So here we are once again, approaching another election. For how many months prior, our candidates have been fighting and toiling to get the approval of the American public. Oh wait, I said “our candidates.” Poor choice of wording there. I’m sure most of you had something along the lines of “*insert name of candidate here*- isn’t my candidate!” running through your heads. Well, I’ll take that back. With how much these opponents have been riling people up all over the board, I don’t want to run any risks. It seems as though our house divided is going to continue to not stand.
When it comes to voting, it’s hard to separate the candidate and what they believe from the actual person running for office. I believe this is tied into human nature. We are naturally adverse to things we don’t agree with. When it comes to a grander scale, like the presidential office, it becomes a lot bigger of an obstacle to overcome. Yet isn’t what a candidate believes tied to who they are as a person? Should we even strive to separate that when, on the television and internet, that’s all we’re exposed to? It may take some digging around, but I’m sure if you looked up the personal life of either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, you’re bound to find something that you like about either of them.
As I said before, this becomes increasingly difficult as we get close to an important election. Also, it may be hard for some people to grip onto facts that may not be in line with what they believe about either Obama or Romney. Sometimes it’s just that we’re exposed to so much negativity and controversy in any news outlet, whatever political affiliation they seem to cater to. Every piece of information is delivered in a way to create and foster extreme emotions about the candidate. I wouldn’t necessarily call them the “politics of hate,” but something along the lines of the “politics of division” or the “politics of turmoil” sounds pretty fitting to me.
Now for the real message of this article. It may come off as a bit disingenuous when compared to the rest, or it may seem like an obvious no-brainer. Yet it’s something I feel compelled to say. Let’s be as patriotic and American as we can be this November. In that I mean despite who you’re voting for, just get out there and vote. As it’s been said millions of times before, people have sacrificed all that they have so that we can complain about having to drive 1.8 miles, wait in line for five minutes, and cast our votes. Hopefully that’s an accurate breakdown of the voting process. It was for me back in 2008, so hopefully I’m not too off-base here.
While you’re at it, pick up an extra coffee for the ladies running the ballots. Pick up a friend who’d like to vote but can’t. Make small take with the people in front of you or behind you in line. Be civil, be kind, and most importantly, be proud. It sounds strange to be proud of something so small, doesn’t it? Some of you likely vote multiple times a year, and some vote once every four years when the presidential election comes around. Either way, be proud. You’re contributing and although it seems small, you’re making your voice heard. There are thousands of men and women who, for whatever reason, can’t vote and have their say in things. Honor their memory and their life by getting out there.
It would just be nice to see an election November that isn’t completely tied up with a certain candidate taking the cake. Let’s come together and just enjoy the fact that we have the freedom anytime we want to jump in our cars, drive to a voting center, and help decide the future “leader” of our country. There could be some major changes depending on who gets elected, but either way, the world will still turn. You’ll still be living in the U.S., and you’ll continue to have your loved ones with you. In a world so seemingly cold sometimes, that’s really all we have. So as I stated before, be proud of your American status (if you have one,) and if not, be proud of whatever country you hail from. Let’s cut the division and make our house a united one.
