With the next election right around the corner, it's time for everyone to chose their favorite candidate and cast their vote. But with Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump on the ballot, a common statement I now here is "I'm Just not going to vote." This is upsetting to me, and after you read this, I'm hoping it will be upsetting to you as well.

The first reason this upsets me is a conversation I had with a friend who has just visited Turkey. The people of Turkey (like in many other countries) do not get the rights to the same freedoms us Americans get. My friend talked to a man who stated this " How we so admire the freedom of you Americans, the right to vote and the right to say how you feel, what I would give to have these same freedoms." You see my friend, you are very blessed. You have a say in what is arguable the most powerful country in the world. Why would you throw away this gift that someone else would give almost anything for?

The second is I wish you would realize how much your own neighbors have given up for you to have this freedom of being able to vote. Thousands of soldiers have died just so you can vote. Thousands of people said goodbye to their loved ones, forever, just so you could have this right. Children growing up without fathers, just so that your voice may matter. By not voting, you are saying that what these people gave you didn't matter. Saying that these people who gave up their life for you, didn't matter. Please, do not let them die in vain. Your voice mattered to them, so it should matter to you too!

However, don't get me wrong, I completely understand where you are coming from. Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump would not have been my first choice candidates. But, now they are our candidates. So, it's time to do some research, even if it is just for ten minutes. The best research, I have learned, is to go to both the candidates websites and learn the policies they are advocating. This way no third party is able to get in the way.

So, Hilary, or Trump your choice, but I'm pleading that you vote this year. That you show respect to the people who would give anything to be in your place, and that you also show respect to people who gave their life so that you may have this right.