Voting often depends on the information that the voter has remembered or understood. How has voting changed in this age of information? Or maybe, how does one vote today?

Clearly, we all receive too much information. So, what information do we believe? Most people want facts. If not facts, then the opinions of people that are experts in the subject matter. We typically vote on politicians that provide us with the most benefits such as good roads, good schools, etc.

What and Who to Believe
In deciding what to believe we immediately are faced with television, radio and print with emotions. Emotions are fear, envy, anger, sadness, joy, disgust, surprise, trust, and anticipation. Most often used are fear, envy, and anger.
Fear is the "The sky is falling."  "The climate is warming."  
Envy is "The neighbor has a better house or car than me." "The oligarchs have more money than me."
Anger is the police letting loose criminals.
Other phases are:
"X will reverse progress."  The word progress must be defined. Does it mean more government money to pay for it?
"Letting the people decide."  This means letting the majority decide or in other words, mob rule, or democracy. We have a republic not a democracy. We elect people to make decisions for us.

Academia vs. Practicality
In America we typically believe in practical people and solutions over academics and theory. Academics with government degrees have recently been favored. They are the ones with government jobs or just very secure jobs vs. the rest of us.

There is so much competition in news viewing that they are looking for viewers or clicks. Guests on shows are often radical to evoke a reaction from the viewer. Leftward views dominate.

When left leaning professors are interviewed on shows, they often preface their opinions with their credentials, appear arrogant in the truthfulness of their opinion, often use vulgarity or say their data is the only correct way of interpreting the data. They may use ad hominem*. It makes for great television. Maybe a little bit of Jerry Springer?

Americans often favor practical solutions. So, when a politician comes from a business background, a quick and efficient way of solving the problem is proposed. Government solutions are not for every solution. Government is slow, inefficient, and participatory. It is good for certain solutions.

Weed through the emotions and opinions. Your blood pressure will reward you.

Balance
Voters do not need to wade through the local news every day when you can elect a Republican. A Republican will provide balance to the legislature. They will do it for you. You can hear two sides of a discussion. The county council should be balanced. The county council should listen to a large number of Republicans in the county.

A Republican would ask how much things cost.
Our county has compassion, but how much does compassion cost?
Our county is very environmentally conscious but how much does it cost?
How many "causes" do we fund?
What are the consequences of poor budgeting or estimates? Anybody thinking of the Purple Line?
If you want even more benefits and you think you are not paying for it, vote Democratic.
 
Be careful what you wish for or you should maybe be careful who you vote for.

Moderates and Independents you are welcome to vote for a Republican.

Here are the local MCC Republican candidates.
Reardon Sullivan MCC District 1, Engineering Business Owner, Engineer
Esther Wells MCC Council Executive, Certified Public Account, President of MC Taxpayers League, Senior Tax Manager
Sherwin Wells MCC Council At-Large, Doctor of Ministry, US Army Leader, Financial Services Experience, Mortgage Broker, Managing Broker of Multi-State Firm
Ricky Mui MCC District 3, US Navy Officer specializing in Financial Management, Chair of Rockville City Human Services Commission,  Federal Contractor
Josephine Salazar MCC District 5, Government Manager, expertise in Technology Policy, Small Business
Louella Tham MCC District 6, Experienced in Finance, Banking, Sales, Contracts and Negotiations
Brenda Diaz MC Board of Education At-Large, Local Experienced Educator and Volunteer Public Service, Multiple Administrative and Teaching Challenges, Spanish Teacher
Dolores Reyes Montgomery County Register of Wills, Communication Masters, Business Owner, Commerce Department, consultant, commentator, speaker

*  Ad hominem
1    Attacking a person's character or motivations rather than a position or argument.
2    "Debaters should avoid ad hominem arguments that question their opponents' motives."
3    Appealing to the emotions rather than to logic or reason. Appealing to personal considerations (rather than to fact or reason).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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William Irving, PE, an electrical engineer interested in all energies and lives in Montgomery County.