I voted this week. I didn’t want to. I don’t feel good about it and I’m not proud of it. I’m one of those 8 out of 10 voters that say they are repulsed by this campaign. Repulsed by both major party candidates. I don’t think that either one is qualified to run this country or is deserving of the honor that the office once held.
When you boil it down, I felt trapped. There is no way that I will ever vote for Hillary Clinton. I don’t care who she is running against. I don’t care for what she is running. I will never, under any circumstance, voluntarily help elect her to any office. With that said, the alternative this election was nearly as objectionable. I think, at best, Trump is an actor. But, when it came time to flip the metaphorical lever, I had to make a choice. I had to ignore that both individuals are terrible human beings and cast a vote. I really had no choice other than to vote for Trump. I’m not happy. I’m not proud. I just didn’t feel like I had a better option.
This election has been like no other that I’ve experienced. I’ve never seen one that was more contentious or made more personal by people on both sides. So many times, I’ve seen people say something like, “If you vote for Trump/Clinton, then you’re a (insert insult here)”. I’ve seen this from people that have friends and family that did just that. I think people need to think about things before they make that kind of a statement. They need to remember that a vote for a candidate does not necessarily equal support for that candidate. I have never actually voted for a presidential candidate; always against their opponent.
In spite of my vote for Trump, I am none of the following:
- Racist
- Sexist
- Misogynistic
- Xenophobic
- Ignorant
- Islamophobic
- Hateful
If you think that I am any of these things, then we probably aren’t actually friends. I don’t care who you sleep with, where or if you go to church, what color your skin happens to be, where you’re from, or what your political leanings might be. If you’re a decent person, we’ll probably get along. Treat me with respect, and I will reciprocate. I think most people are that way. The idea that who you vote for immediately classifies you as some sort of “deplorable” is nonsense. Friends, we are all smarter than that. I hope that your love for your family and friends runs deeper than any political allegiance.
I don’t know who will win next week. I do know that regardless of the outcome, if we let it come between friends and family, we all lose.
I think your comments are clear, concise and truthful. I believe a fair amount of the population feels the same way. I am not a fan of mud slinging. I am not a fan of The Clinton Foundation. MORE people are basing this election on “a history making election”. This is the wrong reason to vote for her. I agree about Trump. I agree that he’s not that great, but better than Hillary.
Thanks, Abbie! I appreciate your comments. The idea of electing Clinton as part of a “history making election” is amazing to me. I’m all for a woman being president, but not this woman! It puzzles me that women actually support her. She rode the coattails of her husband, staying with him in spite of his philandering ways, only so she could gain political status. That isn’t indicative of a strong woman, in my opinion. Thanks for reading!
Never have I been more proud that I can call You my Son. You have hit the nail squarely on the Head with those comments. We have indeed all lost this time around. Hopefully the Party elites will get the message and come up with someone truly worthy of the office in 4 years. Equally hopefully We can maintain control of the Congress, an Mitigate some of the disaster the next 4 years could be.
Thanks, Dad!