The 2016 Presidential Race may go down in the books as one of the most interesting, confusing, tension-filled elections in recent history. With 17 Republican candidates, and six Democratic candidates (although that was quickly narrowed to two) prior to the primaries and official party nominations, things got a little out of hand.
And now it is down to two primary candidates in the final weeks of the presidential race. Two people remain: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Many Americans, political affiliations aside, are completely dissatisfied with both presidential candidates. To many, this election has become a joke, filled with petty lies, backstabbing, and childish behavior. How can we choose one of the candidates to be our president? How?
For some, the answer to the dilemma is voting for a third party candidate. For others, it is completely, and adamantly declaring an abstinence from voting in this presidential election. Rather than voting in this seemingly ridiculous presidential election, many people are actually choosing to give up their right to vote.
Hold on a second. How is this helping the problem? Instead of just withdrawing and refusing to vote, shouldn't you choose a candidate you can at least somewhat agree with and vote for them? If you are dissatisfied with the direction our country is heading, then, I am extremely confused as to how not voting is an answer. In reality, if you are unhappy with the political system, the candidates, and the direction our country has turned and you choose not to vote in this election – one of the most crucial elections in recent years – then, you have absolutely no right to complain about anything.
If you are not voting, do not complain about whomever becomes our next president. If you are not voting, do not complain about how politicians decide to handle foreign policy. If you are not voting, do not complain about the economy, taxes or immigration. If you are not voting, do not complain about how ISIS is being handled, about the Black Lives Matter movement, or police violence. No complaining. None whatsoever.
Your vote is your voice, and you have willingly given your voice away.
So, whether you vote for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or Gary Johnson – please, please vote. In the United States, we have been given the freedom to have a voice when it comes to our government and leadership. That freedom should not be taken for-granted.
Not only that, but voting could be considered a responsibility. It is our responsibility as citizens of the United States to decide the future of our leadership and ultimately, the future of our country. It is our responsibility as citizens to secure the survival of freedom and democracy for future generations. That is a responsibility that should most certainly not be taken lightly.
The 2016 Presidential Election will go a long way in determining the future of our country, and that too, should not be taken lightly. Refusing to vote proves nothing. Instead, it gives an appearance of ignorance and pettiness, and calls into question how much you really believe the privilege of voting to be of importance.
So, whatever you do and whoever you choose, please exercise your right to vote. You have a voice. You can contribute to the direction our nation takes in the future. In some countries, people would give anything to be able to have that freedom. In the history of the United States, thousands upon thousands of individuals have died fighting to preserve that freedom...freedom of speech and of expression, the privilege to vote and to have a voice. Your voice is important, even in this election where the options feel slim.
You have a voice. Make use of it.
