For the first time in my life, I truly
have no candidate to support in a presidential election. I truly see no
effective difference between the two major party nominees. I will likely vote
for Gary Johnson, as I believe him to be the most honest, trustworthy, and
overall best candidate currently running (although Evan McMullin is an
appealing choice as well), but I carry no emotional attachment for either
Johnson or his party, and disagree with both on a substantial number of issues.
Realistically, either Trump or Clinton will be the next president, and it can
be sobering and slightly depressing to stay on the sidelines.
The silver lining, however, is that I no
longer feel any constraints on pointing out the flaws of one candidate or
another, simply because I hope for a certain outcome. Both are terribly flawed
candidates. Previous candidates I have supported, for both national and state
office, have had flaws as well, but because I wanted them to win and saw them
as infinitely better than the alternative I would often hold onto those
opinions which could negatively affect the outcome I preferred.
This election, however, all of us who
remain #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary can regain some intellectual honesty we
may have lost over the last few election cycles. Neither of the two major
candidates want or need our support, and most of the minor party candidates
have significant flaws, as well. This election gives us a chance to truly voice
our opinions, tell it as we see it, and hopefully regain some independence from
the opinions and pressures of others in the process.
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