfectly willing to hear WHY it is happening, today.

Is it international terrorism or home-grown terrorism. There has been no grand international terrorism since 9/11 but plenty of domestic terrorism-Newtown, Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland, etc.

I am more concerned with domestic terrorist than any international terrorists. And yes, the home-grown killers are terrorists.

[Tennesseer]

Jun 9, 2018 12:03:01 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

in 2016, the two top issues were Terrorism and The Economy.  both of these issues favored the GOP/Trump.

in 2018, the top issue is Healthcare.  the next (3) issues are roughly tied for second: terrorism, immigration, and the economy.  so it is more of a mixed bag for Democrats/Republicans.

www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2018-06/2018_reuters_tracking_-_core_political_06_06_2018.pdf

what does everyone hear out there from the campaign trail?

Quite a few of the ads I see on TV are for Republicans running for office. And many of them also are trying to ride trump's coattails. Some even state they have many things in common with trump. I have to wonder exactly what do they have in common with trump: sexual assault? Adultery? Multiple bankruptcies? Fraud?

Diane Black, the U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 6th congressional district, is running for governor and is running ads about illegal immigration. The opening shot of her video is talking about catch-and-release fishing and then goes on about how wrong the government's catch-and-release as it relates to illegal immigrants and how she will stop it. The only thing wrong with the ad is at the beginning with the catch-and-release fishing scene: she has a fish in hand and tosses it back into the water. The only problem is the fish does not swim away. It floats on its side in the water.

(Black is the politician who claims the reason why boys are shooting up high schools and killing classmates and teachers is because of pornography.)

[pooks]

In the primary the republicans really tried to tie themselves to Trump.  They tried to outdo each other about who loved Trump more.  And ranches, I get so sick of hearing about ranches.  

The Dems were talking about education (horribly underfunded) and healthcare (medicaid expansion will now be on the 2018 ballot).  

Now that we are in the general, I doubt I will see any ads.  The republicans will win and that will be that.  The medicaid expansion will be the only interesting thing to watch at the state level.  

[sesfw]

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

Thyme ………. would you rather have Sharia law?  I wouldn't

[thyme4change]

Jun 9, 2018 14:31:42 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 14:23:38 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Where did that statistic come from? I would love to read more about it.

what statistic?  that it is the #1 issue among independents?  it is in the survey in the OP.

if that is not what you meant, please briefly rephrase the question.

Sorry. As you can tell, I didn't open the link.

It is listed as the top concern, with 15% of independents. There is a +/- of 9%, and the economy is close behind. It would sway voters.

Why are they getting triggered is a great question. Maybe they picked a bad batch, or those were the 15% that are over 40. It is an interesting question for sure.

[thyme4change]

Jun 9, 2018 17:36:15 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

Thyme ………. would you rather have Sharia law?  I wouldn't

I will pick none of the above. No reason to have religion all mixed up in the government.

[weltschmerz]

Jun 9, 2018 17:36:15 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

Thyme ………. would you rather have Sharia law?  I wouldn't

So it has to be one or the other?
How about NO religious laws?

[Tiny]

Jun 9, 2018 12:19:29 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 12:13:38 GMT -5 kadee79 said:

All we hear/see are the stupid gun commercials for governor here.  One holding the gun on his daughter's suitor and the opposition holding a gun while quizzing the other candidate...and finally telling him to get off his porch while swinging the gun his way.
I ALMOST wish they would shot each other and we could get a decent candidate.

As for the OP, not the campaign trail, but just speaking with friends, relatives & other folks...yes, health care is at the top.  But I'm in a REALLY RED are too, so that is contradictory.  We have few Democrats running for anything.

if you look at these issues by party affiliation, here are the top three issues based on party:

GOP: Immigration, Terrorism, Healthcare

Dem: Healthcare, The Economy, "Other"

Ind: Terrorism, The Economy, Healthcare

i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high.  any guesses about why?

I swear the Election Issues are generated by politicians - they pick something that makes people afraid or angry and then go at it gung ho.   

FWIW:  the local election issues tend to be Jobs/Economy (as in keeping/getting businesses) which feeds into Taxes, the quality of the schools, and how to deal with crime (gangs), and promoting our suburb (and the surrounding ones) as a place you would want to live.     All of those feed into making our suburb (and the surrounding ones) better for families. 

Businesses provide jobs and property taxes and people wanting to come to our suburbs. The money available to schools depends on the businesses and property taxes.  Reasonable schools (and good local businesses that people want to spend money at) means people might like to live here and raise their family.  That keeps our housing market stable, the community stable, and supports businesses.    It's all tied together.   That's been the Political "Message" for out local elections for the last 10 years or so.  And it seems LOTS of people are committed to this - since it takes time, effort, and change because it's happening... old buildings are torn down, new ones built attracting business and customers.  The housing stock is attractive and people are buying and upgrading houses (which has spawned a whole slew of 'regulations' and 'code changes" for what you can and cannot do to upgrade your house - and it's a GOOD thing!)    10 years plus of work and dedication to the "Bigger Plan" is starting to pay off.   

At the state level - it's Healthcare and Jobs and Infrastructure. 

The only time I hear people mention Terrorism or Immigration is ONLY after the TV/Media goes into a frenzy about it.   If no one mentions Terrorism/Immigration it's not a topic anyone brings up.   

[Tiny]

Jun 9, 2018 17:36:15 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I'm more worried about those damn fundamentalists imposing their version of "god's will" on us.

Thyme ………. would you rather have Sharia law?  I wouldn't

it's the same thing... I don't want ANY religious majority to tell me how to act, look, be.  I don't want ANY religious majority to legally define what's just, right or fair.    Religion and Government should be separate.    Even if I agree mostly with whatever 'morality' the religion is imposing on the populace thru the government - it's still wrong. 

[billisonboard]

Jun 9, 2018 12:19:29 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

...
i think that it is interesting that terrorism is rating so high.  any guesses about why?

Mr Independent Voter: "So I am looking at this list of 'problems'. All my friends and I have good jobs. I am healthy as a horse but have good medical insurance through my job anyway. Brown people don't bother me, I'm not a racist. I live in a safe neighborhood. Always hated science, it was so boring. I guess we have troops overseas fighting somewhere, but noone I know is serving in the military. So what's left? Boy, another terrorist attack would be bad. Yeah, that one would be a major problem."

[kadee79]

Probably the biggest concern in my immediate area is the farm bill....how it will come down & how controls are being relaxed on chemicals...pesticides/herbicides.  The merger of Bayer & Monsanto is troubling...Bayer is going to control too much of the farm supplies.

[Opti]

Jun 9, 2018 13:17:44 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jun 9, 2018 12:41:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I haven't heard diddly-squat about terrorism. Although the bulk of the ads I have seen are for our Democrat running for Senator. She is focusing on taking care of poor people, specifically education and healthcare. Once the Republican party gets settled down and has their candidate, it will ramp up on immigration and terrorism. I'm wondering why I personally haven't seen many ads for the Republican primaries. They seem to have 3 viable candidates - all people speaking to Trump's base. I would think they would be duking it out by now.

precisely.  so why is it coming in so high on the survey?  it is not a super hot button issue.  it is not even as hot button as in 2016.  but it is still pretty high up there, and #1 among independents.

i really don't get it.  i can't even remember the last terrorist attack here.

It may be high because nothing really happened on Trump's signature anti terrorism promises. The wall has not been built. There are still lots of Muslims, Mexicans, and others in the US.

[djAdvocate]

good answers, you guys.

i think i like bill's the best.  things are relatively good, so the remaining unsolved problems are bubbling to the top.  of course that doesn't explain the immigration issue at all.  but it explains the terrorism one nicely.