I think we can all agree that this political season has been a total you-know-what show. Instead of the focus being on the basic platforms each candidate stands on, it has turned into an all-out mud slinging between parties and within parties. As a 22 year old about to vote in her second election ever, it has been quite disappointing to watch.
As a communication major, I am well aware that a lot of what the media portrays is manipulated, exaggerated, and purposefully done in order to score higher ratings while also simultaneously pushing their own agendas. Unfortunately, most of America doesn’t realize this. Far too many people exclusively watch CNN or Fox News, and make their voting decision based upon the heavily edited information regurgitated to them. Another group of people will simply vote based upon what their parents or friends say, or what the majority of their Facebook timeline seems to support.
As I hope you can see, this is terrifying. Instead of looking into what each candidate wants to do in office, they blindly cast their vote, which has an obvious effect on all of us. Because of this, I kindly ask people to not go along with the catchy phrase celebrities seem to endorse on Twitter around election season, that of “whatever you do, just vote!” They seem to believe that even if you aren’t sure of what you think is right, they would rather you just show up to the polls and exercise your right as a citizen anyway. Does anyone else find major fault in that?!
I do not want the future leader of my country for the next four years to be chosen by people who have not done their research, who have simply gone along with whoever in their life seems to have the loudest political voice. We have so much at stake as a country. So please, please, carefully and thoughtfully cast your vote. Think not only about what would benefit you the most, but also what is the most realistic and beneficial choice for us as an entire country. Your circumstances might change as the years go by, so think long term and with consideration. We have the power to choose our leader and affect generations to come, so please choose wisely.