This is a tale of how I went through so much just to become a citizen and ultimately cast the easiest vote in my life.
I was born from Cd. Juarez, Mexico in 1988 and moved with my family to the US in 1992. As a kid my childhood was horrific and not something I never want to discuss. It was so bad that I was taken away from my family and taken in by Foster Parents. Throughout my life, it was hard to adjust through life and not realizing where exactly I was. I spent time in Miami, San Juan and other cities to try to get my mind off of things. Leaving my depression aside, life was pretty typical for me who was not yet a citizen and not able to do the things that most Americans take advantage.
As I got older, I became involved in politics the first time when Bush was president. I used to get into heated debates with others because I felt they were lying or trying to defend his horrific legacy. Of course, I did post in another diary about how I ended up part of the Alt-Right. But that’s in the past now as I have become more self-aware and realized that I was wrong.
In 2015, I reentered politics when I heard that Bernie Sanders was running for president. I always enjoyed watching him on TV and hearing him speak on the issues. Even though I couldn’t vote, I really wanted to vote for him and give him my support. So with my mom’s encouragement, I got an application online for my citizenship in December. By February I went to get my biometrics and then by April I got my interview. Two weeks later, I got my letter saying that I was a citizen and took my oath on May 8, which is my birthday.
Even though I missed the deadline for the Texas Primary I still wanted to support him. By the time the convention for the Dems ended, I was not happy with the decision and unfortunately I ended up getting almost banned here for endorsing Stein over Clinton. But as time went by I made the following revelations:
Gary Johnson couldn’t even name a single foreign leader, knew nothing about Aleppo, supports private prisons and Citizens United. Hey Sanders supporters, this is not a guy you want as president.
Jill Stein thought that Wi-fi caused cancer and believed that vaccines caused autism. To me, she’s no longer viable as a candidate.
Trump is Trump. I want nothing to do with this asshole.
I have many policy disagreements with Clinton, but ultimately she was the better choice because if we want an agenda that will for people, we need her alongside Sanders and Warren. Plus, both these senators could hold her accountable if she does things that benefits the powerful.
And to the remaining Bernie or Bust folks, let me put it this way to you: I am a libertarian socialist or anarcho-syndicalist depending on who you ask. I know my philosophy will never be implemented but that’s not the point. Ideas matter more than philosophy and that’s how we get things done. Idea wise, I am an extreme civil libertarian, support free markets (I mean markets that are free from corporate interference), and support human rights. We need to fight for ideas and realize that our political philosophies don’t work in the real world.
Voting for the first time with my mom, I did not see any pro-Trump campaign signs. In fact even she noticed a lack of Trump signs. But if you were to go to west El Paso, there are some Trump supporters who live in the West Side or Upper Valley. Seeing them in person I ask myself why they hate this country so much? This country that allowed me to vote and yet they whine about not getting things their way. When they talk about a rigged election, what they really mean is that people like me are voting for Clinton and they don’t want that. They want to disqualify every Clinton vote so that Trump can win.
Not this time. I won’t let hate win and I won’t let these people ruin the lives of others. I am proud to be a citizen of this country and this is the first time I say that. But we need to make sure that our country improves for everyone.