To all the people who put us in the position of having Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton be the primary Presidential Candidates,
It is with deep pain and sadness that I write this. I just mailed off my ballot, I voted on everything but the presidential candidate. I take my right to vote very seriously. I grew up as an American citizen in Taiwan during a very difficult time and saw people, bribed, beaten, tortured and threatened based on their vote, so I know how privileged I am to vote without worry of repercussions from others. I promised myself that if I did not vote in the Presidential section as a stance of solidarity against the injustice that this election has become, then I would at least be heard by my representatives.
I am very proud of the changes that have taken place in America over the last century and I want it to continue. Yet, I feel that we are on a very destructive path. I feel that our political system has deteriorated and become a total joke. I have seen kindergarteners act more graceful than the current political heads. How is it that we, America, the land of the free, home of the brave, have fallen so far as to have Mr. Trump and Ms. Clinton bicker like uneducated, spoiled entitled children (which I grimace at calling them children as I genuinely believe that is an utter insult to children).
I am completely devastated that I have worked so hard my whole life to get where I am and have my choices of president be dwindled down to nothing but a horrid game. I do not feel that our current, black or white way of thinking is appropriate, and something needs to give; after all it is 2016, how is it that we still have such limited options and that ultimately it boils down to Democrat or Republican, to me this approach seems archaic, outdated and unevolved.
What do I tell my daughters, who have been raised to take a stance and do the right thing, support the people that need it and give back when at all possible and to not ever waste a vote as it is one of the most privileged things we can do? What do I tell them about me not voting for a Presidential candidate and why I believe it is the right thing because choosing “the lesser evil” is a cruel bullying tactic that should never be THE option in an election, let alone THE Presidential election. How is our Country supposed to be united as a Nation, through racial and gender inequalities, when political parties cannot even show a shred of human decency for the hardships that we all feel because they are too busy with their pissing match. I absolutely 100% do not feel that the candidates care about us, the people, and I am frustrated, mortified and embarrassed.
I think one of the worst things for me about this whole debacle is that my husband is in the military and has been for 20 years and as a family we have sacrificed, suffered and stood by others who have done the same; we have all banded together in unified belief that things will get better and to continue having faith and valuing what we do. I became a therapist to help combat the massive suicidality that the military is facing; my husband and I even began a nonprofit and provided free therapy to those in need. While I still very much believe in what we do, I no longer believe in the system that is supposed to nurture and govern our Country; the day of the election will come and I will not feel pride, I will not feel honored to live in a society where everyone has the right to vote, I will not beam as I watch our supposed democratic election unfold and wind down. Instead, I will feel sorrow for how our Great Nation has fallen, fallen to the despair of money and egos.
Respectfully,
Hopeful in America
