I'm a Republican, but I don't hate Democrats.

One of the biggest struggles for me as a young conservative has always been people immediately assuming I hold a bitter resentment for “the other side.” Especially during high school, I was bullied and antagonized for my beliefs and chastised for “hating all Democrats.” People put words in my mouth made assumptions that simply weren’t true.

I remember specifically one time I shared an article on Facebook about First Lady Michelle Obama forgoing a headscarf in Saudi Arabia in what seemed to me to be a statement for women’s rights and added the comment, ‘Go Michelle.’ Through her “fashion diplomacy”, she discretely made a political statement in a respectful, non-bombastic way. And in that I found great merit. I saw a brave woman defying political correctness and standing firm in her beliefs, no matter her company.

However, one of my friends, a militant liberal, immediately took to my post blasting me for my alleged attack on Michelle Obama where I was “sarcastic” simply for the fact that she was not a member of the party I most often associate with. I remember that moment clearly.

I said to my friend sitting next to me, “I don’t hate Democrats. I don’t campaign against Democratic candidates…I campaign for the candidate whose ideology I most agree with.”

I don’t blindly follow the Republican Party. I don’t blindly oppose the Democrat Party. There are various issues that align me with both parties, and there are candidates from both parties I both oppose and support.

As a young American part of the millennial generation, I am by default more inclined to identify as an independent before I subscribe to a specific party, and I choose to embrace that. A party should work to earn my support.

Even more than that, if I do choose to support a specific candidate or a party, I am actually able to tell you why. During my experience in on-campus and grassroots activism I couldn’t tell you how many times people I encountered were unable to give me a confident, valid reason as to ‘why’ they believe what they do.

But I sure as hell can.

I support candidates who fight for freedom.

I support candidates who fight not only for women’s rights, minority rights, or immigrants’ rights but citizen’s right and their civil liberties.

I support candidates who walk the talk and live transparent, honest lives.

I support candidates who prioritize the economy and national security over controversial, media-intensified social issues.

I support anyone promoting a smaller government characterized by transparency, accessibility, and a respect for liberty.

No group should ever be denied any constitutional rights no matter their religion, race, sexuality, or profession. Period.

ALL citizens have a right to due process of law. Period. Under no circumstances should the precedent ever be set that the government can forego on the behalf of American citizens any constitutional right without due process of law.

As human beings we are called to be good stewards of the land and resources we have been blessed with. There is no excuse for polluted waters, barren wastelands, and disappearing forests. No excuse whatsoever. Who's fault is that? Yours, mine, and especially the excessive government regulation that incentivizes pollution.

Children just shouldn’t go hungry or have to live in fear BUT the answer isn’t an expansion of government.

Helpless children shouldn’t suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them BUT excessive government regulation hinders their protection.

Homeland security does not trump civil liberties and constitutional rights.

These statements are just a sample of what I believe.

Not only political people should have a grip on what they believe. But the beauty of living in a country characterized by freedom is that we aren’t forced to care. We aren’t forced to justify our political choices. We don’t have to explain switching parties. We don’t have to give an excuse for not being politically active.

That’s the beauty of living in America. I don’t have to support only one party. I don’t have to sell out to one candidate. I can support a Republican 2016 candidate while still not resent Democrats. I can campaign for a Republican candidates while still find merit in the stances of some Democratic candidates.

I challenge you all to embrace all views while still staying firm in what you believe. I challenge you to become an educated voter and enhance your political efficacy. It’s such a joy to exercise my civil liberties, and I encourage you all to test the waters a bit.