When I sat down to write this piece, the prompt said, “Tell your story.” I thought about it for a few minutes. What is my story? I am not a writer, so why am I writing this? Will anybody want to read it?

My story is simple. I am an ordinary nobody. I am a husband, a father, a son, an employee and a citizen. I am exhausted. I am sad. But I am not without hope. I am writing this because while I am just a voice in a sea of noise, I have the freedom to use my voice when I choose. Ultimately, this will probably reach very few people, but maybe all it needs to reach is one.

For the past 20 years, I have been a card carrying, registered member of the Republican party. I have blindly followed misguided leaders, ignorantly repeated talking points, and childishly insulted any opposing view. I have been an enemy to this country without realizing it. My judgement has been clouded by contempt and nationalism. Immaturity and ego has kept me from attempting to broaden my views and accept that this country has systematically failed those it was meant to protect.

For far too long, we the people have sat in silence. We have allowed fringe extremists to take up the banner of the ideals we believe in and twist them until they are unrecognizable. Whether it has been a political stance or a religious belief, we have seen the worst in society rise to the top and claim to be representative of who we are as a people. No more. It needs to stop.

The Declaration of Independence begins, “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

It is with this in mind that I must separate myself from the political party that I have been a part of for so long. The Republican Party does not represent the values that I do. The rampant bigotry, and the silence from party leaders to put an end to it, has left me with no other choice. The Declaration of Independence goes on to say, “that all men are created equal.” I see no evidence of this core philosophy found in our current leadership.

This does not mean to assume that I have all of the answers figured out. I am not a wholehearted supporter of the Democratic party. There are many on the left that I disagree with, be it policy or tactics. Instead, I will focus on the person I am voting for. This means that I will at times support those I disagree with. I want to support candidates I feel listen well to all sides, those who are transparent in their dealings, and those who share plans for the issues facing us, not just insults and excuses.

I cannot run for office myself, but I can do more than just complain. I can take an active role in not only voting for candidates but by having conversations with the people in my life and in my community. I can hear the pain from those who have been neglected by the system. I can speak out against injustice. I can educate those who have remained ignorant of the realities that exist outside of sensationalist headlines.

With all of that said, I want to share my personal choice for the next President of the United States. It is time for a change. A new direction. It is unrealistic to think we can elect a third party candidate in this country. I had to choose from the long list of candidates currently running for the Democratic nomination. I chose someone with bold ideas, strong leadership skills, and a personality that reflects thoughtfulness and respect.

I have chosen to put my support behind South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. He is a candidate that grew up in the same era of America that I did. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. He is a leader with clear vision and well thought out policy initiatives. I may not agree with them all but at least it is a starting point for real conversation and movement in this country.

We have a President who won by offering to to Make America Great Again, while simultaneously dividing us and insulting those who disagree with him. Mayor Pete has said, “Greatness will come by looking forward — untethered from the politics of the past and anchored by our shared values — and by changing our nation’s future.”

Over the next few weeks, I would like to follow up this post with more granular, issued-based opinion pieces. I hope you will follow along on this new chapter in my life. I also ask that you open a dialogue with me. I want to know your questions, hear your opinions, understand the America that you see. We can have meaningful and civil discourse and find common ground.

We the People can do better.