I've always been a bit of a political junkie, but this election has really weighed on me. I have become incredibly cynical with the state of affairs in our federal electoral process.
On one hand, with absurdly restrictive ballot access rules, and a very un-democratic nominating process, we as citizens do not actually choose who becomes president of the United States. The powers-that-be give us a coin every four years and we get to decide heads or tails. In that way, I empathize with Trump supporters because the nomination process is a farce. It's pretend democracy.
On the other hand, this election has really opened my eyes to the fact that most voters are ignorant and uninformed. Think of the biggest issues facing our country, whatever you may believe them to be. Climate change? Cyber-terrorism? Government corruption/moneyed interests? Restrictions of freedoms and liberties? Tax burdens? Healthcare? National debt? Whatever you may believe are the most important issues, what percentage of voters are well-informed, and have coherent, well-researched opinions on those issues and also know exactly where the candidates stand and what their proposed policies are? I think it's a shockingly low number. Maybe 10%. Maybe 5%. And I say that for all candidates' supporters (some maybe more so than others) and all parties. So, should we really fight for democracy to exist (it doesn't) in our presidential elections?
On finding Trump voters entertaining: I had a roommate who was a Trump fan. He was an immigrant in pursuit of a work visa. I found his support entertaining and I loved to listen to what he had to say. It was very informative to hear the thought process of an immigrant without citizenship, who was also a Trump fan. "He doesn't actually mean that." "It's funny to hear him troll liberals." "His presidency will be so entertaining. Like a reality show!" While these may all be true to some extent, none are reasons to vote for a presidential candidate. That is the type of ignorance that the majority of our country takes into the ballot box. At the end of the day, though, he couldn't vote, so his uninformed opinions didn't bother me. But there are many people like that, saying exactly those types of things, about all of the candidates. They are not entertaining to me anymore.
It is okay to have a difference of opinion, and it's great when people exchange ideas and change their opinions based on information. But people are not operating with any level of relevant information. Here are things I hear people say all the time. These statements may be true, but they all mean nothing. They are certainly not, by themselves, reasons to vote for the president of the United States:
Trump: He's not a bought politician, so he can stand up to Washington.
Cruz: He's a true Christian with Christian values.
Kasich: He seems like a reasonable, nice guy.
Clinton: It's time for a woman president already.
Sanders: The middle class disappearing.
If your reason for voting for a candidate doesn't get much deeper than that, don't vote. Or research the issues.
I Side With Quiz
Compare 2016 Presidential Candidate Positions
Also, expose yourself to the other side and try to argue from their point of view. Read some literature about an issue you aren't sure about, but keep an open mind. If you can't do that, or don't feel like taking the time (a few hours once every four years), then you are a part of the problem, so please, don't vote.
EDIT: There is a lot of blame to go around on this one, too. I, too, am partially to blame for our state of affairs. I consume free media, rather than funding well-researched journalism. I have engaged in political arguments that have only divided people further rather than thought to exchange ideas like an adult. In general, though, are system is not set up for a well-informed citizenship to take part in the political process and influence change. And I do not see that improving.
