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This thread will cost me followers, and I'm ok with that. It will cost me friends, and that's tougher to swallow. Some family members will also stop speaking to me, and that's the hardest part. /1
I'm a lifelong conservative. I'm a gun owner. I live rurally. I'm in the 1%. In 2016, I donated to and voted for Donald Trump. Enthusiastically.
This year, I voted for Joe Biden, and I wanted to share why. /2
This year, I voted for Joe Biden, and I wanted to share why. /2
Basically, Donald Trump lost my vote for 3 reasons.
1. He's not a conservative.
2. He didn't keep the campaign promises that were most dear to me.
3. Decency. /3
1. He's not a conservative.
2. He didn't keep the campaign promises that were most dear to me.
3. Decency. /3
I know true conservatism is a dying dogma. Since 2008, very few have actually practiced what they preach. I expected more from a Republican President with a Republican Congress and conservative-leaning court. /4
Donald Trump outspent Barack Obama in his first term. PRE-COVID. That is inexcusable to me as a fiscal conservative. One can't claim the economy is the "greatest ever" and then have to deficit spend at record levels to sustain it. /5
I was taught to believe in the power and productivity of free markets. Donald Trump has interfered in both financial and trading markets at a level that would make any progressive blush. /6
Tariffs can be effective when used as part of a plan and with a purpose a la Reagan. There wasn't a plan this time. He thought China and the EU would fold. They didn't. We got nothing. And they aren't paying these tariffs - American consumers and businesses are. /7
I've been critical of any politician who interferes in equity markets. Donald Trump rightfully called this a "big, ugly bubble" as a candidate. When he thought it would help his reelection, he became a bigger blower of that bubble than Jim Cramer. /8
I've owned guns for as long as I can remember. I didn't lose any rights under Obama. In fact, I got my concealed carry permit. Donald Trump has done nothing to enhance 2A rights. Instead, he suggested "taking the guns" and avoiding due process for certain gun owners. /8b
The only campaign promise I've seen Trump keep is relative to judicial appointments. He's done nothing substantive to bring back manufacturing. He didn't even attempt to end the Carried Interest Provision. The Fed still acts to serve Wall Street, and not the American public. /9
I don't even need to mention how horrible the economy has become - a direct reaction to his mishandling of the Coronavirus pandemic. /10
The first two Presidents I was aware of growing up were Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush. Despite disagreements sometimes politically, I was always proud they were my President. /11
The disgusting things Donald Trump said about women and minorities as a candidate almost (and should have) kept me from supporting him. He's gotten worse and not better with hateful rhetoric and incessant lying. I'm not proud of the President anymore. /12
Is Joe Biden perfect? Far from it. My ideal candidate would look like Admiral McRaven, John Kasich, or Justin Amash. They aren't on the ballot. /13
I believe wholeheartedly that Joe Biden will bring honor back to the Presidency. I believe he is better suited to address the COVID pandemic. And I KNOW that he will put the health of the economy above the price of stocks. /14
I can happily accept some of his more liberal positions in exchange for the good I believe he will do. And I hope his victory leads the GOP to abandon this cult of personality and re-embrace real conservative principles. /15
I've tried to use Twitter as a platform to inform and educate. Financial literacy is a core cause for me. I wouldn't be living up to my own ideals if I didn't express why I feel so strongly about this election and its economic impact. /end
