For as long as I can remember, I have been a Republican. Believe it or not, I was raised in a conservative home in Los Angeles. Growing up in the liberal hub of Los Angeles, I was always surrounded by friends, family and teachers who pushed the ideals of the Democratic Party upon me and disparaged my political beliefs. It began early, too. Back in 2008, when I was in the fourth grade, I remember my elementary school running a school-wide mock election, where kids could vote for the real candidates running at the time. I was one of two students in my grade who voted for John McCain over Barack Obama. (Looking back, both were awful choices.) The further in higher education I have gone and the older I get, the more I have come to question my beliefs, my party and my ideals.

Despite enjoying a previous Republican majority in both chambers of Congress and a Republican president, the Republican establishment was not able to uphold the promises made to voters. When a party has complete legislative control and cannot accomplish what they promised to voters, it makes you question whose interests are really being represented. Is it that of the voters? I think not.

This is the very reason why the GOP lost the majority in the house in the midterm election. Even the most pedestrian voter can see the lack of sincerity and honesty of the established party politics, and they could see it long before Trump came around.

When I watch these career politicians on both sides, I don’t see sincerity. I don’t see honesty, and worst of all, I don’t see action. They claim to care about the average American and the ever-shrinking middle class, but it is apparent that is not true. They have had decades to make a positive impact on the lives of Americans they claim to care about. They have had ample opportunity to improve and grow the economy, but they remained stagnant, did nothing and helped no one but themselves.

Most politicians care about one thing and one thing only — survival. If we are being honest, this is a major issue for both of the party establishments. Do you really believe that these entrenched career politicians care about the opioid epidemic in Ohio? The manufacturing worker in Michigan who lost their job when it was shipped overseas? What about the single mother working two jobs in California just to make ends meet? They do not.

Republicans and Democrats alike have claimed for years they want to improve the healthcare system, fix immigration, bring back jobs and a host of other things, yet nothing has ever been done about it. It has been all talk and no action.

With President Donald Trump, you see the exact opposite. You see a man who was already famous, rich and powerful and did not need this job, someone who speaks their mind honestly and actually cares for the average American. When you scoff, scold and question why I and many others support Trump, it actually is not that difficult to understand. I support Trump for the simple fact that I see positive results and that the promises made are actually promises kept.

People may scream he is a racist when he is not, act upset that he is president and tell themselves he won’t be reelected, but just remember this — the life of the average American is better now than it was four years ago. For those who disagree with me and do not like the president, remember — unemployment is at record lows across the board. We see wages increasing, lower taxes, a stronger military and a stronger border. Under Trump, 3.9 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps. Consumer confidence is higher than it’s been in decades. We are experiencing all-time highs in the stock market — not to mention a strong and growing economy.

The era of Trump has brought me to a real political realization. Yes, I am a member of the Republican Party, but that does not mean I agree with the established politicians or views of the party. I subscribe to an ideology of “common sense” and America-first ideals. I support and will continue to support President Trump because I believe in a strong America. I believe in a strong border. I support policies that translate to a stronger economy and, above all else, I want the daily lives of the average American to continue to improve.

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@PorterCrofts