11/8/2016: The day of reckoning

Tomorrow, November 8th, America will elect its next President. The days leading up to tomorrow are defined by the nomination of the first woman - Hillary Clinton, and a man of many firsts – Donald Trump. The campaign activities that ensued feel all too surreal, reminiscent of bad reality TV, nasty soap opera, and scandalous tabloid. I’ve seen this kind of drama and craziness in 3rd world countries…. But America??? What is remarkable about this election is how divisive it has become: families stopped speaking with each other because of differences in candidate choice. The candidates’ rhetoric – and therefore the nation’s conversations - have also disintegrated from policy debates on critical national and international issues -- to whose latest scandal revealed is more contemptuous than the other.

It does not help that neither candidate is likeable. She comes across as a controlling, manipulative and cunning “b*t*h”; he comes across as a fast-talking, impulsive, and ignorant “a**h**e”. I will give it to them that both must have good parenting skills, as both raised seemingly normal, responsible, balanced children.

So, where does this leave us? We will know tomorrow. Many are so undecided that they will either not vote or put down their own name. I wish they wouldn’t, I wish despite the seemingly difficult choice, every American makes a choice and exercise their right to vote.

I have never doubted my choice. Sure, Hillary is not likeable, and although her critics will not stop questioning the motivation behind her public service experience, it is undeniable that this woman has devoted her life to public service. America is a very complicated system of government, and it takes a lot more than fast-talk and ranting and raving to make it run. I have not grown any faith in Donald – despite his claims that building his business empire proves his worthiness. His rhetoric has been vile and empty, and he does not embody my values, nor, do I believe, the values that have made America a great country.

I trust in the American people, I trust in the American process, and I trust that every American will go out and vote tomorrow and Hillary Clinton will emerge as our next president.

God bless America!