Jeb Bush is fluent in Spanish. Hillary Clinton has not driven a car since 1996. Rick Perry had a campaign anthem that was half rap, half country, but he is now out of the race. Although it can be hard to keep track of the 14 Republican candidates and the six, maybe seven, Democrats we should all do our best to follow the election.
As we we complain about the other party and our fellow misinformed and politically uneducated citizens, we need to think about ourselves as well. Despite our good intentions and somewhat flaming passions that revolve around politics, many of us lack a platform behind our words.
We need to be able to criticize candidates for their misguided ideas and misspoken words. But to do that, we need to be informed and thoughtful, whether or not we are turning 18 in time for the next presidential election. If we care who wins, we should be involved. A single vote may mean little, but relocating to Canada if Donald Trump becomes our 45th president is a false promise that will do little more.
We do not need to make hyperbolic complaints or move to Canada to make an impact on our political system. Our age and government does not strip us of power, despite the certain limitations and flaws in our voting, economy and foreign policy.
Our first amendment allows us to be the best citizens that we can be. Read all about both your favorite and least favorite candidate. Extend your complaints beyond your like-minded friends to your family or the uninvolved. Even talk to a stranger.
Go to the website of your favorite candidate and click the volunteer tab. Start by requesting to be on an email list. Then display your bumper sticker, make phone calls or pass out fliers.
Or if you cannot make a decision, help others make theirs by registering voters or passing out voter information packets.
We may be busy with school, sports and clubs, but we need to have weight behind our words. Our discussions are empty words if we do not know the platform behind “our” candidate or what voters see in Donald Trump — who is leading in both Iowa and New Hampshire, according to a New York Times article from Sept. 23.
And for those of us who are turning 18, this should weigh most heavily upon our minds. If you are able to vote, you should want to make it count.
First semester senior year can be overwhelming for many of us, between college applications and school itself, but thankfully, second semester is right around the corner. So take your deep breath, catch senioritis and then consider doing something more with the time that you spend not doing your homework.
