If you are, like me, weary of the constant political bickering and fighting between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, then maybe it's time to start thinking about electing some leaders who put the American people first and party politics last. One recent candidate for POTUS who looks like he fits that bill is Bernie Sanders. Sanders is a progressive politician, and he is running for the Democratic nomination against Hilary Clinton. But he is actually an independent with a mind of his own.
There are several positions about Sanders that I find appealing. One of his most important positions is that he wants to see our Middle Eastern allies take a more prominent leadership role in fighting the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. I, personally, see these two organizations as completely evil, bent on somehow starting a world war between Islam and everyone else, and ultimately as an existential threat. But both groups have a long way to go before they can spark that global war and in the meantime the Middle Eastern nations could do a lot more to stop that from ever happening.
Another area where I like Sanders' reasoning is his support for the American middle class. The Obama administration has done some nice things for poor Americans, and I would be the last person to want to take health care away from millions of families that never had it before. But Obama's policies have always hurt the middle class. I am sure he did not want that but he compromised with the Republican Party way too much.
The Republicans don't want to tax wealthier Americans even though wealthy Americans like Warren Buffett oppose Republican positions on taxing the super rich. When you are as out-of-touch with reality as the Republican Party you don't deserve to stay in power. Bernie Sanders would put the middle class first and maybe, just maybe, his differences with the Democratic Party would help him reach some compromises with the Republicans.
Of course, it would be better if we voted the Republican Party out of Congress. All they seem to know how to do is shut down the government. Who needs that kind of leadership?
Bernie Sanders opposed our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, I believe we needed to take Al Qaeda down and should have invaded Afghanistan but I also believe that the Bush and Obama administrations have squandered valuable opportunities to behave responsibly abroad. American foreign policy is a shambles that has led to the destruction of several countries around the world.
It's one thing to stand on your principles and say you won't support a dictator. It's another to foment rebellion in a nation and then to stand aside and do nothing while the people of that nation suffers. Sanders would probably be a "hands off" foreign policy president, and that sounds like the best path for American interests abroad. We can't afford to keep making enemies the way Bush and Obama have.
If you are not sure of how closely Bernie Sanders aligns with your political views you can check out where he stands on many issues. But if that doesn't convince you, try taking this test on your own political views to see which politicians you really side with. You may be surprised by what you learn there.
