Politics. It seems like everywhere you go now, something always has to do with politics. Maybe you see a magazine with Hillary Clinton’s face on it while waiting in line at the super market or maybe you see a bumper sticker with the words “Make America Great Again” while you are on your way to work. The 2016 presidential election is everywhere and no matter where you go it seems unavoidable. As the election grows closer, it has become a hot topic of conversation which I am sure has been the source of many arguments. While some are inevitable, most political arguments can be avoided with one simple idea; to be educated.
Education is the key to preventing any form of argument especially when it comes to politics. We all know that one person who voted for Trump just because they wanted to or that one person who is voting for Hillary just because she is a woman. While those ideas can be additional reasons for voting for said candidate, you need more! You need to justify why you are voting for said candidate and reasons why you are not voting for the other. If you are able to justify your political views and decisions, then people with opposing views will have very little to complain about. More often than not, they will respect you for having knowledge about current political issues and they may even thank you for teaching them a thing or two. The worst thing you could do is voice your political stance and have no reasoning to back you up.
The second worst thing you could do in regards to your political stance is not to have one at all. Who gets elected into office does have a direct effect on your life. So it is your mission to find a candidate who aligns with your views and support them in any way that you can. Granted, you most likely will not find a candidate who aligns with all of your views, but even if they only align with a few, then that is a few more than the other candidate does. Once you find your candidate, do not be afraid to voice your choice. Wear your decision with pride (and I do mean this figuratively and literally). Your political views define who you are as a person so it is important to have one.
Within my first time of meeting someone, I usually ask about their political stances because it effects how I view them. It lets me know whether or not I should mention certain people or any controversial issues and whether or not we are going to agree on certain topics. I am a person who is very open about my political views even if they are different from most people around me.
I am a conservative republican in a sea of blue and I have no problem showing or talking about it. I wear my Trump merchandise with pride and out of all the people I have encountered, very few have had a problem with it because I am able to justify my political stance. The same goes for myself when I encounter someone with opposing views. As long as they are able to justify why, I am OK with their choices and I will not try to push my own views onto them.
It is important to be involved in current issues, especially issues that are going to affect you like a presidential election does. You need to find a view or stance on the issues and be proud of your decision. If you don’t know where you stand, then maybe become more educated about the issue or talk to someone and see if they can help you make a decision. The ball is in your court and it is your decision whether to be involved and informed or whether to be left in the dark.
