The vote you will make this November is about more than party affiliations and loyalties. Though I am someone who is easily annoyed by politics, I know that this election is about picking a candidate who firmly believes in equality, the common good, freedom of expression, religion, and culture.
I will be voting for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8.
While she has her faults, I firmly support her because her positive attributes far outweigh her past mistakes. Clinton’s life has been messy and the odds have been against her, but that has never stopped her. She has joined a long legacy of American women who believe our gender should never be considered a limitation.
She, like many of us at Hillsdale College, does not know what it is like to go without food, shelter, education, or health care. Despite this, her focus on tackling these issues on our own soil is unwavering.
As first lady, Clinton championed children’s rights to healthcare, supported laws that aid the adoption and foster care system, created the Office on Violence against Women at the Department of Justice, and now proudly stands with Planned Parenthood for men’s and women’s reproductive health care. Since 2015, Clinton has advocated for mandatory immunizations and continued the fight for mental and physical health.
Clinton’s love for people inspires her to fight for everyone regardless of background. If we don’t base our country on love; if we are too quick to judge or condemn others, we will fail as a society.
James 4:11-12 states, “Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
No Christian should support someone who judges as though he was God himself, as Republican candidate Donald Trump does. He has proven himself to be the most unqualified, hateful, dishonest, sexist, racist, and immoral presidential candidate in our history.
As a candidate, Trump has rejected the discourse between conservatives and liberals that has been so vital to the life of our nation. Our democracy thrives on differences in ideas and the voice of the people, but Trump prefers to simply accuse Clinton of pulling her “woman card” when she challenges his disgusting rhetoric. This infantile method of argument is a threat to the very existence of the Republican party.
Even while Trump claims to uphold traditional Republican values, his actions tell a different story. He says he has an abundance of patriotism, but has shown no appreciation for gold star families or our military. He claims his six-point economic plan will restore the economy, but his six bankruptcies show otherwise. He says his candidacy represents law and order, but then advocates violence against his opponent.
Are you confused as to how someone without a consistent political ideology can successfully lead the United States? Me too.
If I have learned anything at Hillsdale College, it is to have a deep appreciation for our country and its founding. Our founders wanted to build a safe place, free from outside rulers that threaten natural and civil rights. Hillary Clinton has fought on behalf of all races, genders, religions and sexual orientations. This country has spent 240 years fighting to become the best nation in the world, and a vote for Clinton is a vote to continue that fight, but a vote for Donald Trump is a vote to render meaningless the hard work and bloodshed spent to gain this nation’s freedom.
Now more than ever, you must consider the repercussions of your vote, because love must trump hate.
Rachael is a senior studying art and exercise science.
