Like all humans, politicians are imperfect people. They may have a perfect plan for dealing with the oil crisis, but their views on health care don't line up with yours. Or they may be too conservative for your liking, but you agree with their immigration policy.
There is never a perfect fit for everyone. There are more than 300 million people in the United States. How are we all expected to choose a leader from, at this point, the three possibilities?
As much as we all want to find the perfect candidate, we will never agree 100 percent with the policies of any single one. Some Americans, discouraged because they don't find any of the options ideal, choose to avoid the decision and refrain from politics. This is the wrong way to remedy this dilemma.
The reality is that one of these three people is going to be the next president of the United States. You may not find them perfect, but as an eligible voting American, it is your duty to decide, if nothing else, which is the least of three evils.
On my 18th birthday, I became a voting citizen of the United States. I filled out my card, checked my political party preference and sent it off to the post office. As my friends and peers turned 18 in the following months, I was shocked to hear how few of them had registered to vote.
It seems some are disinterested in the dog-eat-dog world of politics, thinking that all the talk of bills and laws is boring and will never directly affect them. Some say they don't vote because they are afraid they will make the wrong decision.
I wish they would realize they have a privilege for which people around the world have died. Our country may not be perfect, but we are among those privileged to vote and make it as close to perfect as we can. Giving up the right to vote is giving up the ability to better our town or state or country.
As citizens of the United States, we all have a vested interest in its well-being. It's time that people my age pick up a newspaper and learn how they can change their country for the better.
Feigning disinterest is an awful excuse. Choosing our future leadership is in our hands. To fail to take the time to research and make an informed decision is simply irresponsible. Claiming you don't care who the next president is is like claiming that you don't care what happens to your friends and family.
The future of our country is in our hands. Do some reading. Narrow it down. Make a decision. The future of our country will thank you.
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Maria Costigan of Boxford, a senior at Masconomet Regional High School, just completed a reporting internship at The Salem News.
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