From current event to current event one opens their eyes to what they are capable of in our powerful world; at times we feel subjected by our age, our race, our beliefs and thus powerless to a society meant to protect the minority but is decided by the majority, however, I suggest that regardless of our conditions we find space to make change.
We find loopholes in the system that isn't always working to our benefit. I recently watched the Presidential Debates and saw two candidates, not a criminal, not a racist, but two candidates who in the end are running to help the US in their own separate ways. As a liberal democrat, I am not going to throw out biases or tell you what to believe, but I do want to dismiss the claim that America is "doomed" regardless of our choice and thus we should not vote or be informed.
Many people who argue that each candidate is diabolical and destructive for America simply does not look past the internet gossip. Are they flawed? Of course. Are they everyone's cup of tea? Not in the slightest. As electorates we must not focus on the candidates but we must look at their policies and how they plan to help America. The media portrays this election as choosing a person rather than a policy and by doing so making an election that no one wants to contribute in. This election is far beyond Donald Trump's hair or attitude as it is beyond Hillary Clinton's health, husband, or appearance.
Are factors such as one's sexism, one's ability to be trustworthy, and one's honesty important? I sure hope they are to you as they are to me, but I urge you to look beyond the candidate in your vote. See a candidate not only as their external features but they internal traits and their plans to serve you. I ask you to exercise your right to power and to vote for a policy and to vote for a person who can improve your life in the US, not a candidate who is "the better of two evils" but a candidate who is going to work to better your life.
A democracy cannot function if we refuse to participate in it; we cannot blame the government if we fail to act in it. By surrendering your vote, you are increasing the power of a vote you do not agree with. Why waste time complaining about you options when you can explore them, debate them, and refine them? Women went against social norms and put a long lasting target on their backs in order to vote. African Americans rallied, risked, and lost their lives to vote. And now we want to surrender our votes to a system that we argue fails to support us but we have no interest in changing? There are real flaws in our judicial system, our foreign policy, our perception on amendment and human rights, our minimum and equal pay, and our national debt, but if you fail to educate yourself, to find your voice, and to exercise your right to power, how can any change be made?
As JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." Whether you side with her or you think he can make America "great again," remember that it is you with the power to enact change.
