The race for the next president of the United States has already started and it’s time to pay attention. Like, really pay attention. Media is going to be the number one source for information, but nothing in life is ever that simple.
This past week heralded the first Democratic debate of the 2016 election. All five candidates came out in their Sunday best, but it was clear that Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were the stars of the show.
The candidates broached many hot-button issues, including race relations, gun control, immigration and, of course, the economic status of the country. Despite the fierce debating, it was a civil discussion, which is something that can’t be said for the Republican variant.
As with all debates, there were winners and losers. While Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee are widely regarded as the losers, the winner is very much unclear. However, notable sites like CNN and BBC touted Clinton as the champion of the debate.
On the other hand, the Chicago Tribune named Sanders the clear-cut winner. Even social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook have sided with Sanders, which is significant because when the public speaks out, that carries quite a bit of weight.
Though the winner of the debate is important, what really matters is whose views resonate with you the most. This is only the first of many debates, and it’s time to start taking an active role in choosing the nation’s next leader.
There are numerous places to get information on the candidates, including their stances and views on how to be our new Commander in Chief, from news sites such as CNN to even a social blogging platform.
But it can’t all be trusted.
CNN, one of the biggest news website to date, is owned by Time Warner. Time Warner is a large supporter of Clinton. So, take any praise given to Clinton with a grain of salt. To believe that there is no favoritism or bias would be to play the fool, and we’re at a time when we can’t afford to do that.
In choosing whom to vote for, it’s important to become a “sponge.” Don’t rely on “winners” of a debate. Go out and absorb as much information as you can from every credible source you can find. The nonsense that spouts from Donald Trump’s mouth is a credible source on why he’s an a**hole, for example.
Innate bias is going to be prevalent in every media outlet, so take that into account as you form your own opinion. Whether or not you vote for Clinton, Sanders, Bush or even Trump, make sure you’ve researched that choice. There is no such thing as being too informed.
