Are you planning on voting in this year's election? If you have not registered to vote, click this link to quickly register yourself and become an active citizen.

I know politics can be such a touchy issue; people are afraid of speaking their opinions or they are offended by others'. But why does it have to be this way? Are we not privileged with the freedom of speech and the right to vote for a reason? Politics are centered around and built upon our opinions, so how can we elect officials that support our beliefs and aim to create a world we want to live in if we are too afraid to even speak our mind and have these open conversations with each other?

The truth of the matter is, voting is extremely important. Every election season I hear similar excuses when it comes to why people don't vote: "My vote does not really count", "I do not like either of the candidates", "I am not informed enough about the candidates", "I do not like politics".

I'm going to break down each one of these invalid excuses and explain why they are a bunch of bull.

My vote does not really count.

This one drives me nuts because for all the people that say this, if they voted, I bet their votes pooled together would make a difference. Honestly, whether your vote will change the course of the election or not, what does it hurt? We are granted the right and people have lost their lives for us to be given the right to vote. As a woman, I know many people fought for my vote to count and I do not believe that should be discredited. Is our election system flawed? Of course it is to an extent, but maybe your vote could get an official elected who wants to work on perfecting the election system.

I am reading a book called Soul of a Citizen by Paul Rogat Loeb and he speaks about how we want social change but we allow fear to hold us back from the incredible calling we have on our lives. We, too often, shy away because we do not want to be the only one standing against something, so no one stands up at all. At the end of the day, my point is, a large wave consists of many tiny water drops. As one person, it is hard to see how our one measly vote will help, but that is precisely why it is so important that we get as many water drops involved as possible so that we can create a giant wave.

I do not like either of the candidates.

So what? You do not agree with either of them so you are willing to throw your voice away completely? First off, I have a hard time believing that you do not agree with one of them on even one policy or plan. Secondly, since when did that mean we discard our rights as citizens? Does that mean we should give up our U.S. citizenship for four, maybe eight, years while one of those candidates claims the position? Of course, I have heard the comments such as, "If ________ becomes president, I am moving out of the country", to which I have to wonder where people become so dramatic, but I digress. Not liking either of the candidates prompts these few suggestions: get educated deeply about as many policy and platform ideas of each candidate as you can and vote anyway based off of those, try to have a more open mind, research your beliefs and make sure you have looked at and understood alternative options, and advocate for your beliefs. Being a citizen not only gives us the right to vote on election day, but also to vote every day with our actions by educating others and advocating.

I am not informed enough about the candidates.

Well, we live in an age where information is the most accessible it has ever been in history. The Internet, although full of flaws, is a wealth of information when it comes to politicians and their stances, past and present. We have television, also biased, but has coverage of politicians debating and speaking about their platforms. We also have one other to talk to about politics and bounce ideas off of each other... if we would ever get out of our comfort zones, get over ourselves, and learn to have adult conversations without throwing tantrums. And no, I am not saying Facebook fights about politics are how to have mature conversations about these topics. Controversial issues will only remain controversial until we talk them out. They are like knots in a rope. The longer you leave them there, the tighter the knot gets and the harder the damage is to undo. Respect and open-mindedness go a long way when talking about sensitive subjects.

I do not like politics.

Do you like that if someone steals from you, you will get justice? Do you like that you can put money into a bank knowing that it will be insured? Do you like knowing that when another country wants to attack us, we have people risking their lives to protect people they do not even know? Do you like that your minimum wage job cannot pay you $1 an hour? Do you like getting student loans, if you do, to pay for your education? If you answered yes to any of these.... you have an interest in politics. Politics run our country, whether you believe it should or not. Our government dictates what happens to our money, how much we pay in taxes, your justice if wrong is done to you, our safety within the nation and globally, and so much more. On top of that, we dictate how our government is run by our voices, and one way to voice our opinions is by voting. If we do not speak up about our desires, we have no right to open our mouths to complain.

So again I say, if you have not yet registered to vote, please click this link to make the first step toward creating a better future.