We’ve all heard it over and over again all throughout this year’s Presidential election: “I’m voting for Donald Trump/Hillary Clinton because he/she is the lesser of two evils.” It seems like there is a general consensus, from millennials especially, that there really is no good candidate to vote for. For a lot of us, we have just recently turned 18 and were so excited to finally get our right to vote. Little did we know, we were about to get caught up in the huge mess that this election really is.
It’s truly disappointing that we have waited 18 years to gain this right to vote and the options we were given are a sexist, xenophobic, racist, all around “ist” man with minimal political experience, and a woman who is known to be a liar, and has experience in politics, but not exactly good experiences.
On top of that, we are constantly being told that our opinions are invalid. I have been reminded time and time again by my elders that “I’m not informed enough,” “I’m too young to know anything,” or “I’m only voting for (blank) because I only keep up with the biased media.” My own father even referred to me as a “young skull full of mush.” Let’s be honest here. Most of us first time voters are currently in high school or college with extremely stressful and packed schedules. Not everyone has the time to keep up with every little piece of this election. We’re doing our best. It’s hard to want to watch the debates, keep track of the polls, and follow up on the candidate’s speeches when your options are Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. However, my age does not invalidate my opinions, views, or most importantly, my vote.
That doesn’t go to say that there aren’t people our age that aren’t completely knowledgeable and up to date with everything regarding the election. There are people that put it at the top of their priority lists this time of year, are active in promoting their chosen candidate, and attend rallies. Unfortunately, the reality is that this is not how it is for everyone. It’s not that we don’t care, we do. We are just as concerned about the well being and future of our country as someone who has voted in numerous elections. Afterall, it’s going to be our country to take care of soon enough. However, it’s important to recognize that we are new to this. Growing up, we never had to care about taxes, foreign policy, or anything political for that matter. We never really cared because it wasn’t our problem. We didn’t feel like it directly affected us. So unless you grew up in a household where your parents instilled the importance of politics and our country’s issues in you since you could sit up on your own, this is the first time you have had to start paying attention.
Now, we are transitioning into adulthood, and with that comes monumental responsibility. We now have to care about taxes because we’re going to pay them. We have to care about the education system’s policies because our future children will be attending schools. We have to care, and pay attention, to all of it. Or, at least we should. I think that we can all agree that this election is unlike any other. Instead of focusing on the actual issues and ways to improve our country, it seems as if it is just one big game of “he said, she said.” For months, and at the debates especially, they have focused more on beating each other down, arguing, and pointing out absurd reasons why the other should not be President. And that’s what the media covers, because, well, it's the media. That means that the first time voters who don’t have a particular interest in politics and don’t do extensive research before casting their vote are voting solely based on the inconsistent media that they see. Answer me this: how are any of us millenials and new voters supposed to understand anything, want to be involved in our political system, or become educated enough to form our own opinions when all most of us see is the two candidates ripping each other apart during our first election?
I don’t have an answer.
Even though it is paramount to have a qualified, intelligent leader of this country, it’s important for us to remember that America will still be America when it’s all over. Donald Trump won’t be able to stop kids from bullying others on the playground. Hillary Clinton won’t be able to prevent someone from stealing your purse in a supermarket. When it comes down to it, we are the future leaders of this country. We, as these future leaders with morals, values, and standards, are the ones that have the power to shape our communities into what we want them to be.
So, millennials, educate yourself, since neither the media nor the candidates won’t do it for you. Read and learn about the politics of our country, and form your own opinions. Don't listen to the comments your distant relatives attack you with on Facebook whenever you post something even slightly political. Get out and vote. Remember that your voice matters, your opinions are valued, and you have the power to make the future of this country a brighter one.
