Almost everyone I talk to nowadays is almost guffawing at the ridiculousness that is this election. How unfortunate is it that for the first election I can vote in, this is what I am dealt. In my opinion, contrary to most others, it isn't the candidates themselves that are the issue: it is the people. The American people have created the election. We as a nation hand picked the people to be the party candidates. We have no right, as either Republicans or Democrats, to complain about who we have to choose from. Sure, the individual didn't directly pick the nominees; it was the majority. The majority gave us Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, so we have to deal with those decisions.
This has been an extremely divisive election season. In the past, supporters of the GOP nominee have not been as vocal and as negative toward the Democratic nominee. Same goes for thoughts toward the Republican nominee. Actual hatred has developed based on a political association. I catch myself making snap judgements on a person simply based on who they choose to endorse. That is because this election has gotten personal. It isn't about politics anymore. I used to at least have some respect for those who opposed my political views. I sadly no long have that outlook. And I know I get the same in return.
During the Presidential Debate, my Twitter feed is ridden with scathing tweets about both candidates. I can't scroll without seeing something about "crooked Hillary and her lies" or "Trump and his racism." People aren't reporting what the candidates want to enforce when elected. Instead, the news broadcasts personal outrages time and time again. It is getting out of hand. We all know Bill cheated on Hillary and her emails were deleted. Let's move on. We all know Trump says deplorable comments about many minority groups. Move on. What I don't know is concrete statements that either candidate has said about current issues. Sure, if I looked hard enough through online reports, I would find out, but it isn't being publicized.
The election is unnecessarily out of control. The Saturday Night Live skits should not be so similar to the actual drama that is occurring out on the campaign trail. Their writers should not be able to pull literal quotes and happenings from this election to use as pure comedy. But that is what this election has become: a joke. Clinton and Trump are getting into Twitter wars instead of actually having a conversation about the nation's future, and that is just plain ridiculous.
As a result of all the tomfoolery in the election so far, many are choosing to not vote. Too many people are genuinely upset with the two party candidates. That should not be how a Presidential election transpires. We have the constitutional right to vote for the leader of our country, and now instead of picking from whom there is, that we voted for as a nation, many are simply opting out.
I urge you, as new voter and a fellow American, please explore your options. Do extensive research about the character, attitude, demeanor, and beliefs of each and every candidate, and vote. Right now you may be feeling like you are choosing between the lesser of two evils, but yet you get that right to choose. This election may be the worst election you experience, but you get to vote. Why give away an opportunity like this? Are you truly okay with letting the worse candidate win? Or do you want to be a part of making change?
All that being said, I cannot wait for this election to end. No one can predict where the results will take us, but I sure as hope the nation won't feel as divided as it does now.
