I was reflecting on the first and only presidential debate I attended in person. Ross Perot won almost 20% of the popular vote in 1992. The self-made billionaire often said what people felt, but he did it with class, not just by steamrolling others. He didn’t just point fingers to get nearly 20 million votes. Today, we have an incumbent businessman running against a moderate politician. Coarse dialogue in America results from two diametrically opposite parties, even if the two candidates share similar views on some policies like social security. The contrast is evident on their respective platforms: civil rights, environment, healthcare, American exceptionalism. Fear is the best tool either candidate has to win the popular vote.

While China deserves blame for many things, including COVID-19, it just means the U.S. has to get better fast. Japan dominated industries in the 80s and 90s.

The US recovered thanks to brilliant entrepreneurship. China and India are poised to dominate soon. They don’t win Gold medals and produce entertainment at the same clip as the U.S., but they mean business, learn fast, and invent things. Without smart immigrants, America falls behind the rest of the world.

I just remember Perot galvanizing independent voters because he sought the simplification of byzantine government laws. The vision was transparent in his book. Sadly, Perot is no longer with us. Someone like him would have done well this year. Donald Trump got elected in 2016 because independent voters got tired of calculating career politicians in DC and sought a business approach to social problem-solving.

Someone will win in 2020, and half the country won’t be happy. Nearly 40% of the country would consider someone else. The best option for the independent voter (during uncertain times) didn’t even make the 2020 ballot.

I’m voting for the lesser of two evils. Ultimately, independent voters can become the most informed voters by realizing America deserves more than its two-party system. I believe there is more leeway for change outside traditional politics.