It is probable that Mariner has harped too often about how important the 2016 election is. However, it is true. And in a few days Iowan readers will participate in phase I of the election process – the Iowa Caucus. Soon thereafter until July, all other states and territories will participate as well.

To let the mariner rest assured he has done all he can to help voters understand the importance of their vote and the issues that the voter is actually deciding, whether directly or by inference, the mariner provides the final countdown list for casting the voter’s most influential impact in the caucus/primary and in November.

1. Identify the key issue that you want to promote in this election. The broader it is, the better it is. For example, a narrow issue is whether to provide a path to citizenship for resident immigrants. Many voters stop here and cast an emotional opinion based on racism or on conscientious treatment. Mentally step up a level and think about cultural, historical and economic ramifications; how will the immigration issue help or hinder each of these; what subsequent issue may emerge; will that subsequent issue be on a path to improvement for our country?
2. What legislation, government attitude, or new action must be changed to help the key issue in number 1?
3. Quickly research each candidate on websites, news sources, and use your computer search engine to search the candidate’s history and future commitments that will affect you key issue. This task, though a quick one taking minutes to an hour, is not usually used. Instead, a voter usually listens to friends, talks with co-workers and family. In 2016, however, it is true information about the candidate, not gossip or news broadcasts that will magnify the accuracy and influence of your vote.
4. Disregard incumbency, appearance and popular personality. Too many popular, attractive, schmaltzy incompetents are elected on these characteristics alone. Avoid evaluations like “With which candidate would you feel more comfortable having dinner?” Instead, ask a similar question: “With which candidate would you feel more confident when you hand your key issue to them?”
5. Consider political ramifications. Any elected President will need at least one Congressional house to successfully adopt your issue; on the state level, which candidate will address gerrymandering, or infrastructure, or unions, or health care – all are local issues that will promote or defeat your key issue as the near future plays out.
6. Finally, ask yourself whether a candidate wants to promote new, modern solutions that will move the US and your key issue forward or whether the candidate berates current conditions with a desire to stabilize or remove ‘troublesome’ programs to return to solutions that have existed in the past and denies exploratory opportunities for uses of budget, civil service, and unanimity among classes, races, education – and perhaps your key issue.

The last point is the key issue for the mariner. The broadest level is addressing all our nation’s antiquated solutions that have not helped the nation to date and likely will block progress when progress is the answer. At this moment in US history, the only important question is “Will the nation and its population experience a fresh wind in the decade following 2016?”

Ancient Mariner