Dear Mr. Trump,

Thank you for all you have done this election. You have taught me more about myself, what I used to consider my political party and many of my friends and family. It’s been a long and hard political season, and as my first election draws to an end, I am finding my words now more than ever.

Since I can remember I have always felt as though the Republican party best suited my beliefs. I have always believed that everyone deserves a tax cut, including the wealthy and corporations. I have been pro-life for longer than I can remember. I opposed the Affordable Care Act, and still feel as though it wasn’t the best option. However, none of that is important at this moment. When I pictured my first election, I imagined I would be voting for the Republican nominee, regardless of who they are. I did not picture that I would be voting for a third-party candidate, but you, Donald J. Trump, have taught me that it is better to vote with your conscience and not your party affiliation because the Republican viewpoint no longer meets my opinions.

Why did I decide that you were not the candidate for me? Because even though we agree that we have a serious issue with illegal immigrants entering our country, I do not believe an expensive wall is the answer. I will not vote for you because despite our mutual belief that Planned Parenthood does decent work for those who cannot afford healthcare at hospitals and that late-term abortions should legal only when birth threatens the mother’s life, I know that tax dollars do not pay for abortions and that partial-birth abortions are already illegal. It is because we disagree that all illegal immigrants should be deported that I believe you are not the candidate for me. Have you considered what immigrants add to our economy versus take away? Let’s be honest, nobody else really wants to shovel horse crap and pick apples, but I digress.

It is because of Donald Trump’s running for office that I have learned so much about my friends and family. I have seen people on both sides argue until their lips turn Facebook blue. Why anyone feels as though arguments on social media are productive is beyond me. We all know that we probably aren’t going to change our own minds, so why would we change someone else’s by calling them “deplorables,” incompetent or other names. I have witnessed time and time again the statement “a non-vote for Trump/Hillary is a vote for (insert opposing candidates name here”. Last time I checked, if I choose to vote for a third party or not vote at all, I’m voting for neither you nor Hillary Clinton. People I used to consider friends have unfriended me simply because I chose not to vote for you like I’m a such a disgrace to the United States. Like following my own beliefs and partaking in a democracy is NOT what the United States is based entirely on.

Finally, Mr. Trump, while I cannot fathom why anyone would want to vote for Hillary Clinton either, I just do not believe a man who thinks “locker room talk” is acceptable and that flipping and flopping on the issues is fine, is fit for office. The job of being an American President is stressful and you will be constantly under scrutiny. If you cannot handle an SNL skit, what makes you think you can handle the consistent judgment that will be passed on you by, not just Americans, but the entire world? President Bush lived in a world of scrutiny for the War on Terror, and after him, Mr. Obama lived in constant badgering over nearly every bill he passed and his own nationality. Are you truly prepared for that?

Sincerely,

A Concerned Voter