I don't know what else to call this, because I'm just going to basically tell you all where I stand politically before going into more detail in future posts. I love the idea of this, all of us doing political posts, because I'm really interested in politics. I want to work in politics (maybe in the United Nations), and will probably study either political science or international relations in college. Right now in school, I'm taking AP US Government and Politics online, and while it's not the greatest class ever, the subject is interesting.
I'm very liberal, politically. I am pro-choice. I believe in liberal immigration reform--that is to say, letting more people into the country in the first place and creating an amnesty policy for those already here, rather than deporting millions and building a physical barrier to Mexican immigration (which is ridiculous and stupid...but that's another post). I am an environmentalist. I hate George Bush and *** Cheney. I want universal healthcare. Etc.
I will not be able to vote in the 2008 elections, unfortunately. I'll still be five months away from being eighteen. My best friend will, though--he's already registered. And he's not as into politics as I am--doesn't read the news so much. So I get to influence his vote! I also run a kids' voting booth, to teach younger kids about democracy. The apathy I saw this year (it was just city elections, but those are still really important, just less publicised) was really sad.
If you're old enough to vote, please, do so! Democracy is important. We all claim to love our freedom and want to protect our democracy...But so few Americans vote. So few even bother to register to vote! It's really awful. If you love your country and your freedom and our democratic republican ideals, then vote!