Young Republicans are constantly under scrutiny for being anti-women, racist and “only being Republicans because Mom and Dad are.” Skeptics of young Republicans would be happy (or upset, whichever way you view it) to know that young Republicans actually vote red because we truthfully believe in conservative ideologies -- and that doesn’t make us bad people. Here are 9 reasons why I vote for the GOP.

1. I don't believe in killing babies.

Conservatives are proudly pro-life. We believe human life is sacred, and to kill an unborn baby for convenience is unethical. It might be your body, but inside is a child whose life means so much more.

2. The world is a scary place, and we need guns to protect ourselves.

With mass shootings and terrorist attacks increasing, GOP party members support less gun control to ensure citizens have the right to bear arms to protect themselves in case of harm. Criminals will always find a way to get guns illegally, therefore we can’t restrict our citizens and leave them unprepared without guns.

3. I actually believe in the Constitution.

The Constitution is the single most sacred document in American history. Our founding fathers went to war and fought for what they believed in for this great country to be born. They laid out the framework for this country, and it is our duty to protect it. Not to stretch it.

4. Police deserve respect.

It is embarrassing that American citizens don’t have respect for the men and women that stand in the way of danger for us every single day to keep us safe from drugs, murder and everything in between. Police officers act in the line of duty and should not face scrutiny for it. While you wake up in the morning to sit in your cubicle all day, police officers are putting on their bulletproof vest and hoping it’s not their last day.

5. To fix the system our vets have.

The men and women who fight for our freedom each and everyday come back to the best country in the world and are uncared for. I vote red because our vets should not come back to a country with a broken system, but a country that will care for vets until they can fully recover from their services overseas, which is something Republicans strive to make possible.

6. Immigration needs to be reformed, and we cannot allow illegal immigrants.

Illegal immigration. It is illegal. I vote red because Republicans understand that this is a problem when we live in a country that wants to send a message to illegal immigrants who broke the law that it’s OK for them to stay. I vote Republican because we cannot accept lawbreakers.

7. I want a small government.

Remember when we talked about the Constitution? It was created and intended to keep the government very small and separate from the lives of citizens. In these past 300 years, apparently that message has gotten lost in translation. I’m a Republican because I believe the government needs to get out of the private lives of citizens. No public healthcare, no common core. Nothing. Stop the government control. That’s not what government is meant to do.

8. So I can live in a secure America.

World events over the last eight years have left young Republicans truly thinking about the world we’re growing up in, and the world we’re going to need to fix if we want to be safe. I vote Republican because I know I won’t spend the next four years in fear of what our country is going to look like at the end.

9. Because Guantanamo Bay needs to stay open.

Listen to the news. This debate is ridiculous. Gitmo needs to stay open so we don’t bring the worstterrorists to American soil. They do not belong. Do you want a killer who hates this country living down the street from you? I didn’t think so.