“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

I get it. There are plenty of reasons for many to not want to vote for either candidate on November 3^rd. Politicians are notoriously shady. It’s overwhelming to think about needing to take into consideration every.single.policy. There are also the constant and intrusive ads, phone calls, mailings, emails, social media posts ripping on the opposition. Sometimes it is difficult to remember what you even think about it all because it is so in your face causing chaos. Things are said and done that are honestly seem so far above the blue collar middle class citizen’s realm, what does it all even mean and how does it affect me anyway? Dealings with Russia, China. What is the purpose of Nancy Pelosi and Mitch Mc Connell other than obvious drama when either of their names are mentioned? Sometimes I actually felt a little timid, perhaps embarrassed for not knowing or having an explanation for every detail, question, or oppositions retort, I still do. I’m not as knowledgeable as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but thank goodness for her expertise and voice to have eloquently fought for me and others when our feeble minds fell short in getting the point across.

It’s actually really easy to throw in a towel in regards to the whole system of voting and politics. It can leave a bad taste. Why is Rudy Giuliani involved in all of this, shouldn’t he just remain the man who gave New York City and effectively our country hope in a time of great tragedy? Why is this all so in our face? Why does everything feel rushed and pushy? What is going on with the Supreme Court?  Seriously, why are there so many people involved with their own opinions holding everything up?  It seems like it is all just going to keep gathering in this clogged toilet and get stuck regardless because there are way too things in the way. It’s exhausting. It’s annoying.

When I was first registered to vote in a presidential race, it was between Al Gore and George W. Bush. I didn’t vote, primarily because I was in this college bubble where I didn’t understand politics, voting, etcetera and slightly shamefully now, didn’t really care. I believe I registered only because it asked me if I wanted to be on a license renewal form. I also don’t recall a lot of hype around voting at my school. There was Rock the Vote, from MTV, but it all kind of felt unrelatable to me. There wasn’t as many resources for me, the young voter, and I didn’t seek them out on my own. I really didn’t know enough about any of it to feel informed, and I would like to say that’s why I didn’t vote, still not a strong reason, but that’s not true. I simply was young and uneducated in all of that. And so when you’re a wee bit ignorant to the fact that whomever is in office will affect you and you just want to have fun, well then you end up not voting.  I didn’t even think twice about it. My mindset was more than likely, no harm, no foul.

To be honest, had I voted, it more than likely would have been for George Bush because that is who my family was going to vote for, he was a Republican. End of discussion. In my head it went like this: we go to church, you go to a Christian college, your parents will vote republican, you then are a Republican. To be fair, and in my young defense, I still do straddle party lines on some issues. I am certain that when needed to be lumped in a category, many would place me in the Liberal Feminist Democrat pool, but I’m not sure I am completely that. It is simply that for some time now, specifically the last 4 elections, my views and opinions seem to have better aligned with who was running for the Democratic Party. I know that’s confusing, if my stance is that, then I am that. Not necessarily.  I just am not a one issue voter, perhaps not even two if I’m being honest. I also take a lot into consideration when choosing to support a certain candidate and running mate.  I am also a really a huge judge of character. With that being said, I typically always have an open mind, I believe in grace, forgiveness, hard work towards change. Lord knows I have needed my own fair share. I put my trust in those that I find most worthy. However,  I also don’t just form these opinions off of one or two incidents positive or negative.  And I also understand, that in many cases in politics, it’s choosing the lesser of two evils. And you shouldn’t not vote for a person just because you heard they are not a nice person. The opposition feeds this to you on a silver platter and wants you to believe that. They fight dirty. I encourage you to form your own opinions, and then vote with your gut. Who’s character is something that you relate most with? Who do you have the most trust in to lead this country to a place you are content with? Do your research. Politicians aren’t always the greatest moral examples of what I would consider a good person, but also there is massive amounts of untruths flying around out there, especially now, to go along with the facts. Consider all of this. You can fact check into the wee hours, I promise, it can be entertaining, plenty of credible sources are doing the hard work for you, google away.

 Not surprisingly, could seem cliché, but what piqued my interest in anything political was Oprah Winfrey. I was a hardcore Oprah Winfrey Show watcher and everyone knew it. I used to run on a treadmill in the weight room at my college, and it was well known that I came to run daily from 4 to 5 pm and was taking over the television to watch Oprah. This was before the time of blue tooth and multiple tvs in a gym and so every guy in there that was lifting weights and looking at themselves in the mirror, was also going to be listening or watching Oprah by default with me. I did my civic duty. I’m also not sure why I got a say in what was on the television or not, but I tend to think that anyone who is going to run on a treadmill for sixty minutes straight can make that call. Regardless, one episode featured a then senator from Chicago. Prior there wasn’t a politician that I found interesting to listen to. There wasn’t issues that they discussed that seemed important to me or something that I too could have an opinion on. Like I said, I didn’t think any of it pertained to me. Remember, bubble. However, I was fixated on their discussion. After the episode concluded and for quite some time after when anything political came up in conversation, I continued to discuss him, many times simply stating that if that man, Barack Obama, were to ever run for president, I was voting for him. He didn’t once lend himself to that option in the show, he just talking with Oprah about current social and political issues. It didn’t occur to me that him being a black man was of any significance because I was again, ignorant. However, with this new found interest, and with a bachelor’s degree under my arm in social work, I became more and more aware of injustice, equality, humanity, unequal rights, and I wanted to hear from more and more people, like Barack Obama, in leadership positions that were seemingly like-minded.

I am no activist. My ‘platform’ is social media. My service goes to those in my home, community, and raising stable, wise, well-loved and informed kids with my baby's daddy. However, what I have learned is that I am not alone in my thoughts. Despite coming from a conservative Christian upbringing and schooling, there have been many in the Christian community that share similar views and opinions to my own. I don’t find it that I am manipulating those beliefs to fit my politics, I find it making a clear and conscious decision based upon what I find just, true, and fair. You can argue with me about it, or you can just respect it, like I you. I’ve gone around in circles plenty of times, not really my thing. I also find there is a little bit of grounds I can stand on being that I am just about 42 and am good with where I am at right now in regards to the subject of whom I will cast my vote for. I am simply imploring you to find your own ground, and for crying out loud, stand on it, and then vote to keep it.

Clearly, I cast my ballot for Barack Obama as my first presidential vote. I felt confident and solid in this decision and his platforms. Did I agree with all the 'blue'  policies he stood for, no, however, those issues that I found most personal and important to me, he aligned better with. Please, please do not be a one issue voter. Also, please take into consideration that there is not one perfect human candidate to represent and lead this country, it is impossible. Those saying, ‘I don’t like either candidate, so I’m not voting,’ is a little on the ignorant side of things. I did not call you ignorant, I just perhaps think it seems a little ignorant to not vote because your perfect candidate isn’t running. I’m not sure that person exists. Educate yourself in those issues and characters that best suit you, your family, your kids, your friends, your workplace, your community, so on and so forth.

Obviously, me casting my vote for Barack Obama is my political success story. It was historic.  I did my homework, casted my vote, and Obama was president…times two. Of course then being in this victorious position in regards to voting, one might think, I know my shit, clearly the best candidate won and I helped put him there…I know my policies and we are moving in the right direction as a nation, and my vote was heard. Ummm, no. I was, and am still just a wee little baby when it comes to all things that go on in Washington DC that affect our nation. I am not Olivia Pope, and I need to sit on down. Things are constantly changing…laws, policies, social issues, the economy, hot topics…it literally is overwhelming to take it all into consideration and keep up. I GET IT.

It is easy to say no pick is a good pick, that they are only out for personal gain, it doesn’t matter what I think, F the system, the don’t care about the little people, just corporate America. HOWEVER. People actually died for you to have that right. I sound really patriarchal when I say that, but it is so true. They gave us the power to be heard. Who is president affects your quality of life, not only yours, but if you have children in your life, it affects them even more.  What do you place in high regard that best suits your way of life? When put like that, it sounds selfish to not take a stand. Don’t have kids? You have friends, neighbors, family. What do you think is best for them, and what candidate best represents this? Do you like having health insurance? Do you want it to be more affordable if you have it or not? Education, this is HUGE if you have kids. Affordability, equality, quality. Speaking of equality, how about human equality, do you like the way things are or do you expect more? Social Services. Women’s Rights. Taxes. Immigration. I could go on and on. And I find it impossible to believe that no one has issues that they want to protect or change.

I’m not going to tell you it’s a cop out not to vote. However, voting is fundamental. I won’t even tell you here who I think you should or who I am voting for. I’m sure you can assume, high five, but I just ask that you consider your vote and your voice. There are countless people all over the world that would and have given up so much for just this one freedom you have. You have a golden ticket. Use it. Use it for your kids. Use it for your family. Use it for your community. Your neighbor. Your friend.

I encourage you to find your own sources that provide you understanding and clarity as to why you are voting the way YOU ARE PERIMITTED TO! Mine was Barack Obama. I found him inspirational, hopeful, and genuinely invested in the well-being of all Americans. Since first hearing him speak, I have done a lot of reading, research, observation, and discussing, but do not let that not overwhelm you. You can completely disagree with me, and that is ok so long as you are informed as to why you don’t.  You can easily access all the hot topics surrounding this election, as well as those issues that are important and pertain to you, by just hitting up google and reading some articles from credible sources.  

There is so much going on right now that is centered around equality and standing up for what our population find true and just for the American people. Voting is the easiest and most powerful non-violent action you can do for those rights that you find imperative to our nation as a whole, do not pass on this opportunity. Go stand in line with your fully charged smart phone and a warm cup of coffee and feel good about the fact that you are standing up for something, anything, by casting this vote. Get your sticker, take a selfie, and go home and get ready to tune into George Stephanopoulos on November 3rd, you’re in good company.