In just about two weeks, Americans will finally have the chance to make their voices heard in the elections of 2016. Over the last 8 years, under the Obama administration, we’ve made progress, and recovered from the worst economic recession since the great depression, and yet, our country seems to be more divided than it’s ever been. Members from both parties are trying to pass shady bills to pursue their own agenda, even if it comes at a cost to the best interests of the people who put them in office. Donald Trump, one of the two major candidates seeking the presidency has said that the only way he could possibly lose this election is if it was rigged, so we don’t know if he’ll be willing to concede the election, should he lose. I’ve never experienced this type of tension before in our country, and it’s frustrating, to say the least.
A few weeks ago, I asked some of my closest friends (who all happen to support Trump), if they would support Hillary Clinton if she won this election, and I was honestly surprised to hear that only one would wish success for her, and the rest hoped that she was an awful president. I’m a proud Hillary supporter, and I have been since she first announced her intention to run. I don’t think Donald Trump would make a good president, but if he ends up winning, I’ll be the first to wish him luck, and support him through the next 4 or 8 years, because our country’s success depends directly on the success of our leaders in Washington.
It saddens me to know that there are so many people, Republicans as well as Democrats who genuinely want to see the next President of the United States fail, if he or she doesn’t align with their political beliefs.
As I look around at the rising tensions between Secretary Clinton, and Mr. Trump, and the hostility that their supporters have for each other, it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, we aren’t Republicans or Democrats. We don’t look at a fellow countryman and see them as Liberal or Conservative. At the end of the day, we are Americans, regardless of your race, gender, or beliefs. Participating in the political process is an amazing thing, and it’s truly our obligation and right to make our voices heard as Americans. But at the end of the day, we need to remember that country comes first, not political party, and there’s no shame in supporting the next president, even if they aren’t who you would have preferred, and putting country over party.
