Not that this election needs an elaboration on its issues as it already has enough. But what is a feminist and independent-thinker to do in terms of choosing?

To go with a crazy business person with a noted list of disrespect to women, with an added visual representation to boot. Or a known wishy-washy politician who seems to go where the tide takes her, (aka pandering to voters), along with her known mishandling of top-secret information

I tried to remain as unbiased and neutral in my stances when contemplating this piece. Not that either candidate has made it difficult for me to do so. I just ask for everyone to keep an open-mind and not blindly follow any candidates. This goes for presidential or otherwise.

The truth of the matter is, this election has made it particularly difficult for anyone to decipher true intent and compassion for issues. And at the end of the day, do you go for the issues and stances, or who would make an overall better leader?

The truth of the matter is, you shouldn't have to pick and choose. We should be well-represented on the issue spectrum as well as in a business sense. Which neither candidate has been able to wholly offer as of yet.

I know I'll probably receive a slew of comments condemning anything I say on either side. Which makes it even easier to remain neutral at this point.

Let's start off with this "locker room talk" nonsense. Why so complacent in response? I heard an apology, but no affirmation of true compassion for the women that were objectified as if everyday rugs on the floor for you to walk over.

I got an interesting question resounded in my ear during the recent presidential debate with the notion of, "Well, what do you expect him to do?"

I expect people to take responsibility for their actions. If it truly is "everyday locker room talk," as you say, DO something about it. Sitting back and accepting it does not solve the problem, it actually enables the action that it represents. Which is even more dangerous. Just think of this: Do you want your little boys to grow up with the notion that it is okay to speak about women as their lesser? Just contemplate that.

On the other side, it is not acceptable for anyone to retaliate with, "Well, it'll happen anyway." Growing up as a tomboy, I experienced "locker room talk" firsthand. I was essentially "one of the boys." It didn't make me feel any more comfortable and I became attuned with the idea of telling guys around me that it was okay to say those things, so they would continue to talk to me and be my friend. It was not until I got a little older that I realized that it was wrong and I was perpetuating a dangerous ideology. It was seemingly okay, because I felt that I was "liked" by my male counterparts. After all, they were talking about my female classmates, not me. Little did I know, they were having their own "locker room" chats about me, just without my knowledge.

I do not think this would be as troubling if this was the first occurrence. But Trump has been noted on several occasions for being openly disrespectful to women. Which is truly sad as he has a wife and two daughters. I get the idea of "telling it how it is," but that goes within a certain extent. Apologizing is not going to solve problems, actually fixing the issue and trying to better the temperament you have with them will. Start treating them like, oh you know, regular human beings.

A woman should not be judged or viewed primarily on her looks. You can observe beauty in everyone, and I understand that it is the first thing you see. But it should not be the ONLY thing you see. Try to look a little deeper and treating them with respect. I also realize he has worked with women throughout his time in business and otherwise. I disagree with his view of prioritizing looks of women over the other talents they have to offer. Do not even get me started on double standards in our society.

I know we all have said or done things in the past that we regret. When you are running for president, these regrets can get plastered for the whole public to see and you have to be able to respond. The appropriate response would have been to take concerns of the other side seriously, apologize for wrongdoing, and embodying the sincerity through continued actions.

Not only did the apology come off as insincere, it was ignored with the actions of the debate. I really wanted to believe he was sorry. I did. When he talked over his opponent and the moderator, all I saw was disrespect and insincerity. I witnessed both sides started to blab over the other, but it primarily began with Trump. He was trying to assert his dominance, as many politicians do. The troubling side to this is that it showed lack of temperance and insincerity to the comments that he previously displayed.

Let's get to the other side of the coin. I know I am likely to receive a slew of disagreement for this one, which I accept. As long as it is a healthy discussion. I've learned a lot from both sides as an independent thinker, after all.

I find it troubling that there are people in our society that believe that I should support a politician just because they happen to be female (https://www.theodysseyonline.com/refusing-vote-for...). If I disagree with their views, why should I have to vote for them? In this case, I can agree on a few views, but I have my own thoughts on other issues. Which is fine, and should be encouraged. But when you place anyone in a box, you are limiting their thoughts and you are limiting healthy discussion. I thrive on discussion, I think it is healthy to have discussion with other people that do not think like me, or have had very different experiences than I have had. That is how we all grow. But do not limit my choices based primarily on the gender that I happen to identify with.

I will always support women as beautiful and intellectual beings. When it comes to business or politics, however, I will choose the better candidate to fit the needs of the country. As it should be. I really resent being told that I do not care about women if I do not choose to vote for a woman who happens to think differently about certain issues than I do.

You knew this part was coming: Another issue I have is women that remain in situations when they know their partner is not treating them fairly. By fair, I mean staying loyal to them. And people may use the argument of, "Oh, that was over a decade ago." So were the remarks made by Trump. Does not make either side right.

I tried to contemplate whether or not this was even an issue to bring up. But it is an issue, because it became a known fact that her husband was not loyal. And loyalty is huge for me. That would be a huge deal breaker in a marriage for me. I have never cheated on a single person and I expect the same respect from my partner. And that is what it comes down to for me; it shows lack of respect. To allow someone to openly and publicly disrespect you as such a powerful woman, you are not doing yourself or women in society any favors. And I know the other side of the token on this: "You shouldn't fault Hillary for things that her husband has done." There is so much fault in this statement. You have accepted the notion that a man is allowed to openly disrespect you with no consequence. I know marriage is a tricky thing that I have yet to understand; however, I expect to treat it very seriously and will not stand for unfair treatment or disrespect.

Which leads me to the next issue I have with this side of the campaign. The other side has been knocked for doing things in the past; however, it is a known thing that Hillary supported segregationist Barry Goldwater. She also continues to pander her vote to black voters and has been called out several times for doing so (as evidenced by #IguessImwithher). I would be a hypocrite if I supported females and not other marginalized groups. It just does not do much for me empathizing with the criticism she has faced for not seeming sincere in her intent.

I want to support a candidate as wholly as possible. Which I know is unrealistic. It doesn't mean that I can't hold politicians to a higher standard, especially those running for the highest office in the country.

I could go on and on about this. For now, just know that I am in absolute limbo right now as far as my options go. As always, you are allowed to disagree with me, respectfully so. I am always open to discussion, as long as it is healthy. :)