It's getting harder to check the news or scroll through Facebook without being flooded with stories about American elections. Whilst Australian media usually has a laugh about the election, Facebook seems filled with vicious attacks on candidates and dreadful memes. Throughout the last few decades, attacking your rival appears to have become the primary goal of the primary campaigns. Candidates seldom discuss a policy without attacking their opponent's stance. This approach distracts from what really matters: selecting the most suitable person for the role. Although I'm genuinely pleased to see my generation engaged in political discourse and participating in the electoral process, there are several matters that have genuinely troubled me:
1. Blindly Following a Candidate.
During my time back home last May, I was taken aback by how many people mentioned they were backing a particular candidate for: 1. Their party affiliation, 2. What their relatives were choosing, or 3. "Since the nation requires a (throw in some general claim
here)". Does this strengthen democratic participation? What's the point of participating in elections if you're unwilling to genuinely investigate what that candidate represents? I discovered that when I spoke with several of these voters, their own political values weren't actually compatible with the candidate they backed. I've also noticed that whilst certain people do undertake their homework (examine candidate platforms, complete political alignment tests, and so forth); find they align better with a different candidate, they continue supporting their initial choice.
2. Only Researching One Candidate.
Kudos to those who genuinely investigate candidates before voting! I admire anyone who puts in that kind of effort. Yet if you're not examining all the nominees and their positions, how can you be certain you've chosen the one who truly matches your values? The remedy for breaking the cycle of political apathy is to examine every nominee with an impartial perspective. I recognise this can be quite challenging. Most of us gravitate towards those whose views seem to mirror ours. If you're anxious about evaluating the nominees fairly, copy each nominee's positions into a document. Then, replace all the names with the candidate you're supporting. Wait a bit before switching the names back and reviewing each position. After reviewing the positions, mark the initiatives you support. There are also some excellent online assessments that ask you to answer questions about topics and rate their significance to you. It will then show which nominees align most closely with you. Once you've completed your research, you can make an impartial choice based on which candidate matches your beliefs most closely.
3. Posting Articles from a Non-credible Source.
This is probably my greatest annoyance. On Facebook, I encounter countless biased, unreliable pieces being distributed. Many are essentially equivalent to The Onion or me penning an article about a candidate. Since I'm not a political analyst in any sense, it would almost certainly be complete rubbish. Do yourself a favour—if you're viewing something online scrutinise everything. Just because it appears on the Internet doesn't mean it's reliable. Viewpoints aren't the same as facts. Undertake substantial research from trustworthy sources, will you! In this manner, when talking through issues with mates and family, you're equipped to have a knowledgeable discussion about your positions and the reasons you back them rather than merely rehashing drivel.
4. Bullying People Into Voting for a Candidate.
Plenty of people write that "not voting for X means you're fine with B becoming president". But honestly, you don't have the authority to dictate who someone else should vote for. If someone backs a different candidate than you do, that doesn't mean they support your opponent. What makes our political system valuable is the liberty it gives voters. If someone doesn't align with Clinton or Trump politically, why pressure them to vote for either? The same applies to those who call others foolish for backing a candidate. Show consideration that others might hold different political views and principles.
5. "I'll Relocate to Canada if [Candidate] Gets In".
Many Americans seem to believe relocating overseas is straightforward. As someone who's lived abroad, I know from experience that gaining permanent residency elsewhere is genuinely challenging. Such remarks undermine the democratic system entirely. Ultimately, it makes us appear like petulant folks upset about the outcome.
6. Assuming That as an Expat I'm Ineligible to Vote.
If you're an expat residing abroad, you are ABSOLUTELY entitled to
vote! Unless you've surrendered your citizenship, you retain the right to
vote. If you're based overseas, you have until August 1 to submit your ballot
request. For additional information, visit www.FVAP.gov. Please enrol and cast your vote! Many policies can significantly
affect those living abroad.
Living abroad during this election has proven quite vexing for me. It troubles me to hear unfavourable commentary about my native country. Yet when I witness these six occurrences playing out repeatedly, I struggle to resist the urge to voice my frustration at America. Whilst I believe my personal voting preference is irrelevant, what truly matters is that we all inform ourselves and acknowledge each other's perspectives. Should I encounter the circulation of false information, I will speak up about it (indeed I've called it out with people sharing content about candidates I'm supporting). Can we, as Americans, make a commitment? Irrespective of whom we're voting for, let's all commit to distributing only trustworthy information. We will refrain from publishing disparaging comments about candidates we disagree with. And we will stop imposing our convictions upon others. Let's strive to maintain greater receptiveness and gain insight from the perspectives of those around us. That is the sole path forward for us to progress together as a nation and prevent the country from collapsing. And most importantly...VOTE! If you don't vote, you forfeit the right to complain.
Until we meet again...
