Who am I politically?

I am still young and undefined politically. Just recently have I started to watch the debate and really understand what “every vote makes a difference” means. I have came to believe that I may be more of a democrat the anything else. I am also greatly aware that the issues our country is currently going through are of much importance to me, as they should to everyone in the country. After all, without the slightest of understanding as to who you might be politically or the political issues that may work out to your advantage or disadvantage, how are you to be a part of deciding factors that relate to you. Although I cannot get out to vote, due to age restrictions, it is true that I could get out there and really make a difference by promoting awareness.

In the past month or so, I have begun to develop my political thoughts and ideas. Through watching the live debates, reading articles that relate to politics, and listening to music videos and trying to interpret their political views that they attempt to portray, I have begun on a path to discover this political identity of mine. For instance, “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer. This music video shows a political message in the form of music as well as graffiti. As I see it, he really tried to promote the idea of waking up and seeing what is going on, with an expectation that people will understand and want to make a difference, not only in their community but in other parts of the world as well. Also, never before had I watched the political debates until this current election. I always thought I would be bored out of my mind so would not even give it the time of day. Another thought I had was, “what could I do about what is going on, after all, I am only a child.” But I came to find that these ideas were entirely false. These speakers had a profound knowledge of the situations and some possible causes and effects. They wanted to make a change and, to my surprise, their passion really came out in their speeches. Given this new information, I have started my journey in finding the political me.

Over the past few weeks I have come to notice that these issues are way larger and more important then I once understood. I was just unaware of how complicated these issues could be. Some things, such as the economy problems, I was not even aware of. But if others would have stepped in and put these issues in my face, I feel that I would have earned a greater respect for politics sooner. I feel that I am capable of being that person to bring these issues to focus in other people’s lives. Just like Paul Loeb, Maureen F. Curley, and Sherry Morreale had said in Engaging Students as Volunteers and Voters, “We could, for instance, encourage them [the students] to participate in the voter calling programs that both of the national campaigns are running, where people in states without close national races use their extra cell minutes to call those in states where every voter can matter. So long as we make clear that who the students choose to volunteer with is their choice, not ours, we can encourage all this while still remaining meticulously nonpartisan.” This is important because not only does this give an alternative route to voting, but it also allows the students to still make their own decisions and that is a large part of what voting is about. Your personal vote is for who you think is going to lead our country for the greater good and deal with issues in a manner that you feel appropriate, not because of what others believe. Another quote from them that “fits the script“ is where they say, “Imagine if we worked through our service-learning networks to get a significant percentage of our students knocking on doors, making phone calls, having conversations that offer their fellow citizens an opportunity to engage with critical issues beyond 30-second attack ads and 1-minute TV sound bites.” I feel that these issues and ways of getting involved should be known and implicated all over the United States.

Who might I be, a democrat or a republican? This is a question that many struggle with. As for right now, with how I have been influenced and how I feel about the different social classes of Americans, I am leaning more on the democratic side. I feel that it is important for the working class people to grow and benefit as well as the large corporations. Although larger corporations have a large effect on the economy then some working class people, if the working class were to be in debt and/or lose their jobs, who might be the existing consumers of these large corporations’ products, other than other countries or other large companies. For the working class to grow while the large corporations grow, the country as a whole, as I see it, would prosper and develop a great deal, therefore boosting the economy. So you may be able to conclude that it is important, as I see, for all to have the opportunity to continue to prosper, this way, money will continue to circulate.

I believe that you do not even necessarily have to be political to have a keen interest in what happens regarding our country. You may have family in the military; this may make you interested in what is going to be done about the current situation in the Middle East. You may be a person who has health issues or maybe even someone who cares about the environment; this would spark your interest about what is being done about alternative energy sources. Maybe you work for a large corporation, because the economy is struggling you want to know what they plan to do to fix this issue and get us back to the power house we once were. Many Americans work for companies that do not help provide healthcare benefits and these days, healthcare can get pretty pricey, if you are one of these people you also might want to know how the future president plans to help out the American people in these regards. All these issues, whether you are political or not, can provide you the want for awareness in the political champagne.

I have only begun to figure out who I am politically. Facts, Issues, the view of an overall political party, and the need to get involved are just a few things that are apparent to me at this time. I know that I want everyone to be equal, at least have equal opportunities; I know I want something to be done about the economy, healthcare, the war, and so much more. Where I blossom from here will further piece together to show me who I am politically.