I have always loved learning about domestic and foreign affairs. Maybe that is simply because I just love learning. But I have come to hate politics. I personally feel that more hate and anger comes out of it than any good. I'm honestly too afraid to share my opinions because I fear the backlash and hurtful comments from people who don't even really know me. So here I am anxiously sharing my thoughts but hoping that those who may still disagree with me will understand that my intentions are good. I am just having a hard time understanding how we ended up where we are.

I don't support political parties. I support ideas. I believe in ideas that both Democrats and Republicans believe in and therefore refuse to submit myself to one party and entirely detest another. (Remember that George Washington warned us against these-he clearly had his reasons). I don't want to vote on an individual to represent me, especially people who I don't believe will do a good enough job reflecting my values. I would prefer to vote on policies, not people. But I realize that we must choose a figurehead to represent and help run this country and it is unfortunate that we have wound up with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as our two leading candidates for this upcoming presidential election. I just have a hard time grasping that this is the best our country has to offer because I know that is not the case.

I cannot be alone in thinking this election is an embarrassment. The behavior of both candidates and both parties is unsettling at the very least. I know that in all the years of presidential elections no candidate is perfect and that there tends to be a lot of poor behaviors displayed by many other politicians, but I feel as though we have seen the worst of the worst (to date). For me, this election has consisted of watching middle school students bantering on twitter and publicly name-calling others. I don’t ever really see campaign ads that focus entirely on either candidate’s policies and goals because they’re spent just bashing the other person and explaining why they are worse. I’m sorry but “they’re worse” isn’t a convincing enough case for me to vote for you. “They’re bad” doesn’t demonstrate to me why you are any good.

I cannot condone the words, behaviors, and actions of either of the two. I still always hear how one is clearly worse than the other, of course depending on who you ask. I think we forget that “the lesser of two evils is still evil.” I was taught never to settle and I don’t think this election should be the exception to that. Am I being picky? Sure, maybe. But shouldn’t we all be ‘picky’ when deciding on our nation’s leader? Shouldn’t we want someone exceptional for this job? Our standards have been lowered and rather than question the ridiculousness of that, we accept it instead of trying to raise them like we should. Am I wrong for not wanting to sacrifice my values or morals and settle for someone who is simply the lesser evil? I have every intention of voting but do not see myself voting among the options that this election has presented me with. Unfortunately, I’m sure I will be criticized or insulted for this. I know that my vote will have little effect on the results. I am certain that no matter what I do, we will end up with one of them as our president. But this still isn’t a convincing enough argument to get me to cast my vote for either.

Both candidates have impressive resumes in their respective areas and therefore have skills that I am sure would be assets to this country somehow. However, their current and past actions have cast a shadow of a doubt far too large for me to ignore and it will always be there making me feel uneasy. I see no accountability from either of them. I see no genuine ownership of mistakes and ill-spoken words. Both candidates have said and done things in the past that I find disturbing. You can argue with me that the past is the past but I think this provides insight into the future. Maya Angelou once said “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.” And I can’t help but to quote Oprah Winfrey who addressed Maya Angelou's words by acknowledging how, “when someone shows you a lack of integrity or dishonesty the first time, know that this will be followed many many other times.” Trump and Clinton have shown us who they are or at least who they are capable of being so why are we not believing it? Or better yet, why are we accepting it?

At the end of all of this, I just hope people realize that neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton will look out for you. This is just politics and just business for them, but you are not simply politics and business. It is you who will always have your best interests at heart, and those of your family. It’s up to us to represent our morals and our values-ones of compassion, kindness, acceptance, understanding and courage, among so many more. We are our own voices. I am saddened by our options but I am convinced that this country is still great for the countless people who demonstrate selflessness and kindness each day. That is the real goal and I hope we never lose sight of that.