#thiselectionsucks

I remember this immense feeling of relief and satisfaction when we figured out the root of our disagreement: he felt that a small central government, affording more personal liberties, was extremely important to a healthy society. I placed more value on social services, like healthcare and schools. Neither of us disagreed with what the other one wanted, we just disagreed on how to get there. These conversations, and the ensuing revelation, has colored my understanding of politics and debate all through my adult life.

Anyway, today there’s a big controversy over Hillary Clinton pointing out that a big chunk of Trump’s supporters are constantly screaming ethnic slurs. Trump, the nominee of the “small government” party, wants to use his presidential powers to build a 2,000 mile wall along our southern border and deport Muslims. I cannot, off the top of my head, remember anything that Hillary Clinton has been vocal about that I strongly agree with -- I’m planning on voting for her because her speeches aren’t interchangeable with Dr. Doom’s dialogue balloons from any given Fantastic Four comic.

I've been thinking recently.  I, along with many of you have been super idealistic in who I want as a candidate.  Myself along with many others saw Bernie Sanders as a candidate who progress our nation into the 21st century, and improve upon our many faults as a nation.  However, as much as I hate it, he has lost, in large part due to an establishment looking to quell anything willing to challenge it's authority as status quo, which irked me and a lot of others.  It felt like for the hundredth time that I was being told "No, you're going to like who WE choose for you, whether you as a nation like it or not", which really felt demeaning as an independent voter and citizen.  It certainly did not feel democratic.

However, as bleak as that picture is, after listening to Barack Obama's speech tonight, it made me stop and think...what is most likely to happen IF Hillary becomes President?  Likely, the status quo will be maintained to the highest degree.  Does that make me happy? Absolutely not; we have many problems as a nation we still need to rectify.  However, if the status quo IS maintained, that's not a huge loss either, per se.  Obama has done our country fantastically, and if Clinton is willing and able to at - bare minimum- support what great advancements Obama has brought forward...things couldn't be that bad, could they? I could be facetious, perhaps even naïve. But while Hillary is subjectively weak candidate, with moderate, establishment views on may topics...would she really cause our nation to take a step backwards?

I honestly think, once you take off your idealistic, rose-colored glasses when looking at president, and look at things pragmatically and unbiasedly, you have to think: "Do I this person would make our nation better as a whole".  I personally don't think that is true of Hillary Clinton.  But then you need to think "Do I think this person would cause this country to take a step back?", which after thinking hard, and listening to President Obama...I don't believe that would happen under a Clinton presidency.  It might be a sign of pessimism in the face of one of the wildest, most unpopular elections in United States history, but I believe when you put aside idealistic crusading, Hillary isn't a terrible candidate.  I'm not supporting her.  I might not even vote for her.  Hell, call me crazy, a traitor, a moderate, or what you will, but I truly believe desperate times have called for desperate measures.