Try watching TV for half an hour without a political advertisement coming up at least once (assuming you aren’t watching Nickelodeon or Disney Channel). It’s not likely to happen. What do most of these political advertisements contain? Jabs and shots at the other candidate about how they aren’t right for the country and their troubled past. It makes you want to pull your hair out, doesn’t it? I feel like this year’s presidential election is about trying to pick the lesser of the two evils. It’s not even about policies anymore; people are basing arguments off of which one of the candidates has done the least amount of wrong. To be completely candid with you, I think both candidates are terrible.

Right now, I see our country divided. Anywhere you go you will see political jargon (Facebook, Twitter, on bumpers, laptop cases, etc.) It’s everywhere. Whether you are for a certain candidate or not is completely your opinion. I feel that we as people of the United States have gotten to a point where if we don’t like someone’s opinion we try to force our own opinion onto them until they agree with us or we create conflict. I’m sure you have seen your fair share of political Facebook arguments over the past year or so and although it may be quite entertaining, most times there is nothing constructive that comes out of these particular arguments. Friendships are tarnished and people become enemies and as a result, you may find yourself only being surrounded by people that think the same way you do. Although this may not seem like a bad thing, it’s good to have people in your life that bring things into question. If we don’t have opposing views on certain topics, then we all become like-minded individuals who ultimately cannot think for themselves. I am not saying that you always have to agree with everyone, but you do have to value other people’s opinions and take some time to think about them. Someone may shed light on something you haven’t thought about before.

Another thing that I would like to touch upon is the violence that this election has created. It needs to stop. There is no point in vandalizing someone else’s property because you don’t agree with their political views. What’s the sense in doing that? The people’s property that you wrecked aren’t going to have a sudden “aha” moment because you took down their sign, or spray-painted your candidates name in their front lawn. Act civil. What kind of example are we setting for future generations if we resort to violence or acts of hatred towards one another when things don’t go our way?

Although this may have not been the most heart-warming article, I want you to take some time to process it and keep it in mind the next time you encounter someone with a different opinion than you. It doesn’t have to be a political opinion either, because when it comes to sports teams, things can get heated as well. A Packers or Vikings debate has been known to end marriages. All that I ask is that we look out for one another and respect each other’s opinions, even if we don’t agree with them necessarily. With election day coming up soon, whoever the heck our nation decides to elect as our next Commander-In-Chief, it’s not going to be the end of the world...maybe.