With the upcoming elections comes a life riddled with obtuse remarks and stubborn ideals. So many people totally disregard empathy and understanding when thinking about politics. According to republicans, democrats do nothing right, and vice versa, for the most part.
I do not confine myself to a political party, although most of my beliefs parallel those of the democratic party. Now that I am an adult and have a say in elections, I refuse to agree with others' predilections without considering the other side. This ideal is very similar to other solutions to simpler situations. Think of your favorite and least favorite foods. How would you know that you liked/hated them without trying them? Think of a fight you've had with one of your friends. If you are still friends, it's because you both took the time to understand each other.
Trump supporters seem to be the biggest culprits of this closed-mindedness. How can someone think that it is fair to deport all immigrants without citizenship? First of all, we are all immigrants, so it would be straight-up hypocritical. Moreover, there are so many "illegal" immigrants who are upstanding citizens, even more so than most "Americans". One of my neighbors only has her green card. If Trump is elected, she has a large chance of being deported. All of her hard work and exemplary citizenship would be nullified. She works seven days a week, volunteers as a Spanish teacher at the local elementary school and is, in general, an amazing woman with an amazing family. For issues like this, it is extremely important to put ourselves in others' shoes. There are many other conflicts between parties, some of the most prominent include: gender equality, LGBTQ disagreements, racism and energy initiatives. It is really sad that these "problems" are even up for discussion. If people just talked and actually listened to each other, then maybe there wouldn't be so much tension and there would not even be problems like these.
The fact that people still rely on others' imprinted view points (rather than formulating their own ideas) is scary. To blindly believe someone or certain sources is ignorant. Before voting, everyone should do research and read articles from both sides. Presidential elections are a huge deal and need to be taken absolutely seriously.
It is not just voters who participate in this messed up system though. All of the presidential candidates isolate themselves because of pride and aggressive dogmas. Our country should be run collaboratively, not separately. So many of our government's issues stem from the inability to compromise. Checks and balances are black and white - regressive rather than innovative.
Many of my sentiments are best summarized in this historic quote from our nation's first president. “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” Thanks George Washington, I couldn't have said it better myself!
