Politics.

Gross.

Just the word makes me cringe. But amidst probably the most ridiculous presidential election in history thus far, not to mention the social tension that seems to thicken each day, it seems harder and harder to escape the topic.

Here's the thing: I usually identify as liberal. I usually agree with Democratic ideals more often than Republican ideals.

But I hate telling people that.

When I was in high school, I remember being in economics class as we were trying to make a budget for a mock country. My group put 75% of our budget toward our mock military and absolutely nothing for social security, healthcare, or welfare programs. I spoke up and said that no military needed that much of a cut, and we could use our budget to help the people of our mock country. My group members didn't even let me finish my sentence and started chanting, "DEMOCRAT! DIRTY LIBERAL HIPPIE!"

Now, I'm from a small town, generally pretty dang conservative. But I thought this was a ridiculous way to treat any person, no matter their political affiliation.

But I also get on Facebook to regularly see some of my liberal friends posting awful things about conservative people. Saying things about how if you're conservative you hate women and gay people and you're obviously a rich, white person who is just selfish. And that's just not true either.

Yes, there are selfish, close-minded, hateful Republicans. Yes, there are selfish, close-minded, hateful Democrats.

But that's because there are selfish, close-minded, hateful people in this world.

When I registered to vote last spring, I wanted to register as an Independent. If I had registered as an Independent, I couldn't have voted for any presidential candidate.

Our government's and our society's obsession with labels frustrates me to no end.

Yes, I am a registered Democrat. But what if a Republican comes around that represents my ideals better? I just can't vote for them because of some label?

Yes, I identify as liberal. But for some reason this means that I am just an ignorant, entitled millennial who wants to skate by in life, relying on tax-payer money.

Yes, I identify as liberal.

I believe in equality. That does not mean that I am anti-anything Republican. Stop making assumptions.

We need to stop this ridiculous name-calling and stop driving this wedge through the middle of our country because of some box they make us check when we vote. To them, we are just a number.

But we are people. Human beings. Individuals who have opinions and morals and values.

I need everyone to take a step back from all the political noise and reflect. What is important to you? What do you stand for? Support not only the candidate that reflects your answers, but take action yourself. Because presidents and representatives and senators can only do so much without people behind them.

You can be a good person without the labels.