When your television becomes inundated with suits standing in fields talking about how much they’ll fight for you, it can only mean one thing. It’s time to vote! Once again Americans are engaging in one of our most beautiful, yet frustrating, duties as citizens.
I’ve written about voting previously because lawmakers impact our wallet. CNBC is still my favorite for election coverage because they typically interview both sides. Of course, politicians gladly do interviews. Both parties proudly crow about their ideas, which somehow never become reality, while criticizing their opponents.
The funny thing about elections and your portfolio is that markets typically prefer to have nothing happen in politics. Investing is about the future. If Congress is divided, we can assume policies won’t change very much, so the markets can calm down after the election. At least until there’s another outside event, such as war.
Understanding market reactions is the first step to financial independence. We take away the power of politicians, and the stress they cause, when we have enough wealth for financial independence. Your vote should be decided by your belief in the candidate, not a financial life decision.
Have you noticed how every election is “for the soul of America?”
Each candidate swears they will fight for you. How much has your life really changed after elections? I’ll bet it hasn’t changed too much, which is why I find politicians so frustrating.
I hate how they promise us the world, but they spend most of their time in office campaigning for reelection. Campaign season seems to be the only time they actually help each other. Imagine if they did that throughout their terms.
Donald Trump is constantly traveling to rallies showing support for other Republicans. Yes, he can run the country from Air Force One, but I would rather see those in political office devote their entire time to their position. We are paying them to work, right?
If politicians actually worked together, then maybe each election wouldn’t “make or break” our country.
Politicians should collaborate, not enter the position ready for a fight.
Here is a wild idea. Politicians shouldn’t be fighting at all. The fighting between parties makes good television, but it’s not productive.
When a campaign ad says, “Elect me and I will stop the left (or right) from…” I immediately zone out. Why would I want to pay and support someone who tells me they want to make sure nothing happens? Would employees in any other job be able to get away with that?
I would love to see politicians treat their time in office like a marriage. Democrats and Republicans (the parents) should work together for the best interests of American citizens (the children). Politicians can have different beliefs, but all constituents need to be represented.
Spouses rarely agree on every decision. If you’re married, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you’re single, like me, then you can remember your parents’ loud discussions.
I never doubted my parents’ love for me. Yes, they had arguments just like every other couple. However, no matter how much our parents disagreed, my sisters and I knew that their decisions were made for our best interests.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if our politicians could do the same? Honestly, I don’t believe politicians make their decisions based on the best interests of their constituents. Isn’t that in the job description?
Political parties are not college football teams.
Watching college football on fall Saturdays is one of my favorite things. My dad took me to NC State games as a child and I was
hooked. Watching your favorite team defeat their rival never gets old.
However, on Monday, we all go back to work or school, interacting with people who love your hated rival. Many of my dearest friends like those blue schools that shall not be named. My life is better because they are in it even though we don’t like the same team.
I’m sure you can relate in your own life because that’s how society is supposed to act. Unfortunately, politicians have difficulty interacting with their rivals. Maybe they should line up against each other on the gridiron each Saturday. I would definitely watch that!
Football is entertainment, our government isn’t.
Television interviews are great theater. Humans love drama. Why else do we have 384 different versions of Law & Order? Scooby Doo is basically the animated version if you want to try something different.
Unfortunately, political debates and interviews have replaced talk shows. We sit on the edge of our seats waiting to see who gets caught having an affair or who embezzles funds. No, it’s not the “Who’s the father” trashy talk show, but it’s getting close!
In North Carolina Senate race, one candidate, Roy Cooper, has been in politics for 40 years. He served two terms as our governor. On the other side, Michael Whatley has more experience behind the scenes and hasn’t run for political office.
Apparently, Whatley was a lobbyist who made a lot of money, according to his opponent’s commercials. The ads also say he hired a child molester, which is never good. We really have some great choices, huh?
More than the false promises, it hurts my soul to see the money wasted on election campaigns.
As of October 14, 2026, Roy Cooper’s campaign has raised $49.5 million. His opponent, Michael Whatley, raised $13.7 million. A total of $63.2 million was taken from already struggling citizens.
The other highly promoted campaign is between Laurie Buckhout and Don Davis for the House of Representatives. As of October 14, 2026, Buckhout’s campaign raised $4.8 million. Her opponent, Don Davis, raised $5.8 million. A total of $10.6 million taken from citizens.
That winner will represent a rural area. I’ve lived in eastern North Carolina for 40 of my 44 years. The farmers I know would rather put diesel fuel in their equipment, so they can harvest their crops, feed their family, and help our local economy.
We don’t care how much money you’ve raised. In fact, you’ll probably hear some colorful language if you ask us to contribute to your campaign. Yes, we care about who represents us, but these negative campaigns are missing the mark.
Most of us still know very little about the candidates after these marketing campaigns. They’re constantly telling us how evil their opponent is, but they haven’t told us anything about themselves. That campaign strategy didn’t work for Hillary Clinton against Donald Trump and it won’t work again. Maybe one day campaign managers will learn to pivot.
Let’s talk a little about the election’s impact on money before you go.
Remember, the stock market enjoys calm. Imagine you’re on a boat fishing. The pond is so calm it looks like glass. The only ripples are when your lure hits the water or a fish takes the bait. That’s my kind of market!
Volatile markets are more like deep-sea fishing in choppy water. After catching a Blue Marlin, you think you’re the best fisherman in the world. You’ll be chasing that high for the rest of your life.
When you invest, the rush of high returns can be just as addictive. You’ll always be chasing that feeling. If you want high rewards, then you have to take big risks, right?
The best investors understand that market volatility caused by outside noise, such as elections, is just a piece of the puzzle. Markets will rise and fall. Veteran investors know how to use that volatility to their advantage.
History rarely repeats itself, but it often rhymes.
Vanguard recently sent me a presentation showing market history during election season. I won’t bore you with the data, but feel free to email me if you want to see the slides. It shows that market volatility is typical before an election.
Furthermore, Frances E. Lee’s article in last week’s Economist noted that the sitting president’s party has lost power during the midterm elections 20 out of 22 times since 1938. She also said this happened during Donald Trump’s first term in 2018.
The bottom line is that political noise usually makes the markets move, but it doesn’t last. There will be other outside influences causing short term volatility. We cannot avoid these events, but we can use them to our advantage with a diversified portfolio being invested in a long-term plan. Email me!
