As Monday’s debate commenced, you can imagine how elated new voters of the Millennial generation may have felt knowing that they have a decision in what happens to their country, and they don’t even have to have a parent/legal guardian’s consent to do it! Unfortunately, we do not have the dreamiest selection of candidates to choose from. In fact, we are down to our country’s major top two (I am not forgetting about Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, who are also very important!). This means that our nation is also on a time crunch for the dreaded decision day in November. On one corner of the ring, we have the money-hungry, bitter cheerleader on the bottom of the Republican Party pyramid, and in the opposite corner of the ring, we are introduced to the power-hungry, Lady Macbeth of the Democratic Party.

Watching the recent presidential debate was, well, erm, overwhelming to say the least. It was embarrassing to know that this nation’s two biggest competitors for the hottest seat in America were fighting like two teens with straw man like attacks at times.

Being undecided, I felt like a kid in the middle of her parents’ nasty divorce. Which side am I supposed to choose? I find it difficult for a college student relying heavily on FASFA’s mercy to connect with two individuals who practically bathe in money.

I want to rip my hair out. How can two elitists possibly speak for the middle class? How can two people who have climbed their ways to the top by stepping on the hands of the little guys fix the sins of a nation that has woven an already tangled web?

A classic question to pose here is: what do you think makes a good leader? For me, leadership qualities include a sense of responsibility, courage, confident humility, hope, a moral compass, patient compassion, and a dash of humor. I want a strong leader in this country who is stern, yet affable. I want someone who invests in the people, and invests in the hope for, not just a better future, but a better now.

Maybe this makes me jaded, or maybe I am just an optimist.

I just wonder how we got to this point. How did these two become our only major choices with the realistic possibility of running this country?

Let’s get to the bottom of this. The amount of Americans who actually vote in their local primaries is atrociously low. Likewise, the amount of Americans who actually take the time to participate in local elections in general is unsettlingly scarce. People do not take the time to go out and vote for the sake of a) not putting the time and effort to contribute to the conversation, and b) not having a clue about what any candidate present stands for. Among these problematic instances, there are so many other things that can turn potential voters off to the idea of voting completely. For example, this past primary in Arizona was a complete disaster for those aware of the possible voter fraud present there for Democratic voters, and the lack of organization for polling places in general.

Nevertheless, the biggest excuse for not voting is the issue of votes actually mattering. Opponents to the electoral college system would beg to differ, but your vote actually contributes a lot to the political process.

It’s important to remember that the political game is not a spectator worthy playing field. In order for a nation to stand with a worthy government, the people must play the game. If this nation is supposed to be one "government of the people, by the people, for the people,” then where are all the people? Because right now we have a sad excuse of voter turnout in this country, and it is rough to know how little people seem to care about what is going on in their own backyard, yet seem to have an awful lot to say about it.

In conjunction, you can call me paranoid, but I fear that we are left with two major candidates who are filled to the brim with empty promises, and who are cashing out on national slumps and tragedies for the sake of the show. Our country is not a burlesque. Our country is not a circus. Our country is not a business meeting. Our country’s needs are not business negotiations.

Trump is an impeccable businessman who is economically savvy. However, the man is a fame monster, with a touch of reality television, and brutal honesty. Clinton is a flawless politician with a strong clapback game was strong and answers filled with eloquence. Clinton is wrapped up with a nice bow on top. Does that necessarily reflect her potential, though? I am not so positive.

I fear the turnout of this election. I fear it as I fear the disasters of the Book of Revelations. We don't need elitists for president. We need a Jesus Christ figure for the sake of a saving grace because at this point the end is looking apocalyptic.

I challenge these two public figures to answer this next question --with no excuses, snarky remarks, and with absolutely no insult: how will you protect the people? Not the money of the people. Not the property of the people. Just the people. How will you protect my rights, and the rights of my neighbor? How will you protect the rights of the people you hate most? Because that will be your new job, and that will be your civic duty, your moral responsibility, and your almighty obligation.

Likewise, I challenge the rest of the country to listen to these candidates because they will be answering this question --whether they know it, or not. They will be answering this question in action and reaction from here until November. Once November hits, it will become your job to decide who answered the question to the best of their ability, and who left it on the cutting room floor.