Whether you're feeling the Bern, getting ready for Hillary, making America great again or telling it like it is, there is no denying that the 2016 presidential election cycle has been a wild ride. If you're as lost as I am, you've probably been having some similar thoughts.
1. If you insult New York, New York will fight you back.
2. Do I actually like Hillary Clinton or do I just like Kate McKinnon's impression of her on Saturday Night Live?
3. Also, can Kate McKinnon just be president?
4. Because apparently you don't need any experience in government for people to support you anyway.
Real estate mogul and reality television personality Donald Trump announced his candidacy on June 16th. His lack of experience in government led to skepticism about how far he would make it, but The Donald is still going strong. Say what you want about Trump, but it is certainly fascinating to watch an outsider shake things up. After all, Trump has nothing to lose from being outrageous and calling out fellow Republicans--because he's not a political official.
5. Do I really feel the Bern or do I just feel obligated to because most of my friends like Bernie Sanders?
The Vermont senator is certainly appealing to Americans as a candidate that fights for society's underdogs.
6. Remember that time Martin Shkreli donated to Sanders' campaign and he donated all the money to a health clinic?
That might have been the best moment of the presidential elections so far. I actually screamed when I first read the headline. Shkreli is known for hiking the price of an HIV drug from $13.50 to $750. Yes, you read that right: not seven dollars and fifty cents - seven-hundred and fifty dollars. He was eventually arrested by the FBI for fraud and conspiracy.
7. We kind of overlooked Martin O'Malley and that's sad because he is a pretty solid candidate for the Democratic Party.
The former Baltimore mayor and Governor of Maryland has been low in the polls, but he's still a true MVP. Crimes in Baltimore declined during his term as mayor. As governor, he legalized same-sex marriage, passed gun-control legislation and eliminated the death penalty. Oh yeah, and he plays the guitar (and sometimes the banjo) in a rock band.
8. If people have time to sign petitions to ban Donald Trump from other countries, spam my Facebook timeline with political posts, and send boxes of dildos to Oregon militants, then they better be taking time to vote at the primaries.
Low voter turnout and political apathy are an epidemic. Not as life-threatening as ebola, but equally scary.
9. "The Official Donald Trump Jam" is one of the most bizarre things ever.
But it's also kind of my new workout jam on the low. Fiercely free, am I right? #Ameritude.
10. Wait a second, Ted Cruz is from Canada???
No worries, Cruz supporters. He may have been born in Alberta, but Cruz's mother is an American citizen, so Ted is a citizen of the United States.
11. Marco Rubio's boots were so on point.
12. I'm kind of going to miss Michelle Obama. And the girls. And maybe Barack too.
Mistakes aside, Obama made some great strides in his two terms as president. And look at this adorable family.
13. But most of all, I am going to miss those puppies.
14. If these are the people who want to run our country for the next four years, I don't know how to feel.
15. What's the best country to move to?
Apparently, Colombia was ranked the happiest nation in the world. Is that true? I might find out sooner than I think.
16. I hate politics but I also love politics sometimes.
We've all heard that there are two topics you should never discuss at a dinner table: politics and religion. Although heated discussions can be fascinating, I'm more of an observer: I watch everyone else argue and share the occasional article from Politico or The New York Times when I'm in the mood. I avoid debating with friends and family unless I know a lot about an issue. But politics can be fun sometimes, especially during elections. Think of all the Saturday Night Live skits...
Don't forget to vote!
