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Be an Informed Voter for Tennessee's 2018 Governor's Race

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As we come up to another election period, there are some things we need to keep in mind before we make our way to the polls for Tennessee's 2018 Governor's Race. In any situation, we should try to know as much as we can before we are to make a decision. Voting shouldn't be any different. In total as a nation, as well as our form as a separate state, we are a republic. We elect people to make decisions on behalf of us. Many people often think that we vote on specific laws, but obviously, as ever more clear since the periodic government shutdown, what we are actually voting for is someone who we hope will stand for the majority of our beliefs. Being informed on what each of the candidates stand for is key in voting for those whom we believe to embody our best representation.

Over the years, the two major political parties have been gradually moving more extreme, often creating situations where people on all sides argue that there isn't someone who truly represents what they stand for. One of the issues that I have discussed in my classes in college and as early as some of my high school classes, is that people still vote along party lines, not paying attention to what the individual is actually wanting to get accomplished. That being said, no one can please everyone, and no one can please the entirety of their party. That is too many people with too many opinions of which to try to appeal. Many key arguments that come up so often may have exceptions that the opposing view points often bring up trying to discount the argument of the first. That seems to work now since we have become so polarized in our political stances in the lime light, but if you talk to your friends, you may find that you are much closer in beliefs than you originally thought.

Being an informed voter helps you have actual debates and conversations with those who don't share all of your views. When you can have a truly civil conversation about beliefs, you can understand, to some extent, how and why people believe what they believe. Civil conversations about differences are the only way society can truly move forward. Bickering over every little thing with no room for discourse is the proverbial fingers in the ears that keeps everyone from thinking about the issue at hand from all views before making a decision. There are at least two sides to every story and situation, and our system is made in such a way as to let them all be heard.

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So now that I am off my soap box about what my stance is about being informed before you vote, here is some information that I hope will help you all with the upcoming governor's election for Tennessee!

Those who are running and their political parties (List information from the Tennessean):

Mae Beavers: Republican/State Senator (personal site unavailable)

Randy Boyd: Republican/Former Economic and Community Development Commissioner

Karl Dean: Democrat/Former Mayor of Nashville

Craig Fitzhugh: Democrat/House Minority Leader

Beth Harwell: Republican/House Speaker

Bill Lee: Republican/Member of the Higher Education Commission

This list is just in alphabetical order. I encourage each of you to click the link above the list of names for more information on each candidate as well as the link their names provide for their personal campaign websites to learn more about their views on key issues!


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