To those who support Sanders or Hillary,

I write this to you because the California Primary is on June 7th and we are eager to get the polls. We’ve been promised an election of a lifetime, been given quite a show, but now it’s time to take the future of America seriously.

First and foremost, Bernie Sanders is a self-declared socialist. Socialism is defined as promoting a society in which the government is largely in control — whether that be in the public or private sector. We must consider how much of “Big Brother” we want interfering in our lives. Under a Sanders administration, more regulation on private entrepreneurial companies will be imposed. Also like the current ObamaCare health system, medicine will be socialized. Citizens would be given less free will, which is ironic considering that the United States is founded on and defended by freedom.

During the Vietnam War, Sanders applied for conscientious objector, which means that on the grounds of moral or religious principle, a person may abstain from serving in the armed forces. Article II of the Constitution states, “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States,” but how can a candidate who so vehemently opposes war be expected to fulfill this duty? In an ideal world, there would not be chemical warfare, drone strikes, and nuclear weaponry. Unfortunately, that is not the real world of today.

The Middle East is in spiraling unrest — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei spoke in Tehran in July of 2015, as he said, “If war breaks out, it will be the aggressive, cruel American that loses.” The crowd chanting “death to America” echoed this sentiment. The Joint Comprehensive Plan, or the Iranian Nuclear Deal, that was brought together by the United Nations and the U.S. gave the country access to frozen assets of billions of dollars. Russia also completed a major arms deal, North Korea tested an Atomic Bomb, and China supplied tactical weapons, which were used by the Revolutionary Guard’s Force (IRGC), or Iran’s most powerful military regime, to destroy “a replica of an American aircraft carrier near the strategic Strait of Hormuz,” Newsweek Global reported. President Sanders, although he has rejected the label “pacifist,” would not be strong enough to handle such international strife that will reach a breaking point, perhaps sooner rather than later. In the CBS Presidential debate, he stated that the “greatest threat to national security is global warming.” While this is a concern, we must give priority to more immediate danger.

Even if he is able to overstep his moral principle and chooses to enter a war, his economic plan will continue to nail the United States into debt, which does not bode well for military advancements and spending. Bernie summarized in one word is “free.” After winning the New Hampshire caucus, he stated, “We are going to make public colleges and universities tuition-free.” Along with this, he will increase infrastructure spending and expand Social Security by raising the marginal income tax rate. He also expects the government, not private insurers, to pay health-care bills. The Economist wrote that this would amount to $14 trillion in debt over a decade. There is a false correlation between his so-called “free” and the overturn of debt and soaring taxes.

I will, however, commend Sanders for taking a stance against the death penalty. During the MSNBC Democratic debate, he stated, “I just don’t believe that government itself should be part of the killing.” Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has “confidence in the federal system” and is in support of the death penalty in varied cases. Hillary is also a pro-choice candidate, which allows abortion. Bernie is as well, but here is where I begin to have a problem. Who are we to prioritize one life over the next? This is the same quarrel I have with many Republicans who are staunchly pro-life, yet believe in the death penalty.

I believe that many voters see both candidates as being progressive and empowering, but I find them to be quite the opposite. Especially Hillary Clinton. During her 2008 run for election, she said, “We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.” What she meant was that the government will take from higher income providers and families — that money substantially going towards entitlement programs. The problem with this is that it takes away the incentive to work. A flat tax would private a universally lower rate and would be even more accommodating to lower and middle-class families because of the higher paying jobs that would be generated.

A major flaw in Hillary’s run is that she cannot assure the American people that under a 3rd, yet more woman-empowered, Clinton administration, that national security would be strong. In the aftermath of the Benghazi scandal, where she used a compromised email server to discuss high clearance intelligence, the FBI has an open investigation of her. The Washington Examiner even pressed “Clinton’s Fifteen Biggest Scandals,” ranging from her missing charity money to disappeared reports of the Clinton security team covering up prostitute solicitation, assisted by inspector general Harold Geisel.

Some may make the argument that if you do not vote for Hillary, you are misogynist. This could not be further from the truth. This is like saying that Sanders isn’t the leader of the Democratic Party because voters hate old people or that Dr. Ben Carson was faltering because society still doesn’t respect African Americans. The truth of the matter is that because everyone is entitled to hold their opinions, votes will vary. It isn’t because of aim to oppress women, bigotry, or whatever other politically correct word you could be slammed with.

In 1992, in a 60 Minutes interview of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, she touted, “I’m not sitting here some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette” when her husband was accused of having an extramarital affair. After news of Monica Lewinsky broke light, she continued to take his side. Right or wrong, feminists don’t approve and their votes will reflect that, even branding her “positively anti-feminist,” the New York Post headlined.

Recently, Us Weekly listed 25 things we always wanted to know (but did we really?) about Hillary Rodham Clinton. She does yoga, takes selfies with celebrities like Katy Perry, and even does the whip on Ellen Degeneres’ show. She’s just like us, they assured. This is just a Hollywood hoax, though. After her time as First Lady to Bill, but the second pick to Monica, and her uncountable time in Washington, she is far from the daily life of Americans.

Whichever candidate you may choose from either Party, I beg of you to be an informed voter. Look into realclearpolitics.com, which offers far left articles to far right, foreign policy, presidential updates, polls, and everything few and far between. Register, vote, and help to ensure an America we are proud to call home.

Sincerely,

A nervous America