My mind is an easily moldable piece of sponge dry and thirsty for whatever the media, my parents, and other prominent people in my community seem to 'think' they can soak into it. I say this because I will be a first time voter this election. A newbie. A political novice. Surely incapable of having an intelligent opinion, so the older generations try to give me some. Gee thanks.

I get it, I'm the new kid. A Reagan baby that was in first grade during the Clinton administration, all I really remember experiencing is Bush...and that's a scary thought.

My generation is the new recruits being pulled towards two parties that think they are superior to each other. When I registered to vote several months ago I remember staring at the options for what party affiliation one considers themselves. What should I bubble in, republican? My parents are both republican, my dad especially, so I've grown up with this mindset, but I honestly don't 'feel' like one.

I'm pro-choice, believe in gay rights, and feel the war in Iraq was poor decision. So, if I decide to consider myself a gigantic pachyderm they'll sense my liberal tendencies and kick me out of the club. So, maybe bubbling in democrat would be a more suitable choice, but then again I think we should drill for oil in the states while searching for a good alternative, I think we should uphold the second amendment (maybe with harsher restrictions). Needless to say I'm a middle-of-the-road-kinda-gal, and in this day in age it's pick a side or shut up.

So as I contemplated what to bubble I started to laugh thinking that choosing a party is like choosing a persona, like choosing a huge part of yourself, and I don't want to brand myself with a one-sided way of thinking. How ironic that a country that boasts independence and the right to be yourself also urges you to join teams or lose out. It doesn't take years of political knowledge to understand that dividing us into two parties will be the fall of us. So I bubbled 'independent' and proudly turned it in.

So now I'm now a registered, card-carrying independent -- but that doesn't mean that I will vote that way because unfortunately I feel like if I did decide to vote indie, green party or what have you I'd be wasting my vote. I'm not thrilled completely with either candidate, so it's like voting for the lesser of two evils. So what's the point?

I have a lot of friends who will be staying home come voting day, if you were to ask them why it's because they feel frustrated with the whole process, in the eyes of society their political opinion makes up their entire American lifestyle. It's a 'no no' to discuss politics and religion in high school, but when you turn 18 and graduate you better have a damn good stance on abortion and healthcare.

Young Americans are being bombarded by external forces all of a sudden, when before they need not have an opinion because it didn't matter, it didn't count. I remember when I turned 18 I thought the best responsibility this country gave me was to vote, I mean my vote could decipher who the leader of the free world is. My little teenage brain can decide the future of America. The future of heath care, social security and numerous other issues may be resting on the pizza boy who comes to your door, but god forbid our tiny teenage brains can handle rental cars or alcohol (but that's another blog).

Another thing I've noticed about young voters of today is their either not voting, or they are so convinced that their candidate is the 'right person' that you would think it was the returning of Christ or something. When I hear some of my hard-core liberal friends talk about Obama they get this glazed, hypnotized, cult follower look on their face. The same goes for my republican friends....how can they not question anything? Get real people, no matter who gets into the big house they can only accomplish so much. Start researching a future president, not a messiah.

I am tired folks, sick and tired of your suggestions for who I should vote for. Thank you for your colorful and wise opinions, but when it comes down to it...you won't be with me in that voting booth come November.

If I could send one message to my generation this election it would be to go vote, and vote for yourself. Don't listen to your parents, don't listen to Matt Damon or Lindsey Lohan, and don't listen to those corny cheap-shot commercials. Become your own American. So after you bubble whomever you choose, strut your corny American flag 'I voted' sticker and take a deep breath, it's the American way.