Vote Based On Conscience, Not Fear
Our country should be a mirror. We should see ourselves in its reflection, filling the curves of race, gender and politics outlined on our frame. There are 318.9 million people in the United States according to the U.S. Census Bureau, each with their own experiences. However, as wide as our perspectives may be, we are primarily presented with only two avenues for representation: the Democratic or Republican parties.
Most recently, these avenues have become specialized to either Pro-Clinton or Pro-Trump. Both of these individuals have shoved us away from the mirror, fighting for a glimpse of their own visage. They have succeeded in garnering the support of their respected parties and, based on popular polls, the support of most voters.
However, what happened to the 13.2 million people who voted for Bernie Sanders, whose beliefs would more align with Jill Stein than Hillary Clinton? What happened to the fiscally focused Republicans who voted for Ron Paul in 2012, whose views would align more with Gary Johnson than Trump?
The major dysfunction in U.S. politics is that most people do not vote based on their ideals. Instead, they either agree with the policy positions of one of the two governments or grumble, complaining about a two party system but participating in it anyway. Even worse, some vote based solely on party affiliation, ignoring candidates who may better represent them in favor of tribal loyalty.
Of course, third party candidates are running for office. But most of their supporters are bombarded with the argument that a vote for a third party would be a wasted vote at best or a vote for either Trump or Clinton at worst.
A vote for a third party candidate is not an idealistic decision; it is a realistic one. If we want to both dismantle the two party system, and see our beliefs manifested in our future presidents, we need to vote for candidates who best represent our positions.
As citizens we have one chance to have our opinions heard as in regards to the office of the president, and that is during the election. We should not squander this opportunity by voting in fear, whether of Trump or Clinton. Voting for Clinton to stop a Trump presidency ignores why Trump (and to a lesser extent Bernie Sanders) rose to prominence in the first place, disillusionment with the monopolization of the government by lobbyists and career politicians.
A vote for Clinton or Trump out of fear only succeeds in keeping the two party machines alive, silencing the American conscience. The only way to have more options for the office of the president is to show that there is a demand for more choices.
In this vein, please vote for the candidate who best represents your beliefs, whether it is Trump, Clinton, Johnson, Stein, Rosque De La Fuente Guerrera or Darrell Lane. Failing to do so is as beneficial as not voting at all.
