Random picture of Canada so Clinton's face isn't the thumbnail for this post...
One of the first Facebook posts that I saw this morning was a meme similar to this one:
I was both annoyed and disheartened. First, because I
have heard the “What difference does it make?” sentiment used in a different
context when someone resigns themselves to vote for his/her party
candidate. Second, because I had spent the last two evenings delivering yard
signs to friends who are taking a step away from party lines to vote for a
third party. The overall sentiment among these friends was that it is
refreshing to have options and not feel confined to the two party system. The
idea of voting “straight ticket” has never been appealing to me but especially
not in 2016. In this election, I believe “straight ticket” votes send a
message: “We are okay with the status quo.”
I have mulled over my thoughts for the last couple of
hours and while I will not tell you
who to vote for, I wanted to express my thoughts on my decision about whom I
will vote for in the presidential election. I should start out by saying that I
am far from eloquent and I am not politically savvy. I’m not looking for an
argument about platforms, scandals, impropriety, and investigations but I
wanted a forum to share my feelings about what I have seen and felt the last
few months.
The Primaries
During the Primary Election, I researched the platforms
of several different candidates and found a few that I felt okay voting for. Trump
was not one of those candidates. As the date of the Primary Election in Alabama
approached, I realized I lived in a “bubble”. Trump was leading the polls in
Alabama and several other states yet I only knew of two or three friends who
supported him. I created a very unscientific survey with a non-random sampling
and the results
confirmed my bubble theory. My friends did not like Donald Trump.
Finding a Candidate
After the Primary
Elections, I felt a little lost. I knew that what I envision for the future of
this nation did not line up with the message I was hearing from Trump or
Clinton (survey results again confirm that I live in a bubble and that many of
my friends felt the same way about Trump).
I felt like my only option was another 3rd
Party candidate or a write-in (my bubble is still intact on this issue as
well).
I hear a lot of people insinuate that a vote for a 3rd party is merely a
protest vote or a wasted vote. For me, it’s a about feeling comfortable with a 3rd
party candidate’s stance on the issues, feeling empowered by their message, not
being put off by their character, and voting for someone. In early August, I posted:
"I often forget the struggle that others have
gone through so that, in 2016, I have the opportunity to go to the polls
and vote. This year, I've started to dislike the terms "waste
your vote" and "lesser of two evils". I think those terms
minimize individuality and accountability."
I looked into Gary Johnson but his platform
didn’t resonate with me but I knew there still had to be other options.
I’m not sure how much whining I had done about my dilemma
but enough that on August 8th, my friend sent me an email:
“did you see this...
this is what you have been waiting for”
http://www.ldsliving.com/Mormon-Ex-CIA-Launching-Bid-for-the-Presidency/s/82815?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ldsliving
http://www.ldsliving.com/Mormon-Ex-CIA-Launching-Bid-for-the-Presidency/s/82815?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ldsliving
My friend was right.
Principles
I watched McMullin’s launch party, consistently checked the
website to see if McMullin’s platform had been elaborated on (I understand, it
takes time to get a website up and going), and genuinely felt like he was a
candidate I could support.
In early October, McMullin spoke at the Provo Library and his
message resonated with me even more. This was a message motivated by love
of people and of country. That night, McMullin released a list of 13 Principles
for New American Leadership. They were fundamental, conservative principles
that reminded me why America already is great and outlined a plan to help us
move forward. If you haven’t already read them, please do: https://www.evanmcmullin.com/principles
Feardom or Freedom?
Once I had found a candidate who had a platform based on
principles, it became even more apparent that some of the other candidates had
platforms based on fear. They feed off of fear of the “other side”, fear of
immigrants, fear of climate change, fear of differences, fear of big business,
etc. At one point, I was a “monologued”
(yes, I just made up that word) by a Trump supporter telling me that if I vote
for a 3rd party candidate, it’s a vote for Hillary Clinton. For 5 or 10 minutes, I listened to why I
shouldn’t vote for McMullin. They were
trying to motivate me by fear. Fear that, heaven forbid, Hillary Clinton would
win or that a terrorist would enter the country as a refugee. And, why would I want to waste my vote?*
*I don’t believe every
Trump supporter feels this way or would talk to me this way – this was just an
example of how not to persuade me by
using scare tactics.
I think we can all agree that this election has been less
than uplifting. A good friend described our current political climate well:
“A divided nation?
No. We have unified into an unholy mob. We rage with a crazed voice that
mystifies reason and faith. All have determined and agreed that the end
justifies the means. Allegiance is to agenda, to self, and to fear. If
something serves our agenda, then it need not be carried out with honor or
integrity. If it caters to self, we will take leave of the dusty wisdom of our
grandparents and proudly take up the banner of willful ignorance. And if it
tickles the flames of our fear, we will abandon our hope and gladly follow. To
this end, we are united. God help us.” ~AF
We, as a nation, are better than this. We don’t need to
succumb to fear and hate. We can be open-minded. We don’t have to abandon hope.
We shouldn’t have to make excuses for the person we’re voting for. I refuse to buy into the rhetoric of
fear. I will not vote for a candidate
out of fear for another one. I want to vote for someone who inspires faith and
respect: faith in a greater good, faith in the citizens of our nation, respect
for others’ opinions, and respect for the rights of all people. That is real
freedom.
Thoughts on Party Lines
I saw a comment on a Facebook thread that, at first, was a
little riling and then a became a little defining. The comment stated that it was embarrassing
how turncoat some Republicans have been to the party platform and essentially
the party in general or not supporting Trump. When a party says their
platform is moral, conservative, etc. and then nominates a candidate that does
not represent the said platform, then they have betrayed themselves. If I’m a
turncoat for voting for a 3rd party, then so be it. Above identifying as a “Republican”, I identify as a human being, a Christian, a
conservative, a neighbor, an American. The values encompassed in those identities
should form the basis of my vote.
In response to Utah
voters being told to “come home” to their respective parties, this video was
posted yesterday. I think it describes the dichotomy that’s formed within the
Republican Party this year.
Speaking of coming home….
Utah
I am lucky enough to have been raised in the great state
of Kansas. I spent my college years in Utah and then ultimately ended up in Alabama to
pursue a career. I consider all three states home. In 2014, the population of
Utah was just under 3 million but, like me, thousands of others consider Utah a
“home”. Next Tuesday is a day I wish I could “come home” to Utah. While I am
proud of my vote for McMullin even though I live in a state that will
undoubtedly go to Trump, I’m a little envious of those who are registered to
vote in Utah because they can make a more noticeable statement.
Another post I saw on Facebook said, “The country is wondering what the freak is going on with those Mormons in Utah!!” This was meant as a slam against those voting for McMullin but I think it can actually be taken positively. The nation is wondering what is going on in Utah but because it's different in a good way.
Would it be exciting and historic if somehow neither Trump
or Clinton get 270 electoral votes? Yes. However, at this point, I think that
what happens in Utah on Tuesday is about more than just a protest vote or a plan to
possibly block Trump and Clinton from the White House. To me this is a chance
to show that there is a group of people who will rise above fear and rhetoric.
It’s about standing up and showing the nation that principle and platform
matter more than party lines.
You’ve got this, Utah.
