Both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions were hosted this past week and it's official, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the two candidates from the major parties. Whether you are with the Donald or #ImWithHer or a third party candidate, there is no way to avoid that this is going to be an extremely important election. There is a chance that our next president will be a businessman, which could change how our country is run in a number of different ways. On the other hand, we could be electing our first female president. Either way, the 2016 presidential election has turned into one of the most controversial and important elections in recent history.
It is plain to see that the country is more divided than it has been in decades and the direction of both parties is in serious question. For example, the Democratic National Convention was plagued with die-hard Bernie supporters who refused to support Hillary even if she got the nomination. On the Republican side, many hard-core conservatives refuse to support Donald Trump because they don't think that he represents what the party believes in.
There are also going to be up to four seats on the Supreme Court open for the next president to fill. If Obama does not fill the seats of the three justices that are over 80, then the new president will fill them himself/herself. With one more justice passing retirement age shortly after the election, there could be four seats open which will give the party of the next president the power to change the tone of the decisions being made in the Supreme Court significantly. This could be a game-changer for either party as the Supreme Court is currently split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
Another important factor is that the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare as it is affectionately(?) known, could be undone if the Donald wins because it is not in line with the views of the conservative Republican party. However, if Hillary wins, the Affordable Care Act will most likely stay as it is because the same party that put the act into place would be taking office again. The upside of the Affordable Care Act helps uninsured people find quality, affordable health care through Medicaid. The downside of the Affordable Care Act that makes many Republicans mad is that in order to pay for it, taxes had to be raised.
We as citizens of the United States have the power to help decide the future of our country. In the wise words of President Barack Obama, "Don't boo. Vote." Your vote does count. Don't let your voice be unheard.
