You just want “free stuff.”

I get it all the time. Yes, free universal healthcare and free college tuition are a part of Bernie Sander’s platform.

That isn’t the only reason I support him, though.

Being a college student today is hard work. For me, I know that majoring in mechanical engineering is an everyday uphill climb. Working is hard — you do it to pay the bills — but I know that I personally would be doing better overall if I could focus 100 percent of my time on school.

This is my personal belief. You might be the type of person that can work 50 hours a week and still be an engineering major, or a communication major or whatever type of major you are. Good for you.

With that being said, Bernie Sanders offers more than just “free stuff.”

My personal opinion is that in this country there is a great divide between the haves and the have-nots, which can be backed up as a fact.

You can chalk it up to laziness, drug-use, or whatever.

For me, though, I see the struggle that low-income families have. Every state that I have lived in besides the first two (which was from my birth to three years of age), I have seen low-income housing affect schoolmates and personal friends. Texas, Minnesota, Washington and now North Dakota.

I know people who have given up on school due to financial pressures. Not only does this hurt them now, but this impacts them down the road. In this case I believe that these people aren’t asking for “free stuff,” but rather just a level playing field.

For me, I came from a loving home, where my needs were met. Anything I needed, I could feel free to ask for.

That is in steep contrast to my friend in 6th grade.

I knew a boy named Jason. We were outside one day and he tore up his shoes on a dirt pile. The shoes were from Wal-Mart and probably cost less than $15.

My thought process was that it mustn’t be that big of a deal. Kids ruin shoes all the time. Parents know this.

What shocked me though is when he started crying. He used his cell-phone to call his father. Crying and ashamed he confessed about his shoes and said sorry more times than I could count.

Sometimes, situations are different. We can’t ignore that.

We all know friends who aren’t on a level playing field. North Dakota State students must know at least one friend who is struggling.

If your personal belief is that it is their fault and that they must pick themselves up by their bootstraps, you’re entitled to your opinion.

Personally, I believe I would rather pay my fair share and even the playing field that was already even for me to start.

In my opinion this could help our situation, offering free college tuition and universal healthcare. It gives individuals better life standards, better starting points and overall better chances in life. This isn’t a new idea either. Many other developed nations do the same thing. There, the standard of living is just as good, if not better.

So the next time you are talking to someone and the conversation steers towards presidential favorites. Remember, everyone has a reason. Though I personally don’t support Donald Trump, I am sure his followers have some reason to support him. Just like I have a reason to support Bernie Sanders. Be respectful.