Defining one’s self, establishing one’s values, and leaving one’s mark are essential things all humans desire. This psychological needs to actualize one’s existence and to have meaning in one’s life are what voting allows us to do. We align ourselves with a candidate in the hopes that they can better the world by personifying our values and enacting these values. This very desire is why I will be voting for Hillary Clinton on April 19th and almost definitely, on November 8th.

Many question my allegiance to such a “criminal” and I am somewhat of a minority within my age group due to the fact that I am not “feeling the bern”. This questioning is why I want to set the record for why I am with her. To articulate, the following five reasons are why Hillary Clinton has won my unwavering vote:

1. One of the most important “ issues” to me is women’s rights. The right to control your body should not be something the government can control. Each person, male, female, etc. should have access to birth control, family planning, and other health services. Planned Parenthood is an ardent group that stands for women’s rights and her right of choice. This progressive organization threw their endorsement to Hillary Clinton, as she is the strongest candidate for Women’s Rights. Beyond this endorsement, as first lady she fought for women. On a global scale, she delivered a powerful speech on women in Beijing to the United Nations. On the domestic level her “ No Ceilings” initiative has been fighting for women’s equality. These are just two examples of her championing for gender equality.
2. Many view change with distaste. Change is bad some say, one should stick to their beliefs. That notion, in my eyes, isn’t very progressive. Making change, being able to change, and being open to change are what make a candidate progressive. Hillary Clinton is a pillar of change and has a record of changing. This changing I embrace, as one cannot be progressive if one cannot change. Switching her stance on gay marriage, becoming a democrat, the Iraq war, and the Keystone pipeline are some of her most notable swaps. America needs a dynamic leader not a static one. We need a president that can acknowledge what was once the norm may not be good for the good of society anymore. No other candidate has proven their ability to adapt to the times more than Hillary Clinton.
3. Hillary Clinton isn’t an exclusively domestic name unlike many other candidates. She is a globally acknowledged power and negotiator. She helped usher the Iran nuclear deal, took center stage at the UN for humans rights and has met with many world leaders. She is a step ahead of most candidates on foreign influence. She has been on the global stage for quite sometime now. Her worldly respect is something a leader needs. She will have the respect of our allies and the strength to stand up against our enemies. On top of all of this, she has the strongest foreign policy platform in this election cycle. Clinton has served as secretary of state and has some of the top foreign policy advisers on her side. In addition, her stance on maintaining the Iran Nuclear Deal and combating ISIS without engaging ground troops prove that she has practical plans that our nation needs.
4. When you sit down at a job interview one of the most important criteria for the job is your previous work experience. The Presidential election is a massive interview. We the people are the company, and these candidates are our prospective employees. There is no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified for presidency. She served on the Senate, was a former First - Lady, a former Secretary of State, and has experience in elections from running in 2008 , as well as, helping her husband’s campaign. We can listen speeches all we want, we can get all the promises we want to hear, but without experience that means nothing. Hillary Clinton has the experience and rap sheet to be the next President of the USA.
5. When you get hit you get back up. When a country takes a hit they get back up. Hillary Clinton is a candidate who can take a hit and get back up. There can be no discussion of Hillary without bringing up her juicy gossip. From her emails to her hearings republicans can’t seem to get enough of scrutinizing Hillary. Attack her, attack her husband, attack her integrity and look at that, she still stands. She doesn't just stand after these unending assaults, she stands with grace. Instead of barking back and losing her manners, she maintains a necessary temper and decorum during these unfounded attacks. There is no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the most attacked candidate, most of these attacks coming from her republican counterparts. Not only has she survived these relentless onslaughts, she has grown stronger from them. One must ask, why do they keep attacking her? The answer is clear. They’re scared of her. Republicans don’t want the force of Hillary Clinton against them because they know that she is the strongest candidate in the race. When push comes to shove we don’t need a weak president, we need one who gets back up and fights for the country we all would die to save.

Hillary Clinton is the candidate for me. She may not be the candidate for you. Nevertheless, it can’t be understated that she could be an amazing president and that she is one of the strongest players in contemporary history. There is no, more experienced, well rounded, better spoken, or progressively practical candidate in this election cycle. This is why I am proud to say, I am with her.