Getting the youth to be interested in politics

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Young people are the future of a country. If they don’t get involved in politics, then who would rule the country in the future? Getting young people involved in politics is very important if a country wants to sustain itself in the future too.

The modern day world does not seem to have many young people who are interested in politics. Politics is still considered to be a father’s or grandfather’s or uncle’s interest. It is seen as something that can be postponed to become interested in when one reaches middle-age.

This is not true. Politics is for the young, middle-age, and elderly. As much as the elderly or middle-aged people are involved in politics, so too is the need for young politicians to rule a nation.

Almost every country has youth unions and youth leaders. But it only stops at that. The youth leader gets into the big league and stops encouraging youth activities. This happens to everyone and everywhere.

In certain countries, college unions elect youth leaders. But these leaders are seen in mock-interest by the more experience politicians. They either become a center of amusement or a source of rejection. Young politicians find it hard to break through the gateway of nepotism, so well guarded by experience politicians.

These things should not discourage us from getting the youth to become interested in politics. We need young educated people who have the creativity, humanity, and brilliance to rule a nation. We can only hope and pray that we have politicians from top-brass management colleges. Such a situation is awaited, because the world is fed-up with low-quality politicians.

 

 

4 Important Criteria to Consider Before Becoming an Elected Official

The primary role of an elected official can be summed up in two words “problem solver.” People look to an elected official as someone in charge who can address their concerns. Here are four simple yet very important criteria that you must address before becoming an elected official.

1. Why do you want tPolitician at Podiumo become elected?

If you truly desire to help people, then be prepared to be a servant. After all, that’s the core of being an elected official; a servant of the people. If your ideals are not about servitude but instead to make a name for yourself, then you should not be an elected official.

2. What can you do for the people?

Although you can’t single-handedly do and fix everything, there must be something you can offer the people to solicit their votes. Talk with the people to become more familiar with their concerns and carefully select the ones you are most capable of meeting.

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3. How will you execute your promises?

You need to have a political strategy of how you plan on fulfilling your promises of positive change to win votes. This is your opportunity to utilize your skills, resources and contacts to have a solid workable plan.

4. When will you deliver on your promises?

Your constituents need timelines of when they can expect things to get better. Be honest and don’t set unrealistic goals just to win votes. If you get elected, you would’ve already set the pace for their expectations.

Answering these four questions can determine if you really have what is takes to become an elected official.

 

Politics and Goverment at the Table

Do people actually still talk to their kids about what’s going on in the world? Do we take the time to make our adult conversations about current daily events into something our children can also connect to? Do we offer to allow them into our conversations about the current state of the world? Sometimes, parents may feel that what’s going in isn’t appropriate to discuss in front young children. This can be appreciated. But there are many current topics that children hear adults around them discuss that children can really understand. When we don’t include our children in these discussions about current events, we exclude them from valuable awareness of our views about the world, valuable learning experiences, and also the ability to learn to have views and conversations about things like politics and government.

Have you had a political conversation around the dinner table lately with your kids? It can feel like a strange concept. But it’s a great way to invite your kids to let you know what they understand about current politics, if anything and help fill in the gaps. Kids who have never talked about politics may feel that politics and government don’t relate to their lives, but this is not the case. Kids need to know how governments, elections, and politics deeply impact things about their world every day, especially on the local level. It’s also important to realize that kids can actually be involved in politics, if they want to from a very young age. There’s so many other terrible things for them to be involved in, why not politics. Many schools allow kids to run for school student councils and other activities starting as young as 8 years of age. It’s a great chance to kids to actually try out politics on their own and see how it impacts them personally.

Don’t let Campaigns Become Pain

It seems like political campaigns never end. They start again the minute a winner gives their acceptance speech. They’re already campaigning for the next election or next position on their career ladder. Political campaigns have become longer in recent years and more intense. The media has caught the campaign bug, and we never seem to stop hearing about the latest smear campaign or latest large campaign stop by politicians. It’s easy to become jaded in this campaign ridden world, we are living. At times, it can be important to stop and smell the roses of this campaign melee that surrounds us.

We live in a nation where we can elect our government officials at the state, local, and national level. This means we have the choice and the right to choose our leaders. Wow! This really is an amazing freedom to have. A very important part of this selection process of leadership is campaigns. Campaigns can be good, bad, ugly, and lovely. They come in all shapes and sizes. But like it or lump it, they allow us to hear competing politicians state their goals, beliefs, and political views before they are elected. We may get sick of hearing about it, but its part of our freedom and the process required to elect governing officials in our nation. Maybe, we can stop complaining and actually listen to what they are saying. Another thing that can be useful is actually attending some campaign meetings. Even easier, is to watch political speeches on the television or a politician’s website. It’s so easy to locate information about campaigns now. We don’t have any more excuses. We need to know about those who are running and what they stand for.

Elections and Kids

Have you ever tried to explain how politicla elections work in our nation without it sounding like its a popularity contest? The great news is that while political elections are occuring, its a great time to discuss with kids about what’s going on. Plus, during a major polticlal election the entire world is buzzing about elections. Kids are going to hear about poltiics and electiosn right and left. If you talk to htem about it, they might actually turn on and notice what’s going on around them. Our political process may seem rather complicated but it isn’t if you explain it in kid terms, even a kindergartener can understand parts of what’s going on.

Another great way to teach your children about the electoral process is to actually take them with you to vote as long as you aren’t in line for hours and hours. If kids see you voting in an election, they will understand a lot more about what’s going on. Also, school aged children are often talking about elections as they are going on, especially during Presidentail elections. This is also your chance to indoctriante yoru children with your political view, just kidding.  But you can help continue the teaching that’s happened at school or hasn’t happened, by talking to your children about elections as they are happening. Its the only thing you’ll hear on televsion and radio newcasts when they’re happening.

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Educating Voters

How does a candidate win an election? How important is the election process to Americans?

Often times the public chalks up a winning candidates’ success to the amount of money he or she raises for the campaign. While financial funding certainly helps with advertising and tours, it is not everything.

Election processes can get complicated as candidates use mud-slinging techniques, or complex issues are raised in debate, or one tries to decipher the varying techniques used to win over target populaces.

The truth is though, in the grand scheme of elections, money, catchy punch lines, and appealing advertising does not truly entice the public enough. It is estimated that approximately only a third part of Americans actually vote during a Presidential election. So the winner’s triumph actually does not represent the nation’s overall view. Whether it is lack of interest or ineligibility to vote, many Americans simply don’t participate in elections.

Then among those who do vote, it is not always clear that they are voting on principles and knowledge. They may vote for whoever seems more popular or seems a more charismatic speaker.

How many Americans are educated enough about the varying candidates to determine which one will truly best represent and lead the country? Not very many.

This has brought about an increase desire in conservatives to be educated about government and American history. There are conservatives who are reading, attending seminars, doing research online to learn more about the founding fathers, the bedrock principles of government, and the proper role of government. This among other literature and materials is sure to enhance the ability of Americans to make educated choices. It will help Americans take hold of their rights of liberty and ability to properly facilitate political action. It will decrease the complexity of  governmental issues and open the doors for a stronger people.

2011 CPAC

The weekend before Valentine’s Day 2011 marked the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). This is a highlight in conservative events and sets the tone for the Republican Primary for the Presidential race in 2012. Many view the CPAC as a rite of passage for the potential Republican nominees.

Below is the review of the speakers and how they fared at the 2011 conference.

Ron Paul of Texas won the straw poll the second year in a row. He was obviously the favored conservative of the weekend. Many feel though he is more of a sensational speaker rather than one who can turn the liberal tide of the country.

Orrin Hatch received the most boos from the crowd. He was asked to explain his supporting vote of the bail-out. Although he admitted it might have been a mistake, he felt that the country would have entered a severe depression if the government had not stepped in. The crowd was so rowdy and obviously opposed to his voting choice, many never heard his response. Hatch will have to do much to repair his reputation, some feel, if he hopes to gain candidacy in 2012.

Mitt Romney of Massachusetts delivered a powerful speech which was very well received by the crowd. He is considered to be the front runner for the conservative race for President in 2012.

Mitch Daniels of Indiana hit the national debt hard in his delivered address. Although his speech was only met with polite applause, he was considerably praised by the national media and made the Drudge Report.

Michele Bachmann of Minnesota also could be considered a “winner” at the CPAC. Her address produced a standing ovation. It is reported that she was surrounded by admirers where ever she went at the conference.

Although there is still much time before the 2012 Presidential Elections many feel that the CPAC has set the stage for conservative nominees. As the public was reintroduced to these conservative super stars, it can better determine who should be selected.

Rise of the Modern Day Tea party

In the early years of the American colonies revolt against British rule, there are several landmark events that stand out in history. One of these is the Boston Tea Party in which some “rebellious” colonists, in Boston, Massachusetts went aboard a tea ship docked in Boston Harbor and threw all the tea overboard as a clear expression of their strong anti-tax opinions. Although these colonists impacted history and played a critical role in the Revolutionary War, it is doubtful they fully comprehended the leading role they exemplified for generations to come.

Throughout the 1990’s there were many anti-tax protests to display the public’s outrage of government taxes. In more recent years, Republican Congressman Ron Paul of Texas and his supporters held a fund-raiser on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party for the 2008 Presidential Primary Race. The politician’s platform was to remove the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as to do away with the Federal Reserve System. He and his followers strongly supported giving State governments more rights and keeping the National government at bay.

In 2009 a Tea Party protest was conducted by the Young Americans for Liberty in response to Governor Patterson’s suggestion for an obesity tax. This was one of over 100 taxes that the New York State Governor proposed. Many at the protest wore Indian head dresses resembling those worn by the Boston colonists at the original Boston Tea party.

In February 2009, a Seattle conservative Blogger, Keli Carender, rallied a protest the day before President Obama signed the nation’s stimulus package. She did not lean on other groups, but rather through her own networking was able to gather approximately 120 people. Later on February 27, 2009, she and many other “Tea Party” protestors across the country (in 40 different cities nationwide) protested to show their rage at the government’s behavior. It is believed that both Bush’s bail out and Obama’s bail out are the events that gave birth to the modern day Tea Party Movement.

Conservative And Liberal Politics – Balancing Ideology And Pragmatism Is The Trick

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How significant is the difference between policies of Conservative and liberal candidates in any electoral system? The candidates may belong to different parties and yet can be stereotyped into those belonging to Conservative and to the liberal segment.

Of course, Conservative candidates do not always focus on fiscal conservation and traditional social values. In the same way, liberal or democrat candidates need not always adopt radical solutions at all times. These generalizations do not work very effectively at the grassroots. In a community plagued by excessive debts, fiscal conservative approach may be the only way to proceed.

It may involve infusion of government funds and restriction of freedom of individuals to trade as they please. These features happen to be the bulwark of Conservative politics. Yet, significant deviations have been noticed in the past and shall be visible in the future as well. This is because politics is the art of possible. Anything that works as a solution will be good enough even if it does not appeal to one’s ideologies.

More often than not, political parties have moved out of their traditional approaches and have embraced radical solutions. However, they have always, rather inexplicably, sought to prove that the move was an aberration and only strengthens the rule.

Chances are high that US republicans will embrace solutions suggested by Democrats to counter the financial mess. They may not do it wholeheartedly but wholesale denial is not going to work. However, Republicans will try to use the deviation to stress the importance of their original ideology.

However, politics works on pragmatism and not on ideology. Excessive emphasis on conservative values may backfire as it did when Bill Clinton was the President and Republicans gained control of the House Of Representatives. The resulting deadlock disgusted votes and Democrats surged not because they were preferable but just because the public was tired of the politics of one-upmanship.

Conservative Or Democrat – Hard Measures Are Unavoidable To Repair The Economy

Irrespective of what your Conservative or Democrat candidate might have said, just keep the following points in mind.

Firstly, the economy is suffering because of the damage that it has suffered for many years. Excessive consumption, reliance on borrowings and irresponsible financial lifestyle are the primary reasons behind the problems America is facing today.

Secondly, elections are all about transfer of power. How many times have Americans heard promises that were never kept? In fact, it is a characteristic of democracy and politics all over the world.

Thirdly, it is one thing to think about the country as a whole. However, you cannot afford to ignore your personal finances. If you keep your head above the water and if thousands of Americans all over the country do the same, the economy is automatically going to improve.

Fourthly, there is no point in relying on a specific ideology or approach. Approach of Conservatives or that of Democrats is not going to work in isolation. In any case, both parties run the country by working together. Hence, you too will have to inculcate Conservative as well as Democrat approach when managing your personal finances. Go beyond traditional ideas but do not trust just one line of thought or approach all the time.

Finally, just take a look at conservatives in Europe and find out how they are trying to tackle the recession. While the ground scenario may be different, it certainly will help you understand that drastic measures are required. Either you can protest like the French or can take it with a stiff upper lip like the British.

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