Our country is founded on a loose meaning of the word democracy; a misconception that one voice can make a difference when in reality important voices are often muffled. We live in a rapidly moving world both socially and economically that has put our country as a whole on a stage for change. Many Americans are angry with the road we have been traveling down and are desperate for a switch in the normal. This anger fueled a fire of harmful rhetoric and open ended promises, that in the end could not be put out.

My fear is that this fire will continue to burn with smoke masking the people and citizens suffering because of it. We established our country on the idea that the people matter and the people will have a voice in the face of oppression; what do we say to defend ourselves when the majority of people were not listened to?

I am a firm believer in the system of checks and balances that has guided our country to this point. I am a firm believer that our citizens will not forget the struggle or heartbreak from which we came. This is an opportunity to put on our helmets and battle the fire of hate and fear we are currently facing. With open minds and open hearts, it is time to make a change.

Regardless of what side of the spectrum you fall on, it is time to make your voice heard. There is no more time to hide behind the smoke. The feelings of Americans will no longer be muffled; it is time for action and reform.

This is no longer about what candidate you support, but about what kind of country you want moving forward. Do you want to live in a country that is based on hate? Do you want to live in a country that hides in fear? Do you want to live in a country that will let one person decide our future?

It is time to extinguish the uncertainty and shape our country into something we all want to be a part of. Change is what we wanted, and change is what we will get.