I can speak for nearly everyone when I say that I've heard plenty about the upcoming election; however, I might as well add my two cents into the hundreds of dollars' worth of opinions circulating the Internet regarding D-Day, also known as November 8, 2016. If any readers don't know what election I'm talking about, all they need to do is drive through their neighborhood and read the political signs that are posted in what seems like everyone's yards (at least in Nevada, Missouri). Last night, as I was doing just that--driving through town and noticing all the political signs, that is--I realized just what this election reminded me of. The election reminded me of day old donuts; that may sound rather strange, but there are multiple comparisons to be made.
1. Like day old donuts, the election is getting stale.
As previously mentioned, the election is everywhere. From yard signs to the nightly news, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have become the most popular people in America at the moment; while they are not necessarily the most well-liked people in America, they are certainly at the forefront of news coverage and conversations. Almost daily, the news seems to bring up a new game of he-said-she-said, old accusations, current arguments, outrageous sound bites, and reasons why one candidate or the other is unfit to be President (reasons that may or may not be true). Because the candidates and the elections are so over-discussed and under-substantiated, many people are getting sick of them--I know I am--and like day old donuts, the elections are getting old.
2. It is also full of holes.
More than any election I can remember (of which there admittedly aren't many), this election is severely lacking substantiation. The news coverage I've seen of the election is largely ignoring the candidates' stance on issues; instead, coverage focuses on accusations, the candidates' arguments with each other, and the ridiculous reasons why they are not fit for the Presidency. I absolutely believe in knowing the candidates' past, as the past can play a part in the present, but I, for one, am more concerned with how they will affect the future if elected. It becomes infinitely harder to know how the candidates will affect America if their views on issues and plans for the future are not accurately covered by the media.
Of course, I can research the candidates' platforms elsewhere, and I do, but for other voters who may not know where to find the candidates' platforms, they are left to vote based on spotty media coverage of the candidates' stances. There are always the Presidential debates, meant to showcase the differences in the candidates' plans and views, but this year, the debates have quickly devolved--on both sides of the stage--into name-calling and the dredging up of past incidents rather than remaining on the issues. Unfortunately, like a donut, there are many, many holes in this election regarding both candidates' ideas for their future Americas.
3. Nobody really wants day old donuts...or the candidates.
Never before has there been an election where both candidates were so hated. Trump is hated. Clinton is hated. Members of their own parties hate them. However, America has to choose one. It will be fascinating to see how the American public responds to the new President; it will also be interesting to see how effective their Presidency ultimately is, due to the divisions the candidates have created in their own parties. The fact that Congress can and may very well block the new President's agenda during their time in office is a comfort, as well as the fact that the President only has four years to ruin the country unless America chooses to reelect them.
4. Day old donuts bring out the worst in people. So does the election.
I feel as though I should preface this. Where I'm from, most Krispy Kreme locations leave their day old donuts boxed up in the dumpsters behind their building. As the donuts are packaged before being thrown in the trash, people often come and take the boxes filled with slightly stale treats for free. The company typically does little, if anything, to stop them. I have observed many an argument over those boxes.
The election also tends to cause arguments. Whenever the election comes up, discussions seem to quickly become heated, at least the discussions I have observed. The candidates are so polarizing that people can't seem to take a spot in the middle. People are for one candidate and passionately against the other. Families and friends bicker and pout over their loved one's vote. I have seen Facebook posts warning friends that they will no longer be considered friends if they vote for so-and-so. Hatred and passion are so extreme regarding this election that riots have happened at Trump's rallies. People no longer act like themselves when the election comes up; if only it were a box of free, stale donuts instead of America's future hanging in the balance.
5. Day old donuts still taste like donuts. No matter what happens with the election, America will remain America
Due to the polarizing nature of the election, people tend to grow dramatic in regards to the country's future if either candidate is elected. However, it is worth remembering that America will not cease to exist if either candidate is elected; even if the candidate I plan to vote for loses, the country will survive. Likewise, a day old donut will still taste like a donut. It won't cease to be a donut, nor will it lose it sweetness after a day. I think that people need to remember life will go on no matter which candidate wins. The country will change, yes. No matter who is elected, the country will change. However, people can still choose to be happy; whatever happens, will happen, and it does no one any good to remain bitter.
As a first time voter, the election is not ideal. I see plenty of problems with both candidates. I can't support either of them fully. I have made a choice. My method for that choice was to vote based on the candidates' standings on issues according to my morals. Yes, I am aware that neither candidate has a stellar moral record; however, I still found myself able to vote my morals. However you, reader, choose to vote is up to you. Whatever method you use and whoever you pick is up to you. But remember, no matter how hopeless the election looks, there is still sweetness to be found--just like a day old donut.
