We get it. Both the Republican and Democratic parties have produced two equally awful candidates –– both potential national security threats and both habitual liars and people-pleasers. I think most of us have given up on the idea of any president being remotely revolutionary. At this point, the consensus is that we just want a president who won't get us blown off the map, and I must say, I trust Hillary Clinton more in that regard.
Now, the way to convince more people to vote in Clinton's favor is not to guilt women into it. I think the only two arguments in Clinton's favor are 1) she's not Trump and 2) she's a woman. This is all well and good, but if these are the only two reasons to support the future leader of the free world, we've come to a dark place. Third parties are being taken more seriously as the years go on, yet people want to believe in the false dichotomy of Trump versus Clinton.
What are either candidate's platform? Do you really trust them, or do you only trust the other candidate less? Is making history important enough to you that you'll disregard the sins of their pasts? Hardcore left-wingers will claim that critics are attacking Hillary Clinton because she is a woman (which is incredibly untrue) and will completely disregard her role in Benghazi, her emails that posed a national security threat, and her privilege with the DNC. This election is no longer about fighting the establishment, it's about settling.
Look, if your conviction is so strong about keeping Donald Trump out of the White House, that's totally fine. But I will refuse to watch people get bullied and harassed, told they're betraying their gender or don't care about women's issues, if it weighs on their conscience to vote for Hillary Clinton. I urge all eligible voters to look over platforms, weigh inconsistencies, and make an informed decision before going to the polls.
Talking about politics ad nauseum is getting old. The "Brexit" earlier this year was proof that the popular vote can absolutely lead to regret. The United States of America is torn over who they want to lead this country (though in the end, it doesn't completely matter when you factor in the Electoral College). If you strongly believe that Donald Trump is the change we need, vote for him. If Hillary Clinton will keep our country stable, vote for her. If a third-party candidate, whether Gary Johnson or Jill Stein, is the right person to break the two-party system, vote for them. Do not, however, get personal and assassinate the character of those who vote with a clear conscience - they may not be much different from you, and are only doing what they believe is necessary to uphold our democracy.
