It isn’t news to any of us at this point that the upcoming 2016 presidential election will be one for the books. As one of the most controversial candidacies furthers, countless propaganda continues to surface as America tries to differentiate who is the best fit as the future leader of our great country.
Yet with this controversy comes hesitance. I have heard a lot of millennials begin to declare that they will not be voting in the 2016 presidential election due to the difficult decision they do not think they can make and keep their peace of mind. However, when it comes to this election, this race, this specific year, that should not be the case. We are growing up; the power has been bestowed upon us, and it is our time to make our own decision as adults.
First of all, I’d like to applaud any and all millennials who have taken the time to read, research, and form their own unbiased opinion when it comes to this election. Nowadays it is hard to do so, especially considering the issues our country is facing such as the ever-present equality debates and economic concerns. It is important for us millennials to remember that this pertains to us just as much as any other generation, if not more. We are the largest generation in the country; there are over 80 million people that make up the millennial generation alone. For the first time, we are larger than the Baby Boomer generation. We are the ones who can make a significant difference in this election.
So, millennials, pay attention.
One of these candidates will be your future president. One of these candidates will be a deciding factor in how much taxes will be taken from each of your paychecks, how we eliminate our countries’ debt, how you pay back your student loans, and what we as a nation will do regarding impending threats abroad. As Americans, we are giving our trust to this candidate, to insure our country’s best interests, and to be the face of our great country.
One thing we need to remember when discussing our political preferences is that everyone has the right to an opinion. Everyday I see countless social media posts, articles, and websites bashing one political opinion after the other, fighting each other as if an attempt to change one another’s mind, or talking down to them as if one opinion is superior to the other.
Speaking both personally and honestly, I cannot say I’ve never done this. We’ve all gotten caught up in the moment and wanted to put our two cents into the conversation, but it is important to absorb every angle of the argument in order to develop a full, concise opinion. This way, you are fully aware of every alternative angle an idea or proposition can make. That’s something we have to remember: listening to all sides is the only way we can really understand every candidate and what they stand for.
I see a lot of people using social media as a platform for their political debate, and although I understand how that could be irritating or bothersome to some, I have to say I disagree. There is no doubt that our society (sparked by our generation) has become dependent upon social media and uses it as a main source of communication, as well as a predominant platform for receiving news and current events. Look at it through every positive and negative angle you want, but you cannot deny that it is a great and important resource for consuming information. If social media is the way a specific individual chooses to research and learn about this upcoming election, so be it.
Voting is your right. Take advantage of it, because each individual voice matters and makes a difference. Whether you value Donald Trump’s financial expertise, Bernie Sander’s dedication to equality, Hilary Clinton’s years of political experience; it does not matter. Your opinion is your opinion and you are allowed to have it. That is what makes America great. It gives us the opportunity to be free with our beliefs and ourselves. That in itself should be your reason to vote, to help maintain your freedom of speech. We are in the middle of one of the most difficult, controversial, and crucial times our country has ever seen, and we need the strongest, most dependable candidate to see us through.
Not sure where to begin? Take this quiz to find your 2016 candidate match: https://www.isidewith.com/elections/2016-president...
It doesn’t matter who you vote for, as long as you vote. Remember, everyone’s vote counts.
