I have been a Bernie Sanders supporter from day one.
The first time I was able to vote, I had the great privilege of voting via absentee ballot for him as a U.S. senator from Vermont in 2006. My family has been voting for him in Vermont since the 1990s.
I consider myself a part of Bernie Sanders' political revolution.
I was more than thrilled to work hard as a volunteer for his campaign at the Democratic National Committee Summer Meeting last year, at the Minnesota State Fair.
I was happy to go door to door urging people to vote for him in the caucuses here in Minnesota (pretty much singlehandedly handed him the Minnesota primary - you're welcome) and generally informing voters about his awesome policies and beliefs at every chance I got.
I believe that Bernie Sanders opened people's eyes, got people up off their asses and to the polling stations, got people interested in the world around them, and made people decide to run for office - people who otherwise would have been unmotivated to do so.
I believe in that political revolution that Bernie Sanders began, and that we can continue to participate in that revolution.
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We can participate in that revolution by voting in November for candidates up and down the ballot, voting for people in the smaller offices and positions that are hugely important, but about which we rarely educate ourselves before election day. (Guilty.)
We must make smart decisions about House and Senate positions, as well as the plethora of other positions up for grabs this election cycle.
But here's the thing.
There are many people in this country and in this world about whom I care deeply. People who might not have the same privileges as I.
I cannot and will not sit by and watch this country elect Donald Trump because I am stubborn and can't see when my candidate of choice is telling me to vote for somebody else, for the greater good.
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I need to vote Democrat, if only for the Supreme Court Justice appointees, so that my trans cousin can end her fight for custody of her young son, so that unbiased judges will hear cases like hers and grant her the right to present as herself and be the mother she is willing and able to be.
I need to vote Democrat, if only to strengthen gun-control laws to keep my gay friends and family safe when they go out dancing.
I need to vote Democrat, if only to demand harsher punishments and accountability from the police and keep my black and other POC friends and family safe if they get pulled over for a busted taillight.
I need to vote Democrat, if only to insist upon immediate action to counteract climate change.
I need to vote Democrat, if only to to retain control over my own reproductive system.
I need to vote Democrat, to ensure that I will receive equal pay for equal work.
I need to vote Democrat, so my young friends and family will be given equal opportunities when it comes to higher education, and not be forced into paying thousands of dollars in student loans. (Mine are down to $33,350.21 now!)
I need to vote Democrat for many reasons.
I cannot accept that we are horrible enough to elect Trump.
I believe in Bernie Sanders.
I believe him when he says that we must elect Hillary Clinton.
So there it is.