I tend to be more independent politically. I’ve supported both Republicans and Democrats in the past, but I tend to lean more toward the Democratic side. I certainly won’t attempt to blindly follow a politician because he or she has the title.

I’m not fanatical about politics, but I care about who leads, and I think that’s pretty indicative of many of my peers. When someone new comes along spouting fantastic ideas and promising what millennials value above almost all things — change — our concerned generation turns into an inspired one, ready to fight tooth and nail to defend who we support. 

That’s not to say we all tend to back the same candidate because millennials are not members of some hive-minded generation that blindly follows the candidate with the shiniest smile or the most sass. Every now and again there’s a candidate who is solidly in the youth generation’s court.

Arguably, President Barack Obama was this candidate in 2008. He was highly supported by the youth of America, carting out hitherto unseen youth votes.

In the 2008 Iowa Caucus, young Democrats ran to the polls in record numbers, and Democrats flocked around him. Obama pulled out votes from previously untapped populations, and regardless of your opinions on his politics, that is impressive.

Obama won 66 percent of the 18 to 29-year-old vote in 2008, and he is still regarded as one of the pioneers of the youth involvement in politics today because of his media savvy strategies and his appeal to the interests of the youthful Democrat. 

Obama’s on his way out, so what now? Who’s our new champion of the young demographic? 

It’s Bernie Sanders, of course. He’s wildly popular on college campuses, and his most vocal supporters far outstrip Clinton’s. Sanders’ message appeals to the younger generation of America that has grown up in a difficult economic climate. 

Legions of supporters adore Sanders. He’s been memed, he’s been endlessly quoted and his face is plastered all over the Facebook pages of college students. 

What could be wrong with that?

Because sometimes it feels like worship. 

Support is fine, encouragement is fine and protests are fine. It’s heartening to see we’re trying to take the power into our own hands and get involved. Elevating a politician to the status of a folk hero borders on unhealthy, however. 

His most avid supporters act like he can do no wrong, and any dissenting voices are bought and paid for by Trump or Clinton in a dogma that seems to say, “If you’re not completely for us, then you’re the problem.” 

Many opportunities to be right exist, and they don’t all involve Sanders. Outright fanaticism dilutes your message, and shouting over someone isn’t debating. Example after example shows Sanders supporters derailing the message they claim to support.

I hate to say it, but it reminds me of the more fervent Trump supporters at times.

Sanders isn’t perfect. He’s a politician. We’re supposed to question our politicians, not blindly follow their words and lower them to the level of mere celebrity. Our politicians are supposed to work for us, and giving them free reign goes against everything democracy stands for. 

If Sanders is elected we need to put an even keener eye on him, not rest back on laurels and congratulate a job well done.

I think Sanders wants to do well, but I know he can’t if his more fanatical supporters keep getting in his and everyone else’s way. If we set him up too high he will inevitably fall.

Support him, or don’t. I didn’t write this column to tell you to do either. But if you do support him, understand he’s just a man. He’s a man who cannot live up to every expectation some have of him. Pretending otherwise is wishful thinking.