Let me start with my biases: I’m part-Hispanic, part-white, homeschooled, raised by two parents in a middle-class home. My dad is passionately pro-NRA; my mom is passionately pro-life. Although he didn’t go to college, my dad works alongside people with Ph.D.s, so I subconsciously believe if you work hard enough and know the right people, you can get anywhere you want. I have a lot of student debt and work three jobs.

All this affects my vote for Donald Trump. I did not make this decision thoughtlessly, but I’ve been conflicted throughout this entire election. Last week, for the first time in this election process, someone asked me for my opinion, so here it is.

My top two issues in this election include education and the economy. While I do not believe Donald Trump is going to save our country, I agree with his America-first trade policies and plan to lower taxes for businesses. I’m concerned about the economy because it affects our jobs and our future as college students, and it affects how we view minorities. Lowering taxes for all Americans won’t solve all our problems, but if our businesses grow, so do our chances for more jobs, racial equality, reduction of college debt and private funding of science and environmental programs.

I believe education will affect the next generation’s character, treatment of minorities, understanding of law, and work ethic as future members of our country. Trump will focus on localizing education and providing more scholarships for students to attend charter and private schools. Because I was homeschooled, I believe our public education system is flawed and can’t be helped with the national programs Hillary Clinton promotes.

These two issues come first to me, although being pro-life and the future of our Supreme Court also follow closely. I will address just a few other arguments, which I’m sure you’ve had while reading this.

1. Immigration – Trump’s issue is not with immigration; it’s with illegal immigration. If someone is not a legal citizen in this country, how can we apply our laws to them, including taxes, criminal justice, or education? Just because it’s hard to get into this country, does not make it okay to enter illegally. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but as you can tell from my listed biases, I’m a pretty black-and-white person.
2. Gun control – I agree with Trump’s position to defend the 2nd amendment. Take away our right to bear arms, and what other freedoms will they take?
3. Saturday Night Live and Sexual Assault – Some say Trump defied the right to free speech when he spoke out against SNL’s portrayal of him. However, according to NBC, Trump will be on SNL Nov. 7. His tweet says “Time to retire the boring and unfunny show.” It does not say the show “should be cancelled” at all. I found the 2005 tape in which Trump states “rape” words about a woman completely disgusting. However, Trump has not been unapologetic, just as Clinton has repeatedly apologized for the email situation. Trump said in the last debate, “I’m not proud of it, I apologized to my family, I apologized to the American people.”

I’m not afraid of what will happen Nov. 8, but I kind of wish I could vote for Hamilton. #HamiltonForPres