The presidential election is just around the corner. You know what that means – time for everybody’s crazy to come out. 

I don’t know what causes some people to become political extremists come election time, but it seems to be an infectious tendency. 

As Election Day approaches, everyone starts using social media to voice their strong opinions in the public eye.

I hate when people pretend they subscribe to such a strict agenda. I would like to think that, in politics, nothing is as black and white as the media portrays it to be.

I think some people are mistaken when it comes to their own convictions. They either misinterpret their own beliefs or are ignorant of the full spectrum in which their alleged beliefs reside.

All of these talking heads we see on TV portray a small percentage of the population – the political extremist bigots.

But I think it’s pretty safe to say that Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh aren’t representative of the Republican party. Likewise, Jon Stewart’s agenda is liberalism blown out of proportion.

So I think it needs to be said that you’re probably not as strongly conservative or liberal as you think. Whether you plan on voting for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney in the upcoming election, you still need to embrace the common ground you share with the other party – even if that common ground is just acknowledging the other’s legitimacy.

The media portrays the Republicans and Democrats as these fiercely opposing parties that can’t even get along, let alone carry on an intelligent debate on any of the major issues.

This portrayal carries over into all of our lives, as well. I’m tired of seeing students act like they live in a black and white world where the only hard, clear-cut answers are found within their own viewpoints.

I’ve already seen it show up numerous times this semester, and let me just say, you’re wrong.

Your truth is not an absolute truth. Your beliefs are not standardized beliefs that everyone is expected to abide by.  Do yourself a favor and quit mirroring the talking heads’ extremist mindsets.