I Can Explain Hillary Clinton to My Kids, But Not Donald Trump

self insemination kit

My partner and I pride ourselves on being politically neutral. We engage our children in discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of our two-party system, ensuring we don’t disparage either side. I share that I sometimes align with Democratic views and at other times with Republican ideals, showing them how both perspectives can be valid. We consider ourselves true Independents.

However, this presidential election seems to revolve less around the parties and more around the two figures at their helms. It unfolds in an era where the “information superhighway” is clogged with biased media, sensational headlines, and outright propaganda. Sifting through a mountain of misleading content to uncover facts is frustrating, especially as many people brandish that same misinformation as truth.

My kids are absorbing all of this, naturally. They question why we only have two choices and I explain that third parties struggle to gain traction due to a lack of legislative backing. They wonder how Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump emerged as the nominees and why supporters back each of them. I tell them that many vote strictly along party lines and that personal biases often shape what people perceive as the truth.

I emphasize the importance of seeking reliable, unbiased information when researching candidates. I dismiss blatantly biased outlets like MSNBC, The Huffington Post, Fox News, and Breitbart, and approach slightly less polarized sources with caution. I strive to reference original content and ensure quotes are contextualized before forming opinions. I frequently crosscheck claims on sites like Politifact and Factcheck.org, which aim for neutrality and factual accuracy, even though complete impartiality is tough to achieve.

Through this process, I find it relatively straightforward to explain Hillary to my kids. I share her extensive background: eight years as First Lady, eight years as a U.S. Senator, and four years as Secretary of State. While I’m not particularly thrilled about career politicians, her governmental experience is undeniable.

When my kids ask why some harbor such animosity toward her, I point out the influence of partisanship and societal attitudes toward women in leadership roles. I’ve done my homework on accusations against her, revealing that many are unfounded or exaggerated.

I clarify the events surrounding Benghazi, noting that extensive investigations led by her opponents have failed to uncover any misconduct on her part. I explain the controversy over her supposed lies to victims’ families, emphasizing the lack of solid evidence. I also discuss her infamous quote, “What difference does it make?” explaining it’s often misrepresented to suggest she lacked concern for the incident. I remind them that she has openly accepted responsibility for the embassy’s security.

When my kids question the need for multiple investigations that yielded no new evidence, I agree that it raises valid points. I address the email server controversy, acknowledging legitimate concerns about her judgment while emphasizing that there’s no proof of intentional wrongdoing. I inform them that email security is inherently challenging, and since there’s no direct evidence of a breach of her private server, my worries are limited.

I also explain accusations regarding her accepting money for political favors through the Clinton Foundation. I share that these kinds of claims are typical during elections, and conjecture does not equate to proof. I mention that the Clinton Foundation has received high marks from Charity Watch, with independent analyses showing it allocates a significant portion of its resources to charitable work.

I explain that while Hillary is a typical politician—one who sometimes stretches the truth and avoids direct commitments—decades in politics can lead to contradictions. I remind my kids that in our justice system, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Despite numerous allegations against her, none have been substantiated in any meaningful way, apart from the beliefs of those who already oppose her.

I pose a question to my kids: what does this suggest? I leave it open-ended, but I see it as a glaring indicator that either Hillary Clinton is a masterful villain or she’s endured one of the longest smear campaigns in history. Though I don’t view her as the malevolent figure many portray, I’m not a fan of politicians in general; I believe many are not entirely who they claim to be, and shady dealings are a constant in Washington.

But when it comes to explaining why Donald Trump is the alternative, I find myself at a loss.

My experiences with the business world lead me to be skeptical of businesspeople in politics. Government and business operate on entirely different principles. Just as a racecar driver can’t suddenly fly a plane without any experience, Trump’s lack of governmental experience is concerning.

He often claims he’ll hire the best people, but his track record raises doubts. His first campaign manager was dismissed, and the second faced scrutiny due to ties with Russia. His hiring abilities haven’t impressed me.

I struggle to rationalize how someone who has been sued for racial discrimination and who has made derogatory remarks about various groups can claim to represent such a diverse nation. His behavior—like threatening to hit a critic during a speech—baffles me. My daughter’s incredulous response was, “Why do people like him?” I had no answer.

It’s hard to explain how a reality TV star with a fourth-grade vocabulary is on the verge of leading the free world. I can articulate the mechanics of fear-based demagoguery, yet I can’t grasp why so many Americans seem to embrace it wholeheartedly.

I can rationalize why Hillary is criticized as a liar, despite evidence showing she’s among the more honest candidates. Yet, I can’t understand how those same critics overlook Trump’s more frequent and severe falsehoods. I can analyze his complaints about media bias, but I can’t comprehend the lack of reaction to his own words.

I can detail Hillary’s background using facts and research, but when it comes to Donald Trump? Sorry, kids. I’ve got nothing.

In conclusion, while I can navigate the complexities of political discussions surrounding Hillary Clinton with my kids, explaining the appeal of Donald Trump remains an enigma.

For further information on home insemination, check out this blog post. Additionally, Make A Mom offers excellent resources on home insemination kits, and UCSF’s fertility insurance FAQs can help clarify any questions about fertility coverage.

Summary: In this piece, I discuss the challenges of explaining political figures Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to my children, highlighting the complexities of their legacies and public perceptions. While I can provide a factual and researched perspective on Clinton, I struggle to elucidate the appeal of Trump, whose behavior and lack of political experience are difficult to rationalize.