For many, election season is a time to hide and plug your ears, but for me, it is a time to tune in and pay close attention. Throughout my life, it has been stressed that voting is a privilege and it would be outrageous not to take advantage of this opportunity. Because of this, I was excited to tune-in to the GOP Presidential debate three weeks ago. I was ready to watch the candidates answer hard-hitting questions about foreign policy, healthcare, and the economy, but soon found myself feeling frustrated because the moderators’ questions focused largely on the things that had come out of Donald Trump’s mouth instead of the actual issues..
Although it seems like headlines always aim to catch our attention, I can’t help but sense that something is different this time around. I remember flipping through the newspaper last summer and noticing a poll that compared the candidates running for the Republican nomination. When I saw that Trump was leading dramatically, my first inclination was that it had to be a joke. It is now months later, and Trump has not gone away. In fact, in many ways, he has taken over the presidential race. He’s everywhere: spread throughout the front pages of newspapers, sound bites, and social media.
How can this be? If you asked me a year ago, I never would have guessed that Trump was capable of transitioning from a business tycoon who fired people on reality television to a presidential front runner that takes center stage at debates. As I think about this significant change, I see a few critical factors that lie beneath Trump’s surge. Trump stands out because he states his opinions bluntly, rather than coating them with political rhetoric. This means that he will utilize any means necessary to voice his positions—even if that means calling his opposition “morons and losers” or labeling President Obama “the worst.”
I think this straightforward approach resonates with so many because people today view this bluntness as honesty. For some, there are indeed things about the United States’ current political reality that are disheartening. Trump’s voice has quickly become, in the eyes of many, a representation of the anger building in our political sphere. He not only validates individuals’ frustration but also offers his supporters a method of channeling those feelings by creating an “us versus them” dichotomy.
However, the problem does not lie in people expressing themselves. Individuals should have the right and ability to voice their concerns and ideas—whether by lobbying congress, engaging in relevant discussions, or supporting a particular presidential candidate. However, actions like those of Trump become problematic when they place greater emphasis on exhibiting rage and vilifying others than pursuing justice and developing practical solutions. They raise concern when they steer election coverage and public attention away from critical issues and their implications on our nation and toward matters of “he said/she said.” Although Trump is the current focus of headlines, Republicans are not alone. There is a vast number of people, with various viewpoints, who base their votes solely on frustration and party affiliation, instead of the impact that candidates will have on our country.
Maybe you are tired of hearing about Trump. It might be that you couldn’t agree more with what he says. You may have already made up your mind, or perhaps you’re still deciding. The fact of the matter is: none of us are likely to ever speak personally with Trump. This means, that despite our lofty goals or heartfelt desires, it is implausible that you, or I, will change his demeanor or approach. So what, then, can you do? Watch the next debate, research political candidates and study important issues in order to be a well informed voter.
People have a tendency to prioritize feeling over fact. Yet, we must recognize the power, privilege, and responsibility that come with our votes. My hope is that you would use your vote well—in a way that is rooted not in fickle emotions, but in a desire to see meaningful and effective impact.