This being an election year, we all have the opportunity to expand our political knowledge and make an educated vote. I know there are people at Rensselaer who scoff at the mention of anything political, claiming it is too boring, non-important, or they have no time to research the candidates and topics. Although politics may not be a very interesting topic to you, it is worth noting that this president will most likely be in office by the time you graduate. Issues such as taxation and the support given to large or small companies could be a deciding factor in the job market. Healthcare could become nationalized, and this may affect the medical treatment you receive. No doubt, this election year is one filled with many controversial topics. Not only are the topics highly debated, but so are the candidates. This could be the year that the United States sees its first minority or female president, and you could play a deciding role in the election!
We hear about the College Democrats and College Republicans, the Green Party, and independents, yet I believe that it is best to first align yourself with certain goals and values rather than inheriting your family’s “party.” I was raised in a very conservative town in the Midwest, within a very conservative household, yet I believe in social liberalism. For the longest time I aligned myself with the Republicans, but it wasn’t until after ample reflection that I was able to determine my viewpoint on certain issues. I still consider myself to be a political neophyte, but I have taken the time to research issues that I deem important and feel comfortable making an educated decision come voting day. For those of you who, like me, did not pay much attention to politics during your youth, I have found that only a few minutes a day watching a political pundit has helped shape some of my opinions.
Some of the most important topics being discussed are also some of the most fundamental. Whether it is a debate over pro-life versus pro-choice, stem cell testing, and leaving soldiers overseas versus pulling our troops back, it may be easiest to align yourself with some baseline principals held by each of the candidates. Beyond the most fundamental values, one can look further into their viewpoints on fiscal, immigration, and environmental policies. If you are like me, you can easily dismiss certain candidates due to our dissenting opinions. Beyond this, however, it pays to peruse the books written by the candidates and really inspect them well. Not only will you gain a better understanding of what the candidate stands for, but you will also understand how they got there. Some stories will be inspiring—others disheartening—but all rewarding.
Finally, in a very selfish attitude, you will have more to talk about, more opinions to express, and a better ability to communicate with those who are politically savvy. I had the honor of moderating a debate between the College Republicans and College Democrats, and learned that discussion and debate will ultimately help you reach a decision on who should get elected. Do not be afraid to share your views, and be accepting of the values of others. Diversity is what makes this campus so great. Take the opportunity to listen to political pundits, and balance their views with your own experiences. To quote a clichéd expression: Do not judge a book by its cover, but rather by the content inside. I wish you all the best with finding a candidate who you feel comfortable championing all the way to the White House!
