Politics and Integrity

  We all understand how important this election is.  We all know how it can be: overwhelming with all the questions, ("Who are you voting for?" "What do you think of this policy/that choice?" etc.), boring with all the arguing on every channel and horrible political advertising that just makes you want to shut your television off.  I've never really been a political person because of these things, and the mere fact that I normally don't pay attention.  Since the start of this news-writing course, I've noticed some trends that happen a lot if you actually know what's going on in politics.
  The first time someone ever asked me who I was voting for was tonight at work.  I knew the moment he came up to my register that somehow we would end up talking politics, (maybe it was the huge Romney button attached to his and his wife's jackets...).  He asked me casually who I was voting for, and I told him I didn't know, because I genuinely don't know.  I hate voicing my opinion because if you even remotely disagree with the person you're talking to, a fight ensues.  Needless to say, we didn't get in a fight, (because I never really answered his question), and I was able to walk away from that uncomfortable moment unscathed.
  I really hate it when people don't respect your opinion.  I understand that there are going to be those people who try to sway you this way or that, but just give it a rest, will you?  No matter how many times you tell me that Romney will have a better education plan or that Obama will make life better for the gay and lesbian communities, it probably won't make me think any different.  I've seen enough in this election to know that both candidates are skating on thin ice and neither one of them is truly good for this country.  Unfortunately, Romney seems less intelligent when he's in front of a camera then in person, but he seems to be closing the presidential race gap slowly but surely.
  I just don't appreciate it when people yell at you for believing in something.  If I had told that guy at work that I was voting for Obama, he would've told me that I was making a terrible choice and that I should consider Romney instead because of reasons A, B and C.  Not taking into consideration that I may be a stupid Liberal hippie-ass who doesn't know any better and attacks poor, innocent Republicans without warning.  Fortunately, I'm good at my job, so I faked a smile and agreed with whatever he said.  His wife proceeded to bombard me with a telling account of a political chat room she had used in which a liberal punk shot down a defenseless Republican girl for valuing Romney.  I'm just sick of the bullshit and I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not.
  So, for future reference, at this point in time I have no idea who I'm voting for, or if I'm even voting.  Yes, I said it: I don't even know if I'm going to vote.  It's not that I don't want to, (only 30-40% of me doesn't want to), but I'll probably forget or won't have time to drive all the way back home to spend money and vote at town hall.  I honestly don't even know what day it's on.  But that's my right, so anyone who has anything bad to say about it can suck it.  I can't wait until this election is OVER.