November 8, 2016 will be the first presidential election I, myself, and many others in my generation, are eligible to vote in. An exciting milestone for a young adult at the mere age of twenty-one, especially after watching my mother argue and debate very passionately over politics for years prior. However, I feel anything but grateful or privileged to be given this right to vote. Especially with the way this presidential race has been advancing.
To be blunt, here are our choices: a world class liar or a sexist, racist, and downright pompous asshole. And yes, I did just technically badmouth both candidates. Why? Well, because it's how I honestly feel. And when given such choices for a leader of our country, who could help but feel a little bit discouraged let alone strongly put off by it all? To support this point of view, what positive or even morally sound messages has anyone picked up from anything that they have heard or seen throughout this race? That's right, there aren't any. Both sides have done nothing with this platform but continuously shame their peoples' standards and endlessly spew negativity, lies, and complete slander towards each other. I don't know about you, but that isn't exactly my cup of tea and it certainly isn't going to sway my opinion towards either let alone my decision to vote at all.
At this point, any sound arguments or agreeable points of view are so significantly outweighed by negative aspects of each person that there are no other focus points but the negative. It's almost as if your favorite sweater has just been washed too many times for any feasible alterations. Those tears in the fabric are no longer able to be mended. There's only so much damage a system can take before it can only be declared irreparable. This election stands true for that at least.
Despite the constant negotiations between coworkers, peers, Facebook friends, and pretty much anyone I interact with anywhere, I have managed to successfully not voice my opinion until now. I really think a vote in this election is pointless. Either way, we aren't bringing any substantial positivism to the table here. A controversial, turbulent billionaire or a slimy, fibbing politician? The choice is yours, but it more accurately feels like a choice of death. It's almost as if we have the choice between poisoning ourselves with chloroform (sudden and you know what you've gotten yourself into) or death by starvation (inevitable doom, yet slow and painful).
All I am saying here is that I am truly and wholeheartedly disenchanted by both and the whole process this time around. But most of all, I am saddened. I've looked forward to the advantages of adulthood for years, including voting, and when faced with such a fruitless situation, I am only eagerly waiting for its end. Even though to some I am not fulfilling my duty as a citizen, ultimately it is our choice, as Americans, if we even want to vote at all. However, I am ultimately, at least grateful for that choice.
It is November 8th, right? Or is it the 28th? ... You'd think that one would have been marked in his calendar. Ah, the details - who cares?
