I would first like to begin by stating that I am a direct product of, what most would consider, a 'conservative' household. My mother was in the Air Force, along with both of my grandparents and my uncle, and my brother was in the Army. Currently I am living in the middle of three Navy bases as my boyfriend is in the Navy and, most of my friends are also Sailors and their wives. I would furthermore like to add, that I know who I am voting for, and nothing anyone says is going to change my mind...I promise. That being said, I am also not trying to change anyone else's mind, because I've found in this election, I would much prefer to save my breath to discuss literally anything else. And despite my seemingly Republican upbringing, I am voting for Hillary this year.

Why? Because I'm allowed to. Because it's my right as an American to vote, and because I can. Just like you can go vote for Trump if you choose. Everyone is entitled to their vote as an American citizen. But here's the thing America...we have GOT to stop hating each other because of who we are voting for.

I have numerous friends on Facebook, who have denounced others because of their political views and their inevitable vote in November. I have seen countless posts making fun of people based on who they are voting for, questioning people's morals and character because of a bubble they are going to shade in, in a few weeks. It's frustrating. Just because the candidates absolutely despise each other, doesn't mean we have to. Isn't that the thing that got us into this mess in the first place? Hating each other?

Look, I'm not here to preach peace and loving each other all the time and all that hippie dippie nonsense, but it's time we started RESPECTING each other, America. We all have different pasts and different stories that make us who we are, that are persuading us to vote for a candidate, and we need to RESPECT each other. When we denounce one another for our political views, it's like we're denouncing their past; that their stories don't matter, that everything that has lead to this moment is wrong.

Now let me tell you a little secret: I could not hate Donald Trump any more than I currently do, it's literally not possible. Trust me, I have my reasons. Every time I see a 'Trump/Pence' bumper sticker, I'm surprised my eyes don't fall out of my eye sockets from them rolling so hard. Here's the conflict though, almost all of my friends down here (including my boyfriend and his family) are voting for Trump. My boyfriend and I (luckily) have an understanding. We both know who we are voting for, and we both think it's stupid, but just because he's a Trump supporter doesn't mean I love him any less. We have a mutual respect for each other and our different political views.

Because isn't that what America stands for? The right to have a different view than your boyfriend or best friend or mother or next door neighbor. When we argue, and we put each other down and act like fourth graders, name calling each other because we support different candidates, that's what is destroying this country. That's what is making our founding father's roll over in their graves. Not that two imperfect people are running for president, but that it is dividing this country.

In less than a month we will have a new President Elect. And long after the election is over, and the bumper stickers are removed and the billboards are taken down, the tensions we feel will still linger, because of how we went about letting out our frustrations. It's time to have a little dignity and class, America. Imagine how other countries must view us, not because of the candidates, but based on how we are treating each other. We have put ourselves against one another and allowed this hostility to divide us.

Need I remind you that our country's full name is the UNITED States of America. Not the DIVIDED AND HATE EACH OTHER States of America. I know it's cliche, but if we can't even have respect for each other, how do we expect other countries to respect us at all.

In short, just remember the golden rule folks: Do unto others as you would want done to you. They taught us that in like first grade, remember?

Xoxo

Me