Who are you voting for this election year? Now for the more important question, why? There are many people who vote for a candidate based solely on conditions like party or affiliation. They are not truly informed about the issues and who would be the best leader. This is the equivalent of rooting on a football team because we like their name or uniform.

There are millions of people out there that are preparing to vote Republican or Democrat because that is what their party is. The best part is that most people are only following the conditioning of their parents and not even sure why they are voting that way. I was raised Democrat, and after learning more about the issues I learned that I side with a lot of Republican views. I try to imagine if I never questioned the views. I would be voting blindly.

It is even scarier now because there are a couple more variables thrown into the mix. Many people are not simply voting for a party but for a demographic. There will be many voters going for Obama just because he is black or McCain because he has a woman running mate. It is very scary to think that most people have no clue.

A friend of mine had someone approach him at fair. This person was an Obama supporter passing out stickers and buttons. He asked my friend if he wanted one. My friend said no, and the guy asked why. The response was because he is a Democrat like Clinton and Reagan…Reagan a Democrat?

I had numerous people approach and email me telling me to vote one way or another. When I ask why I should conform to their views they are usually lost. I am not a master of the issues but know enough to hold a conversation. I am also not ignorant enough to think that you will change your views because of my words.

It is very good to discuss issues and candidates. All I ask is that before you speak, do some actual research on your own.