By JP Jarecki, Staff Writer

November 1, 2016

In my time as an intern for the Trump Campaign, I have learned much about the political opinions of voters in the Erie Area. Through endless phone calls and door knocking expeditions,  these being from a variety of different neighborhoods and social classes, a common opinion seems to be held around the nation: neither candidate will work for America. One seems too offensive, the other too corrupt. “I’m not voting for either one,” seems to be the common dialogue that I hear from the average voter.

 

Ok, I get it. I’ve heard it all before.

 

But the truth is, in less than a week the nation will pick our president: one third of our Federal government and the leader of the free world, for the next four years. The power of our military, too, will be given to this commander in chief, for the next 1,460 days. In that time, any number of economic, social, and domestic challenges will plague our nation. Given the importance of this year's election, the question cannot be if someone votes, but for whom they cast their vote.  

 

Domestic challenges are almost guaranteed going to get bigger as the situation in the Middle East develops. The American trend of deposing dictators harmful to Western Democracies only to replace them with even worse alternatives is a trend that can no longer be continued. One candidate will challenge this status quo and ensure that America makes smart decisions abroad. The other candidate, as a previous secretary of state, will likely continue the self- harming trend that has destroyed our relations in the Middle East.

 

Health Care under the Affordable Care Act is sinking under its own weight, and both candidates agree that reform is needed. One candidate will propose a change that will help millions of Americans get truly affordable health care, and the other will likely push to nationalize the industry--like Canada has done. To find out how effective this has been, all you need to do is ask any Canadian how they like their health care coverage. Or, you could just see how many Canadians travel to the United States to get health care.

 

While some hesitations certainly exist in my mind, one candidate does have the potential to make a great change in the fortunes of this country. Self interest and bureaucratic lies (two key trademarks of the Clinton Foundation) will never propel this country forward. I think America is due for a change, and I think that change is in the coming winds.