No matter whether you’re Republican, Democrat or Green, everyone has a right to be heard. Young people especially have the numbers to make their votes count. Your political affiliation should be based on your personal ideals and values, so make sure you look into the different options available. Satellite internet from http://www.wildbluedeals.com/ is a great resource for researching the latest news, as well as for connecting with other passionate young people.
In order to discuss the political issues of the day, you have to know what they are, so make sure you do your research. Then, go out and register when you’re able to vote. You can also get a feel for the world of voting by participating in student elections, as a candidate, campaigner, or constituent. There are also many groups at schools and colleges where you can connect with people to debate political views in a friendly and intelligent manner.
The important thing to remember is that everyone’s opinion matters, including yours. With satellite internet, you can find plenty of resources to aid you in your journey. You can also talk with your parents to learn more about their opinions, and discuss any questions that you may have.
Politics can be overwhelming if you do not understand how the game is played. It is important for people to be able to be unbiased when it comes to political issues. You should check both sides of a debate to see how you feel about an issue. Many people just hear what they want to hear when an issue is being debated. They do not take the time to really listen to what the opposing side has to say about (more…)
One great idea for people to do is to take a friend along to a city council meeting. People should ask a good friend to come with them to a meeting so that they can learn about how their city operates behind the scenes. It is important to begin to learn about politics by seeing how things work at a local level. When you live in a city, the city council plays a big role in your life. For example, city ordinances and (more…)
Student Body Government or student council is an extra-curricular activity or club that helps students who are interested in politics learn about the democratic process in a fun, structured environment. Joining this group is a great way to help students develop their leadership skills as well as learn how to interact with faculty and staff on behalf of the student population. It loosely mimics government in that way, because elected government officials represent the citizens in their district so does student government officials. There is an election process where (more…)
While the United States economy as a whole has shown promise as of late, unemployment figures have lagged significantly behind other metrics on the road to recovery. This trend is particularly alarming to younger members of the community, lacking the relevant work experience to contend for desirable jobs fresh out of school. So often qualified individuals, thanks to no fault of their own such as study habits or natural aptitude, find difficulty in securing career-oriented work (excluding bartending/waitressing fall back options) directly out of college. With less jobs available market-wide, it follows than employers are receiving heightened numbers of resumes, even for entry level positions, from applicants who have advanced well-beyond entry level status in their career arc. What can you do as a young person with eyes on employment? (more…)
Just because you aren’t technically old enough to cast your vote in a ballot box, doesn’t mean you automatically have no voice in the democratic process. As long as an individual is mature enough to develop well thought out judgments on political issues, there is no prerequisite age to make a difference. Here are just a few ways you can make a difference in months leading up to election day.Volunteer Every young person has ample training at talking on the phone. Well, making phone calls is just one of many important tasks that running a successful political campaign requires. Similar activities may include stuffing envelopes, handing out fliers/t-shirts/goodies, putting up signs and recruiting other volunteers. Don’t expect to walk into any major administrative role, but every contribution counts on the campaign trail, just like every vote counts toward each candidate’s total. Don’t think presidential campaigns are the only ones requiring work either. Local and state government officials also need help and are more likely to let competent high school students get involved.Donate Even if you can’t contribute your time due to a demanding course load or heavy schedule of extra-curricular activities, cash donations are equally well received. Understandably, most teens have less discretionary income as they are yet to enter the full-time workforce, however even the smallest of financial contributions fall into very appreciative hands. If you feel as though contributing to a national campaign would be like dropping water into the ocean, consider contributing on an individual cause basis, directly supporting issues that may go underfunded.Write The power of the written word goes beyond the boundaries of age. (more…)
Never before has politics been subject to such a high level of all-inclusive interactivity. Without a viral presence, perhaps the 2008 Presidential election would have followed a different course. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, along with a wide variety of other platforms, have irreversibly changed the course of history, with older community members now struggling to keep up with what comes to younger crowds as second nature. If nothing else, follow a candidate or cause you support and get similarly aligned friends to do the same. Use skills you’ve honed in your free time to your advantage on the political front. To be honest, people over the age of 25 are only beginning to understand the power of mediums such as Facebook in the way that those who have grown up with regular access to social media are already accustomed to. If you can help to accrue an internet following by presenting well-articulated points and/or unique, original thoughts in a creative way, the news media and of-age voters will undoubtedly take notice. The key is illuminating your logic and rationale in a way that either has never been seen before or is distinctively memorable. This can be achieved using a variety of different strategies, whether via powerful emotional appeals, striking imagery or timely use of humor, to name a few, though finding a middle ground to relate to or persuade a wide range of viewers is easier said than done. (more…)
Not only can becoming politically involved at a young age make a tangible difference in the community around you, it can also alter the trajectory of your education. As you begin applying to colleges your senior year, not only will they look at your academic record, but a strong, diverse resume showcasing a well-balanced personality can go a long way. College admissions is growing more and more competitive across the board, with more than enough highly qualified applicants readily available to fill freshman slots at prestigious universities nationwide. GPA’s and SAT /ACT scores will always have a place in the process, but a unique background and breadth of life experience will continue to play an expanding role in admissions more selective positions and scholarship opportunities. Colleges love to see a capacity for leadership and a willingness to expand horizons beyond what’s normal for the typical high school student. This doesn’t mean sign up for every club listed on the first day of school and attend a meeting or two over the course of the year. It’s an invitation to get involved, in the truest sense of the word. What good is it to blanket your college application with a laundry list of obscure organizations if you can’t even muster a few authentic words about what the experience means to you in an interview or essay? (more…)