Turning 18 means a lot of things: you're finally old enough to get into bars, buy tobacco products, and vote. I had to wait for a little over a year to participate in a nation-wide election. I paid attention to what each candidate stood for, watched each debate, and tried to keep an open mind as the choices became more narrow.
1) People Like to Argue About Politics
No matter what party you most align with, there is someone else out there who thinks the exact opposite of you. If you like to share political articles or videos on social media, you will quickly find out who those people are. You may even agree on most political views, but still butt heads. People get their feelings hurt far too easily over the small things.
2) Others May Try to Change Your Mind
How can you support Clinton when she is okay with late-term abortions? How dare you support Trump when he is such a racist, misogynist, obnoxious child! So you're going to vote third-party and waste your vote? My favorite is when people would assume I was for one candidate simply because I would openly disapprove of the other. Let's be real everyone, none of the candidates were worth bragging about supporting.
3) Most People Follow Their Parents' Choice
One of the most frustrating parts about being informed of each candidate's respective plans for the nation was hearing a peer speak ignorance. Please don't vote for a candidate just because your parents have a sign with their name staked in the front yard. Figure out what you are for and against, how each potential president can make things better, and choose whoever that may be. You're old enough to figure it out on your own now.
4) The Vast Majority Gets All Info from Social Media
I cannot tell you how many people will believe anything if they read/see/hear it on Facebook. "Clinton will allow full-term babies to be aborted!" Actually, those abortions happen in order to save the mother's life and are incredibly rare. "Trump is going to deport everyone who isn't white!" Come on now... Legal and illegal immigrants are two very different things.
5) The Electoral Vote is Stupid
This is just my opinion, but the electoral vote is a bit contradictory. Voters are urged to be involved in voting because it makes a difference. Although our votes are put into consideration by the electoral voters, it doesn't really sway anything. Voting against a state's selected party is looked down upon, to the point of being fined depending where you live. The electoral voters must take into account that losing their job due to choosing the "wrong" name is a real possibility - even though it legally shouldn't be.
6) Stand Up for Your Beliefs
This election stirred up a lot of hateful feelings in many people across the nation. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that will never justify tearing down someone else for having different views than your own. Criticizing someone for actually caring about the future of our nation is ignorant. Voting for someone you do not believe in is unconstitutional. Regardless of who becomes the next president, we all must make an effort to fight for what is right in a peaceful manner. If not, those who fought and fight for our freedom have sacrificed for nothing.
