At the time of the 2016 election, I was two months away from turning 18. I missed out on voting, but I'm glad I did. I was recently asked who I would have voted for, if I could have voted. I honestly did not know how to answer that question. I did not feel comfortable with the idea of voting for one candidate in spite of the other. It was sad that the election came down to that. So, I decided to take the time to examine my morals and how they align with today's issues and society in order to make more informed decisions in regards to politics.

After recent events in Charlottesville, VA, I thought about how I would like to see the world and how God would want it. After quiet contemplation, I decided that I am neither Republican or Democrat, but a devout Christian sent here by Him to help spread the word. Being that I am Catholic, I am pro-life, but being pro-life means so much more than protecting the unborn. It means protecting ALL life. It means standing up for others who can't stand up for themselves. It means helping those who cannot help themselves. It means caring for everyone, despite their differences or similarities. For Matthew 25: 35-36 says,

"For when I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, in prison and you visited me"

Today's government has been skewed from its original purpose. The government does not truly help the people, but places taxes on little things, even death. The government is no longer about the people, but about how much our elected government officials are getting paid. Consent of the governed has lost all meaning. Our Founding Fathers built a foundation so that this wouldn't happen. I have experienced so much hate and hostility on both sides so it does not seem right to identify with one party if they both spew hate slurs towards one another.

It breaks my heart when some of these hurtful words come from the mouths of those who call themselves "Christians." So while I don't side with a political party, many of my beliefs may side with one over the other. But my beliefs are rooted in those found in the New Testament. I believe that it is important to see myself as a Christian first, rather than a conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican. Personally, in order to make an informed, educated vote, I have to remove labels and other "tags" associated with a particular party.

These labels separate us, causing one side to make assumptions about another, leading to hate. I want to be able to vote an official into office raise I truly believe that they will make a difference and make our world a better place, not because they are running for a particular party. We are all humans first and all human lives are precious. I recognize that many people have strong beliefs, good or bad. I just pray that we can all become more accepting and understanding.

I also pray that our government leaders put the needs of the people first rather than their own. I pray that the world becomes a little kinder and we can all come together in love, no matter a person's creed, nationality, religion, orientation, skin pigmentation, etc.

So no, I don't align myself with a particular party, but that does not mean I am not involved in our country's political system. The only party I align myself with is led by the one who saved me, Jesus Christ.