With so much debate surrounding the direction of America’s future, the public appears torn in every aspect possible. With the November 2016 election nearing closer every day, worry, argument, and a gentle touch of turmoil seems to pin the nation’s public into a choked and panicked position consumed by the unknown.

No matter who wins the election, one thing for certain lies in the utter disconnect between the people and leadership. Some voters want radical change; others want persevering sameness. Should the government move toward a more laissez-faire economic system? Should the country embrace liberalism? Of course, it seems since the beginning of America’s settlement, the nation always discovered a way to divide into inevitable parties throughout its history; however, this campaign’s ability to gain an unusual popularity yields a greatly heated divide in today’s American society.

“Conservatives and Republicans have been looked at as opposites to liberals and Democrats,” senior, Carter Gass said. “However, they are both rather moderate compared to other countries like Communist Cuba or India who has a laissez-faire economy completely, so I think people are starting to get tired of the moderateness and want change.”

With this pronounced call for significant revision, whether through the dramatic Donald Trump or the left-winged Bernie Sanders, it’s clear America wants to avoid the monotonous unfairness and corruption of Washington today.

“I just hope that [the country gets] something done because the past eight years have been fairly uneventful,” senior Kristina Valtierra said. “Because we’ve had a Republican congress and a Democratic president, change has been difficult to fulfill, and it’s sad to see that.”

With everyone wanting change, what modifications truly need underscoring? Since, America obviously avoids a destitute nature when compared to developing countries like Uganda, what really needs to be done as objects like finding clean drinking water and suitable shelter are not issues of the common American?

“I hope [the next president] addresses the future by getting [America] out of debt and establishing allies,” junior, Lindsey Lightfoot said. “I also want more focus on the betterment of each individual and the education system.”

But are the goals of the common American feasible? With division abusing and corrupting even the voters, can progress truly be accessed without unity, especially when a great deal of young, future voters lack an informed mind ready to decide on a candidate?

“I don’t watch the debates,” junior, Levi Latson said. “I don’t feel informed enough to make this big of a decision, but I still plan to vote because I like to make decisions with the country for my country.”  

With many making comments like the aforementioned, it’s clear the country’s youth, specifically, lacks preparation when trying to determine the morality of hot political issues like the debate surrounding Ted Cruz’ eligibility for President, the battle against Trump’s outward lack of political correctness, the call for more government regulation through higher taxes from Sanders, and the Hillary Clinton email debacle.

“I honestly don’t know who I’m rooting for right now, but if I had to choose I’d probably go for Trump because he seems like he’s willing to do things right because he’s uncompromising and I want a dictator for president,” junior, Kaleb Engel said.

In contrast, some future voters maintain insightful stances concerning controversial issues within the campaign.

“I am rooting for anyone so long as it’s not Trump,” junior, Bud Nelson said. “Trump has a large following because he is a public figure. He’s not running for office; he’s running for popularity. He’s got extremely abstract views which get the attention of the public, but I can’t say I can agree with him.”

With the presidential race gaining more popularity as the campaign floods all forms of the media, it should be noted opinions facilitate worthy debate; however, ignorance yields an American future absorbed in uneducated conflict. Those like Valiterra avoid fueling the fire of ignorant fighting.

“I’ve seen every single debate,” Valtierra said. “I do feel informed. I’m very passionate about politics and I think it’s very important for people to think about and be informed on how they vote because it directly affects the common people of the country.”