Unemployment is high. The deficit is massive. The economy is in flux. It’s pretty clear. The United States is at a crossroads, and this election represents a choice between two clear sides. Cadenza is concerned for our country, so we felt it was our civic duty to weigh in and endorse a candidate for president.

Unlike all the bad news in America, it’s been nothing but good news recently for our pick for president: Councilwoman Leslie Knope from television’s “Parks and Recreation.” She waged a great underdog campaign to beat a well-funded candidate in a close election. She just got engaged to Ben Wyatt, who chose her love over his career. And now, we want her to be our president.

Leslie Knope, masterfully played by Amy Poehler, has been one of the most memorable characters in television over the past few years. She’s admirable and optimistic. Ambition has carried her from deputy director of the parks and recreation department to the city council. Her loyalty and kindness to her friends is nearly unparalleled. She never shies away from a challenge and wants to fix problems. Who better to be our first female president than Leslie Knope?

Sure, we don’t know where she stands on some key issues. We do know that she is Pawnee’s Queen of the Gays and presumably supports marriage equality. But we also question her attempt to get a soda ban a la the one New York passed. The show has refused to reveal her party identity—we might be endorsing a Republican, a Democrat, or even someone from a third party. But isn’t that what America needs: a nonpartisan figure to lead us through these troubling times?

The team that she would bring with her would be undeniably amazing as well. First Man Ben Wyatt would be one of the best first spouses in history—more Hillary Clinton than Mary Todd Lincoln. Andy Dwyer could be in charge of the Secret Service. Ann Perkins could take over as secretary of health. And imagine Ron Swanson as part of our national government. He hates it, but we would love it.

You might think we’re crazy, choosing a small-town, first-term councilwoman from Pawnee, Ind. But the partisan gridlock in Washington is worse than ever. Maybe she’s the outsider we need to bring the country together again. She’s already shown she can hold her own next to Washington heavyweights like Senator John McCain and Senator Barbara Boxer. The choice between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney couldn’t be clearer: Write in Leslie Knope.