Dear Bernie Sanders,

When I was a senior in High School we had volunteers come into our history class and help us register to vote. According to New York state, I am a registered Republican. Now, maybe that's because I grew up with Republican parents or maybe it’s because as a senior in High School, I wasn't too concerned with politics. At this time in my life, I was convinced that even if I voted I was never going to have a voice and that I was never going to make a difference; so I never gave much thought into what I was registering as. I was discouraged and apathetic towards politics as a whole, as were most of the students in my Participation in Government class, as well as most people my age and of my generation. Now this is definitely a broad claim, but it never seemed to me that people of my generation were enthusiastic about politics. It seemed as though we found ourselves separate from the workings of the government. Which makes sense considering the scarcity of conversations that directly impacted us in our teen years.

Until you.

So now, as a junior in college, I am still a registered republican. But that will not stop me from saying; Thank you, Mr.Sanders. Thank you for exciting the younger generation and getting them involved in politics. Thank you, for giving a voice to the people who did not feel they had one. Thank you for bringing issues to light that many politicians just sweep under the rug.

Though I do not necessarily agree with your viewpoint on every issue, I love that you have made these issues into discussion points. I think that is something we can all agree on. Politics usually divides us and turns us against one another. However, I think we must give you credit where it is due Mr. Sanders. You said it yourself; “One of the reasons our campaign is doing so well is that we are discussing the real issues that are facing the American people, something that most politicians and the media just don’t do.” Sadly, that statement is true. The American media has truly turned the presidential race into a popularity contest. Even though it’s obvious that the person most liked will win, it seems as though they are liked for superficial reasons. Rather than be concerned with what a person stands for and the true platform of their campaign, we talk about a candidate's bad hair, and make only the negative things go viral. So thank you again, Mr. Sanders. Thank you for being the honest candidate America needs, and pointing out the games our media plays. Thank you for being above those games and trying not to get involved.

Though I am well aware that many people disagree with where you side on many issues, I do not think anyone can disagree with WHAT you stand for. You are exactly what the youth of America needs right now. You are who they need to inspire and motivate them to be productive and active citizens. You stand for honesty and integrity and all of the things that have been lacking in politics for quite some time now.

I wish you luck in the primaries Mr. Sanders. And one last time I will say thank you, for being exactly the person America needs right now. Even if you do not become our next president, know that you have made a difference by exciting and involving the generation of millennials who have been too disheartened to care.