While I seriously question Facebook as a reliable source of news, I appreciate its Trending Topics sidebar on the desktop website, which reminded me that Donald Trump was announcing his pick for vice presidential running mate. Immediately, like I did for each Republican and Democratic who announced their run, I took to the Internet to do some research on the candidates. For at least a few minutes, it appeared as if Mike Pence wasn't truly a bad guy. But around minute three or four, I cringed harder than I probably ever have reading his stance on social issues.

Contrary to what many people say, I believe Donald Trump alone is not capable of ushering in the apocalypse and train wrecking our country, considering the checks and balances we have in place that prevent tyranny. I think he, just like any other politician, panders to whatever audience he is speaking in front of, leading to his stances on many issues being muddled or contradictory. But Mike Pence? I know exactly what his intentions are and just how he feels about certain communities in our nation. The Antichrist? I doubt it. Someone who would deny rights and opportunities to American citizens if he gets the chance? Wouldn't rule it out.

First, I cannot stand the half-assed process of nominating vice presidents in the United States. The American voters technically can only choose between the VP that the presidential candidates, which is far from democratic. George W. Bush was the first president whose entire presidency I was alive for, and I hardly remember a single thing that John Kerry did as vice president. I almost forget sometimes that he WAS the vice president. This man or woman, who the voters only choose indirectly, is the president of the Senate!

We've got a bicameral legislature, meaning our Congress is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives. Pence is incredibly anti-government spending, which is not necessarily a good thing when you are the leader of committees that are tasked with submitting a balanced budget. Budgeting requires compromise, and someone who is pro- or anti-spending does not really allow for collaboration to decide where money should be allocated. State budgeting and federal budgeting are two different games, and it might become clear very quickly just which groups of people he chooses to serve over another.

Second, social conservatism may be rooted in Christian values, but when it looks militant, discriminatory, and not really a model after Jesus, it kind of raises red flags. Everyone has divergent views on issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion... and then there are the people in power who advocate bills that essentially codify discrimination, deemed "religious freedom" bills. Here's a man who has voted against prohibiting job discrimination against sexual orientation, was against repealing "Don't ask, don't tell," and continues to make statements about public health that, with enough criticism, he reluctantly apologizes for.

This man often fails to acknowledge scientific fact and is about as genuine as his radio personality voice. This presidential ticket is messy. Pence thinks he's upholding the word of God, when, really, it's his own agenda he's out to fulfill. This man has hopped from the Cruz train to Trump's bandwagon, claiming that Trump is the most relatable president since Reagan, though not in his camp originally. Both Trump and Pence say pretty offensive things, but Trump does it to win over multiple audiences, while Pence really means what he says. His apologies never truly seem sincere -- does he only apologize when he doesn't get his way?

Before making a final decision about who to vote for in the general election, I really would like to know who Hillary Clinton chooses as a vice president. Though I have another set of reasons I'm wary about electing her as POTUS, maybe she can demonstrate her ability to nominate strong choices for positions like the vice presidency, and maybe convince me that she's a viable candidate.

Personally, I miss the olden days where the losing party's candidate became the vice president. Sure, a Republican prez and Democratic VP (or vice versa) may have clashing opinions, but wouldn't that be more democratic than putting someone only slightly relevant on the ticket? Whatever, might have to go #JohnsonWeld2016 to institute some change to the voting process in 2020. Our system needs to be rattled a little.