In the United States today, politics do more separating than unifying. We are more willing to turn away those who do not agree with our ideals than greet differences with open arms. The "united" in our name is falling but we see nothing wrong with what we are doing.

To have such contrasting sides and to view politics as black and white is the downfall in which divides so many. Many Americans are affected by family members, close friends, and TV, but somehow are not influenced by their own beliefs. To pressure one into believing what you do seems to be more and more common each day.

Having been raised by my parents without pressure to choose one side or the other is something I am forever grateful for.

It was never a political discussion at the dinner table; it was more of talking about why things happen and how I felt in response to them. I was allowed to shape my own values and beliefs and my parents never stopped me from choosing what I wanted to think.

When I turned 18 and it was time to register to vote, I registered as an independent. Now, please don't think of independent as negative, think of it as something positive. I am more apt to vote on someone who I think has the right morals and will act upon them rather than choosing a horrible candidate just because my party says so.

But that's just me and how I was raised, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

So, thank you to my parents for not enforcing their beliefs on me, because we need more parents like this in the world today.