In the past few years I’ve become more passionate about politics than I ever thought possible. I started to question the government around the time of 9/11, and later on scrutinized it even more when I fell in love with a soldier. I have always been unquestionably liberal, and have never felt particularly judgmental of other peoples’ opinions until fairly recently. I love a good, healthy debate, but the deeper into trouble the U.S gets itself, the more I find myself indirectly blaming Republicans (who may, or may not, have voted for Bush). I know it’s not personally any one Republican’s fault, but it’s fear that keeps me judging–fear that the same kind of faith-based, upper-class-favoring government will stay in control.
There are young Republicans out there, but large numbers of them seem to be hiding, at least around USM. While the USM College Democrats group has been growing in size, the College Republicans group has disappeared completely (confirmed by Dustin Gilbert). Gilbert, a dedicated conservative on campus, feels that “being a Republican at USM is much like being an endangered species”, and suggests that many of his peers don’t speak up for fear of being labeled. The masses are liberal, and judge harshly. This, apparently, has left many passionate conservatives politically reserved and inactive. A political science professor shared a glimpse into his classroom, where a Republican student vocally realized “I’m outnumbered”.
Often when young Republicans defend themselves, us liberals respond with hot-blooded arguments. We sometimes become frustrated and belittling, because a young Republican’s values (which may lead to a young Republican’s vote) threaten the equal and efficient country we are so passionate about believing in. I see Obama paraphernalia all over the place, so it really threw me off when I saw a lone McCain pin on a girl’s backpack the other day. I can respect that she is entitled to her own opinion, but like many other liberals I had slight difficulty restraining my emotions–the passionate activist in me wanted to run to her and explain that America is in a state of crisis, it has been for a while, and what it needs is change, not more of the same failed policies, or the same appalling agenda. Even some professors can’t seem to hold themselves back, and have showed Obama advertisements in (unrelated?) classes.
On USM’s bus I have overheard students talking excitedly about Obama and Biden, and distraughtly about McCain and Palin. Professor Killmeier of the Media Studies department figures that because young people are going to have to deal with the consequences of the government later, we are finally waking up to political issues now. I think it’s wonderful that democratic involvement is flourishing. The general consensus on campus is that the Republican government is unfavorable; it has damaged the country’s reputation and destroyed its economy, and students have realized that we need a new vision – a vision of U.S rehabilitation into a respectful and well-functioning country; a vision of ‘restoration’ that Obama has supplied for us through his campaign :”Change 08″
Jeff Doucette of the College Democrats is excited to see so many students inspired. “I think young voters really sense an urgent need for a change of direction in Washington and see the candidacy of Barack Obama as a refreshing break from the past. There is overwhelming student support for Democratic candidates this year because they better address the issues important to young people.”
I imagine many liberals feel that by standing up for the corrupt government, Republicans are automatically shameless and/or ignorant. I don’t think they are all bad, but I do believe that many young Republicans should reexamine the values that they most likely inherited from outdated generations, and really understand just how much (more) damage another Republican administration may cause. If you are intelligent, educated, and still Republican, then by all means you’re entitled to your vote. Just remember that McCain and Bush are good buddies, and they’re on the same page. Only a Republican in the deepest of denial can argue that the current system hasn’t failed miserably.