I know, I know. Another election article. It's probably the last thing you want to see, right? Well, I'm not writing to talk about candidates or politics. I'm writing to talk about you. Yes, you, the American people. Over the past year and a half, our country has steadily split apart. It seems like you can't bring up any opinion without it turning into a political argument. This is my first election have paid close attention to, and it worries me. Is this what I'm going to have to put up with every four years for the rest of my life?

So, consider this a reminder. As you head to the polls on Tuesday, remember that this is not a be-all end-all. Who someone chooses to vote for should not ruin relationships. This is supposed to be a time in our country where the citizens can come together and have their voice heard. We are able to refocus on the issues that are important to us and decide the kind of country we would like to be, a better nation than before. Too often, we willingly pit ourselves against each other. We look at someone who has a different opinion from as the enemy. We dismiss whatever they have to say without bothering to listen to or even consider their argument. Democracy is not about one person's view or the other. It's about the will of the people, the needs of the people. How are we ever going to be able to fix the problems facing this country if we can't stop screaming at each other long enough to make sure we're even talking about the same issue?

All I'm saying is, listen. It doesn't have to change your mind, but we can at least try to be civil with one another. No matter what the outcome is on Election Day, we all must remember to respect each others' opinions, to treat our fellow Americans with dignity and human decency. It doesn't have to be a fight. It doesn't have to be a shouting match. It can simply be two people who are civilized enough to discuss a topic calmly and try to see the other's point of view. Because how can we ever hope to move forward if we don't first try to compromise in order to take that first step together?