I have a rule that I follow quite strictly - never discuss politics or religion.

It can cause a lot of issues and lead to many problems, like losing friendships, ruining family relations, causing tension, and a lot more. I just don't think it's constructive, so I choose to not talk about it. But today, I am making an exception, considering there are a lot of different things that are happening and have happened within the last few months that have caused a lot of controversy.

My views on our current president are in the middle; I don't hate him, but I don't like him, either. I don't think the way he has presented himself is appropriate at all. The comments he has made are atrocious and uncalled for. But he has done a lot of good for our country. The unemployment rate is down by a staggering amount since he took office, and the economy is also doing very well. There are other aspects of his administration that I don't agree with, though, like the idea of building a wall or his take on foreign policy.

There are other aspects that I agree with when it comes to the Republican point of view, such as having the right to bear arms, the issues with welfare, and the idea that healthcare shouldn't be a government-run institution. Now before you freak out, I do believe that there needs to be a serious improvement in the selling of guns, including background checks and a mental health evaluation for each individual trying to purchase a gun. Now healthcare is difficult because I know there are so many people out there that need help and are struggling but are working so hard, but people abuse the help the government gives them. It's the same thing with welfare; it's abused a lot, but there are also people who really need it, so I don't think it should be completely removed. But I think that it has to be evaluated depending on each individual situation and that those receiving any sort of benefits need to be actively looking for employment or some sort of betterment to be able to get off of these programs.

Now with the aspects of the Democratic point of view, I agree wholeheartedly with the fact that abortion should be legal because if it's your body you should be making that decision. Now do I think that abortion should be used as a sort of birth control? Absolutely not, but in circumstances such as rape or health problems or any other serious issue there should be no question about it. I also agree with gay marriage, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone is human no matter what, just because that person is in love with the same sex or has decided that they are in the wrong body or that they love both sexes shouldn't matter because love is love, and mental health and feeling comfortable in your own skin is so important. People should be able to live their lives however they please, because it's their life.

There are other things such as immigration that I feel indifferent about; I think that those seeking refuge or just wanting to have a better life deserve to, but it does take a very long time to become a citizen or even to get a green card, and in some countries these people could be dead by then. But I don't think they should do it illegally. At the same time, I can't blame them for doing it, and I also don't agree with the children being locked up and away from their parents by I.C.E.

I do believe that there are certain aspects of the Republican and Democratic view that are positive and there are some that are negative. But everyone's opinion is important and should be respected because not everyone is the same and everyone has different beliefs and opinions.