I am a conservative. I am voting for Hillary Clinton.
I believe in smaller, more responsive government. But I also believe that there are certain things that can only be done at the federal level.
I believe in totally equality under the law. But I also believe that many wrongs against minorities need to be righted.
I believe in a strong military. But I also believe it's not our place or responsibility to intervene everywhere just because we can.
I believe in personal responsibility and the freedom to fail. I also believe that many people really do need help due to no fault of their own and for them we need a strong safety net.
At the federal level, I prioritize foreign policy and economics. For the last 24 years I have voted Republican because I felt they better represented me in those areas.
Before then I was a registered Democrat. I served a term as a Democratic Precinct Delegate and participated heavily in the county party. But, I felt the party had moved away from me in some fundamental ways. When I left, I did NOT join the Republican party. I knew that I didn't agree with them enough to become a card-carrying Republican. Over the years there were Democrats I could have voted for, but none of them ever made it past the primaries.
I might have, probably would have, voted Republican this year for almost any other candidate except Cruz. If it had been Cruz I was going to sit it out. I believe he's a grandstanding jerk and there are many things I don't like about Hilary. But, at the end of the day, I believe they both had a fundamental competency and that America could survive either way.
I do not feel that way about Donald Trump.
Trump is fundamentally unqualified for the Presidency in all the ways I care about. I listed my beliefs earlier and he opposes every single one. His obvious racism aside, he's been consistent on two things this campaign. The first was weakening American military power by withdrawing from the world. We don't need to be the world's police, but we have the ability and obligation to ourselves and our allies to be there when needed. I could never figure out how Trump expected to fight ISIS when he wants to close overseas bases and gut our force projection capabilities. We can't fight terrorism and rogue nation states when we have no allies.
The second thing he's been consistent on is destabilizing the economy. His tariffs would decrease American industry by removing us from the global market. At the same time, they would cause a huge jump in consumer costs with no corresponding increase in wages. Add in other outcomes such as the dollar no longer being the world's reserve currency and our bonds losing value and it's a recipe for disaster.
Republicans say that other, clearer heads will prevail and reign in his worse tendencies. Maybe. But how do you undo the immediate hurt he can cause as President by his words alone? Look at how global markets have reacted to what he has said even before he has the power to implement them. By the time those "clearer heads" can step in, the damage will have been done. And then Trump will move on to the next damaging proclamation
Republicans say "what about the courts"? What about them? Yes, I prefer a Scalia and Thomas to a Ginsberg. But I also know that Hillary will not nominate unqualified people. I may not agree with their judicial philosophy, but so what? The country will survive. Trump has his list and there's some good people on it. I have no faith that he will nominate those people and not nationalists that will support his agenda and be more activist than Republicans accuse the liberal judges as judges being.
Given all this, as well as his racism and anti-LGBTQ stances, I can never vote for Trump. For the first time in 24 years I became active in party politics again. Since August I have given time to my local Democratic Party. First in voter registration in minority areas, then in GOTV canvassing. I know others have done more (a special shout out here to adam387 and his mother), but I'm glad I did my part.
There is a good chance I may vote Republican again down the road if they fix their fundamental problems. I have no faith they will do so. I still don't consider myself a Democrat. I do know that I will never vote for any candidate that endorsed or supported Trump, however tepidly.
I don't have a strong ending for this way to long essay. So, I'll just end by saying #IMWITHHER and let's win this today. The world is watching.