It's been several days now since the 2016 primary elections have taken place in California, and I, for one, did not participate. I know, that goes against everything that all Americans should value, the right to vote. This is a democracy, but I just could not bring myself to do it.

Yes, at the end of the day there will be a winner and a loser, whether I or others choose not to participate. When I am asked why I did not vote, my answer is simply, "because it would have been my first time voting, and the fact that it's voting for the lesser of two evils is not how I imagined it."

I remember when I first turned 18, the first thing I did was register myself to vote. I registered because I believed that in order for me to make some sort of change in the world, it would be through the participation of electing this country's future president. I no longer believe that in this election.

As I earnestly pay attention the people who have placed themselves before the world, argue and slander against one another I little by little lose respect in their morals and their values. Each individual stands up on stage and attacks their opponent, yet neglects the stance they are opting to take. In other words, the President is to be the face of the United States, the leader, the person who handles the issues and keeps this country whole. I do not see that in either of the candidates currently running.

With that being said, voting in this election would have been a waste time.

A waste of time because I do not see a leader. I do not see someone who will represent this country well and keep it whole. I do not see the face of the United States on either of these candidates' faces.

Each candidate has their flaws, that is true, but the candidates this year lie, deceive, put each other down, put other people down and that isn't what an election is supposed to before.

Elections are supposed to be about taking a stance on what needs to be done and why it needs to be done. Not arguing, not slandering and definitely not threatening people.