So with all the election buzz in the air, I feel the need to give my own two cents on it all (since everyone else seems to, but that is a topic for a different article).

I grew up in a very conservative Republican household (which there is nothing wrong with). As time has gone on, I have developed my own opinions and have come to find myself lost without a political party, but I think that is for the better. I personally hate labels of all sorts from race, to disabilities, to whatever. Why does it matter to everyone what my political affiliation is? I will vote for whom I think is the best candidate, who, in this case, happens to be a Republican right now. Not saying that my opinion can't change. I just don't think a party should define who you want to vote for.

In primaries, I urge the large group of people much like myself, who fall in a more neutral zone, to vote. People who are on the very far left and very far right are the ones who often decide the candidates of the general election. These very extreme views are what hurt our political system. Nothing will get resolved with people focused on parties and not just looking at the country.

The two-party system does have some pros, but in general, I hate it. I feel like I am right back in high school. I didn't truly fit in a clique, so I am just standing in "no-man's-land," shrugging my shoulders. Trying to force people into a mold, or in this case, a party, ends up hurting us all. It forces people to think a certain way. Then when I say I'm not a Republican or Democrat, people still try to stick me in an affiliation as a libertarian. How about no; I don't have a true affiliation.

This country is always saying they want us to think for ourselves, but they are constantly forcing people to conform. It makes it so much harder when the news, which is supposed to be "without bias," is always focused towards helping certain ideologies. The public needs to learn to form their own opinions, research for themselves, and figure out what they believe. Stop saying, "I am this, or I am that." Instead, share your opinion or your thoughts on a certain topic or issue. I would rather hear that and have a discussion than have an automatic hatred because we are different parties.

We need to stop the high school BS that are political parties. It ends up only hurting us because nothing ever gets accomplished. We need to think for ourselves and make our own educated choices.