Do you ever realize how angry and passionate people get when talking about politics? Why does talking about politics with someone who doesn't agree have to turn hateful? I am so glad people care about politics in general. YOU SHOULD CARE. Government affects everything you do.

The fact that people on all sides of ideology gets so upset about another opinion that it has to turn hasty baffles me. Why can't we have a calm discussion with an endgame of understanding the other side of something, and not trying to change their opinions? We are all entitled to have our own opinion. We need to not be closed minded, and come to a helpful conclusion to fix big issues. There is a lot to politics, and I understand being passionate about certain topics. Open your ears, and listening to all side in hope of bettering OUR country instead of getting a point a crossed.

We all have different backgrounds, and we all have different ideals about how the United States should be. The fact of the matter is politics are mostly grey area matters. There are no right or wrong answers, but instead ideas of what we should do. We all have terrible ideas, and we are all bias. I have a professor that always says, “Americans are hypocrites, it's time we embraced it”. It's so true! We are hypocrites by grouping a political party together, and judging them purely for their ideology. We are the same people who say profiling is wrong. We are not all the same because we have similar ideals. Most Americans ride the middle more than one side or the other. I agree with one group on certain matters, and the other about other matters.

The point of having an educated conversation about issues in our country need to be focused on how to fix the problem; not to scream at someone hoping to change their mind. Fight for what you believe in, but also stand for bettering your country even when it means compromise. With this upcoming election we all seem to be passionate, but understanding that no choice in this election is perfect. We have two VERY different people running for president, and it is scary. Maybe instead of calling one side stupid, we should instead have conversation on how to pick better people that people will agree more with. Our government is for the people by the people. This also includes keeping you politicians in check, and not voting for them again if the job isn't getting done properly.

No one ever said politics were easy, or simple. They are extremely complex, and every problem has thousands of things to keep in mind. I hope to see a more open-minded America. Everyone thinks differently, and clearly we need policy change. I challenge you to talk to someone with a different ideology than yourself, and to have a calm discussion about politics.