Almost every night at dinner, my 10-year-old cousin picks at his food and makes a dozen excuses as to why he cannot finish his meal. He knows what he wants and what he doesn’t, and he tries his best to end dinner in his favor. Kids are picky, they exaggerate, and they often lie to get their way – much like today’s presidential candidates.

It doesn’t matter if you support Trump or Hillary – it’s safe to say that this election has gotten way out of hand. It has focused largely on the personal actions or relations of each candidate, taking away from his or her time to focus on foreign policy, the security and economy of our nation, healthcare, and several other aspects that have been underrepresented in the news media.

This election has become more of a joke than anything else. Between #DumpTrump and “Crooked Hillary,” social media has been full of bitter, humorous discussion about both candidates and why neither candidate would make a good president. It is very seldom that you hear a positive remark about Trump or Hillary, especially since no one can take either of them seriously.

Will Hillary make pants suits mandatory?

Will Trump build a wall on Mexicos border?

Find out tomorrow on the season finale of America
— Raptor Gang 4-2 (@JuiceTha56) November 7, 2016

I have chosen to abstain from voting in the 2016 presidential election because I cannot fathom placing my personal vote with either candidate, and here’s why:

1. I will not vote for Trump because...

a) Besides “building a wall,” Trump has focused on very few actual policies that he plans to implement if elected.

b) He is a bigot, misogynist, and a racist. I’m typically very open-minded, but the ridiculous comments and ideas expressed by Trump have left me speechless and disgusted.

c) He’s untrustworthy and loose with facts. For example, Trump seems to believe that global warming is a hoax and vaccines cause autism. There is no cell in my body that agrees with this man, so why would I vote for a candidate who makes uneducated claims such as these?

Now, with this being said,

2. I will not vote for Hillary, either, because...

a) The e-mail scandal and investigation has proven that she is untrustworthy and is subject to misconduct. Why would I vote for a candidate who possesses this dangerous quality?

b) During the Democratic Presidential Debate, Hillary claimed that republicans are her enemies. I refuse to vote for a candidate who believes themselves to be better than not only their opponent but their opposing party as well. Sure, as the Democratic candidate it only makes sense for her to boast about her own party’s core values and ideas, but there is no need to undermine the opposing party while doing so.

c) She sides with late-term abortion. I’m sorry, but how can she claim to be an advocate for women, children and families if she supports the termination of an unborn child in the very last stage of a woman’s pregnancy. I believe that women should have the right to choose, but only to an extent – and this extent is not something I support.

I do believe my vote matters. It may literally be one in a million, but I firmly believe that every individual’s contribution makes a difference in one way or another. If you don’t like Trump, fine. If you don’t like Hillary, fine. Vote for someone who better suits your own ideals, who you can trust, and who you can be confident in.

Unfortunately, I do not find trust, confidence, or security in either two candidates and that is why I have abstained from voting for either Trump or Hillary in this presidential election. I refuse to choose one simply because I dislike the other, because I ultimately I do not agree with anything either of them has said or done thus far, and I will not support or vote for either one of them to be the leader of the free world.