As the election looms just two weeks away, it feels like the political noise is louder than ever. By now, many of us – including my children – are tired of the endless ads and campaigns, which seem to focus more on tearing down opponents than addressing the real issues. It’s exhausting to watch politicians attack each other while glossing over the problems we face daily, like skyrocketing gas prices. Even people in places like Palm Beach, Florida, are talking about how their gas prices have surged, reminding me of the Great Recession in 2010 when prices hit $4.50 a gallon. But where are the politicians really addressing this?

What’s more frustrating is the manipulation on both sides. Instead of engaging voters on real concerns, we’re bombarded with staged events (Trump working at McDonald’s) and identity politics. For example, Kamala Harris, who has been strategically placed in situations to rile up certain voting groups, recently praised the French Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. Her comments left many wondering if she was advocating for inclusivity or something more controversial like paganism.

But inclusivity, as ideal as it sounds, is complex because history has shown that one group often ends up marginalized. And it’s disheartening to see the same tactics over and over—like at a recent rally where protesters shouting “Jesus is Lord” were escorted out after Harris spoke on abortion rights. She quickly dismissed them and directed them to leave, only to later visit a Baptist church and speak about driving out darkness. These moves, from both parties, feel less like genuine leadership and more like calculated manipulation.

At the end of the day, there’s no perfect candidate because there was only one perfect person in history, and he was crucified 2,000 years ago. So what do we do? We vote our conscience. That’s the only way to navigate this chaotic, emotionally charged environment.

But beyond voting, maybe it’s time we shift our focus. Instead of being swept up in the divisiveness that permeates our screens, what if we started looking closer to home? Talking to our neighbors, sitting down with our families, and building relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but meaningful dialogue—actual conversations where we listen, learn, and share—can go a long way in fostering a stronger community.

After all, it’s the relationships we build with the people around us that shape our daily lives, not the endless political ads. We need to stop letting these divisive campaigns determine how we feel about each other and instead focus on creating connections, supporting one another, and understanding the real issues that affect us all.

Because in the end, politicians will come and go, but the people we interact with every day—our neighbors, friends, and families—are the ones who matter most. Let’s not lose sight of that in the noise of election season.