October 11, 2016

The following is my personal opinion based on the events in the 2016 Election. I fully intend to be respectful of other's opinions and I understand that all those who read this will not agree with me. That's what is so great about our country, we can disagree on issues and still debate.

First, I should begin with some background information.

I am a 20-year-old college student about to vote in my first presidential election. I grew up in a traditionally Republican county undergoing rapid growth in metro-Atlanta. My parents have voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates in previous elections and taught me to vote for the candidate, not for the party. For the past year, I spent many hours reading up on candidates, listening to primary debates for both parties, and following the 2016 campaign to make the best decision for myself and my country.

I made my decision long before I realized there wasn't a decision to be made at all.

Several months ago, I knew it was time for a change. It was time for a woman to be President. It was clear who the real qualified candidate was. Hillary Clinton is the only presidential candidate that is presidential. She knows how to lead, serve, and inspire a nation. Tim Kaine, the democratic vice presidential nominee, is a bilingual strong leader who will serve as a strong Vice President in the years to come. This all was clear to me way before the GOP released the monster that is Donald Trump.

I watched the first two presidential debates and have followed the recent news with kid gloves. I understand that the political commentators on TV influence the opinions of their viewers and the importance to watch for what Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump say, how they say it, and notice what they don't say. This only confirmed what I already knew.

Donald Trump was a 59-year-old, married man during the time of the Trump Tapes that were leaked last weekend. He spoke in a disgusting manner, like a sexual predator, in a tone that was anything but acceptable from a public figure. This was before he decided to run for president, however, these remarks about sexual assault are deplorable. He defended this by claiming it was "locker room talk" and claimed it was not near as bad as what occurred with Bill Clinton while serving as president. Really, Donald?

I was raised to respect other people and enjoy the value they provide with their opinions and the good in their hearts, not to look for ways divide people. Trump's comments about women, African-Americans, Muslims, and Latinos make me sick. This isn't the kind of thinking and ideas we need in 2016. We should be coming together, helping one another not looking for ways to put others down.

Hillary Clinton has a lifetime dedicated to public service, she has experience all over the place in politics, and she is the leader we need in the year 2016. Her views on LGBTQ and her plan to help college students with debt provide a snapshot at what she has to offer the American people. I am confident she will be an excellent president and continue the great work of President Barack Obama. We are not on the verge of falling off the tracks, America is headed the right direction. We need faith in each other, not faith in a "dictator" like Donald Trump.

There is no choice, Donald Trump is not able to lead a country.

Learning more about Mr. Trump, I see a man who came from money and had everything he could ever want. He started off ahead of where many finished. I still, to this very day, wonder "Why is he doing this?" This a man who's mainstream campaign policies are to build a wall, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and extreme vetting of immigrants.

During the debate last Sunday, Trump threatened to, if elected, hire a special prosecutor and throw Hillary Clinton in prison. This is very, very scary. We, in 2016,have a major party candidate who threatened to throw his opposition in jail. To many, this is no surprise and is another example of Trump being Trump. But, to those who still support Donald Trump and chant "lock her up!" I have to ask, "Seriously?"

I challenge those few remaining on the Trump bandwagon to ask themselves if they can defend this man and give a reason they support him without mentioning Hillary Clinton's name.