In a column published in this paper on Oct. 3, written by Michael Glawe, an argument was made against the legitimacy, or perhaps the honesty, of Joni Ernst’s Senate campaign.

Many points were made regarding the adjustment of Ernst’s policies and beliefs for the purpose of appearing more moderate in hopes of attracting more independent voters. While the tactic is obviously despicable, we should not act as though the idea does not spread across party lines.

That is to say, it is not solely a tactic used by Republicans because they are dishonest and have to deceive Americans to be elected to office.

Just as voters should make themselves more aware of Ernst’s true political stances, we should also critically analyze Bruce Braley’s campaign as well as his time in the House of Representatives.

Before I go too much further, I have to admit that due to my social—not my political—beliefs, I already know where my vote will be cast and which side of the aisle it will strengthen. However, I have no intentions of telling you, nor do I plan on recommending a candidate to you.

This election seems to me, as is most often the case, a choice between a kick in the gut and a punch in the face. You don’t really want either one, but you have to make a choice and live with it. My objective is to level the field for students and Iowans in general who are still on the fence regarding which candidate they will support. I don’t care who you vote for as long as you know why you voted for them.

I have never met Bruce Braley, so I cannot and will not speak about his character or his motivations. I have, however, met Joni Ernst. Beyond her political beliefs and aspirations, she seems to be a genuine and caring person. Regardless of my opinions about her political stances, I believe that any decision she would make would be the result of her true values and that it would make life better for Iowans.

The attack ads that have been polluting the airwaves have been particularly aggressive this election cycle, but all they have taught me about Ernst is that she may be beholden to the Koch brothers. While this may be so, I am not willing to accept any type of “holier than thou” argument from Braley. Unfortunately, when considering whether or not a politician owes favors to contributors, the question is not “are you bought and paid for,” but instead, “who signed the check?”

Braley receives 94 percent of his contributions from outside the district that he represents, according to www.maplight.org, an organization that is “revealing money’s influence on politics.” Additionally, 79 percent of those contributions come from outside of the state of Iowa. Basically, this tells voters that organizations from out of state may be more interested in having Braley in office than Iowans are.

Based on information from the same website, Braley’s major contributors are lawyers and law firms. This should not come as a surprise to Iowans, as it was during a fundraising event with lawyers and law groups in Texas that Braley made several comments that were seen as being offensive to Iowan farmers.

Now, there may be worse people to owe a favor and the Koch brothers may be included in that sentiment, but it is important to understand what those groups would ask for—and likely receive—from Braley.

Tort laws, which apply to the majority of civil law suits, are viewed as poorly regulated and in need of change. That change is simply and clearly labeled tort reform. According to the American Tort Reform Association, the changes would bring “greater fairness, predictability, and efficiency to the civil justice system.”

Tort reform laws would do things like limiting the amount of money that can be sought for damages in civil lawsuits as well as limit the ability of citizens to file claims. Braley is categorically opposed to tort reform due to the interests of his contributors and his own former interests, as he was a trial lawyer before he was a United States Representative.

Almost any plaintiff’s lawyer would be opposed to tort reform, as the changes to the law would limit the ability of attorneys to make money, or at least as much money as they currently make off of civil cases.

Much has been made about Braley missing a large percentage of votes related to veterans, a topic of some importance to Ernst, a veteran herself. While Braley has defended himself by citing work he has done to help Iowans returning from war, the subject of Braley’s absence seems to be a point worth making.

According to www.govtrack.us, Braley has missed 4.9 percent of votes in the House of Representatives, nearly double the median percentage of 2.5 percent, which is represents the lifetime percentage for current House members.

I do not know who you should vote for because I do not know you. I do not know how you see the world, this nation, or even this state. I do not believe that there is a wrong choice because I do not believe there is a categorically correct choice. All I can ask is that you do not vote on the basis of red or blue. Know your stance and know your candidate. Please make your vote an educated one.