I have always been an independent who has voted for Republican, Democratic, and third-party candidates in federal, state, and local elections since my first ballot was cast in 1970. And under no circumstances am I voting for Donald Trump.
While I don't agree with everything Steve West posits, I, too, have been told the six things he outlines in his very first paragraph.
I, too, have been told that the country cannot afford for me to vote the convictions of my conscience. I, too, have been vilified by folks who would rather me not go to the polls at all than vote for someone other than Hillary Clinton.
Indeed, if Mr. West “detests” her policies, character, and likely governing style, then my feelings toward the same qualities go far beyond loathing and despising; “abhorrent” is too gentle a description.
Mr. West has conjured for me a new - and accurate - description of Clinton: “a candidate who is as offensive as Obama and as nearly as offensive as Trump.” Just as Obama is a professor of constitutional law who is incapable of prosecuting the criminals within or who preceded his administration, Clinton is constitutionally incapable of exhibiting a moral compass based on honesty; worse is that she appears incapable of acting in furtherance of such a moral compass.
Her flip flops on numerous issues are worthy of a Women's Olympic Gymnastics team performance. Her ability to read a political issue is indeed keen, as is her willingness to tell the electorate whatever she deems enhances her electability.
If, as it does almost without exception, that requires a 180-degree turnaround, so be it, and may the consequences be damned.
However, inexplicably, there are rarely consequences.
When caught in her many lies and policy reversals, the media give her more acquittals than John (the “Telfon Don”) Gotti received from federal juries. That has contributed to her moral high ground being well below sea level.
Not voting is never a choice for me. When I vote the courage of my convictions, I am making a statement of agreement with what the candidate professes to represent. I am unable to agree with that which Clinton professes to represent (which might be different tomorrow); ergo, she will never receive my vote, irrespective of how many folks tell me I'm stupid, ignorant, selfish, and the like.
That is not to say that I am never stupid or ignorant or selfish, etc. After all, I'm human with normal frailties. But not when it comes to Hillary Clinton.