My Life and Politics: An Essay
I've been thinking about politics since I was old enough to talk. I knew who Bill Clinton was before I was 5. In third grade, during the 2000 election, I made the prediction that George Bush was going to get us into a war. If you don't believe me, just ask my parents. When the Florida recount was going on, I hadn't really grasped the concept that in eight years, George Bush could completely disregard the Constitution unless it was an amendment he supported, suspend Habeas Corpus and run this country into the ground. I would find out soon enough. In the fall of 2001, I disregarded my politics or as John McCain would say, I took off Democrat and put on my American hat, to unite with the rest of America in a time of turmoil and sadness. I remember writing a journal entry in fifth grade about President Bush and the war in Iraq. I wrote, "I think when we capture Saddam he will be curled up in a corner sucking his thumb. I agree that we should be at war, because if we weren't innocent Iraqis would be tortured right now. I support Pres. Bush in every way. The Iraqis deserve to be free." And to this day I have kept it in a notebook on my bookshelf to remind me that you can be patriotic without giving up your beliefs and values. In sixth grade, I attended the Democratic Presidential Forum at OSU. I listened to all of the democratic candidates speak. There, I met Wesley Clark, Dick Gephardt, Dennis Kucinich, and even Joe Lieberman. It was an exciting and wonderful experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. In that same year, I met John Kerry. His passion and love for this country inspired me more than any person had in my entire life. Even though I lived in Oklahoma and everyone was a pro-Bush Republican, I held my ground and have continued to support both John Edwards and John Kerry in all of their political endeavors. I attended my first Brayfest in seventh grade, it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was the first time I had ever been around a group of people that believed the same things as me and were absolutely committed to the prosperity of this country. It wasn't anyone trying to sell themselves to me, it was the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Facts. I also met Brad Henry for the first time that year. He was such a step up from what we had been dealing with years prior (Keating). I remember watching the Democratic National convention. It was so amazing and there was one speech that had stuck out--Barack Obama's. I knew I would hear more about him in the future. I always wondered what it felt like to have a politician care about your well-being and the 2004 election really showed me that in those elections. But when the results came in on that cold November night, things weren't as happy as I had hoped they would be. I did not understand why this could have happened a second time, I couldn't accept the fact that we would be stuck with Bush for another four years. Also that year in my Language Arts class, we watched a movie sbout JFK and the Bay of Pigs situation. I will never forget that week the class spent watching it because it was the point when I fell in love with John F. Kennedy. In 8th grade, I had a class in my schedule called Extended Studies. In that class, I was able to further deepen my appreciation and love for JFK. We studied his assassination and for my own gain, I went the extra mile and read everything I could get my hands about his life. He became my greatest political hero at that point. I remember in Language Arts we had to write a paper titled, "I Wonder Why." I wrote about being a Democrat and why I disliked Bush. Granted, it was not the best paper I had ever written as far as grammar and eloquency went, but it was great in subject matter. Later that year, when President Bush came to speak at the OSU Graduation in May, I went to my first Anti-Bush/Anti-war protest. I finally felt like I was getting the word out and accomplishing something. Then, in ninth grade came the 2006 elections. At the time, I had begun reading Barack Obama's book Dreams From My Father. I had written a book report about it and my English teacher made a side comment about how much she liked Barack too. It was the beginning of a great year in English I. On a night in mid-October, I was watching TV with my father--specifically, MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann--a special comment was made by Olbermann about the loss of Habeas Corpus. I remember being deeply shaken my Olbermann's words. I hadn't realized until then that we were losing that right and privelege. That night, I cried for America and I cried for the pure and simple fact I could not take any more of Bush's politics. I couldn't possibly tell you the impact Keith Olbermann made on my life that night. As the elections grew closer, I did what I could to help out the Democratic candidates. In my government class, we created a mock senate and I think this only reinforced my love of politics. The debates we held were lively and exciting. I knew it was something I wanted to keep in my life. I joined Youth and Government that year. Although I didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else, I knew I would come back to it again in high school. In that same year, my family started making the trip up to Kansas City for a New Year's party held by my godparent's parents who were and are still very active in the Kansas Democratic Party. There, I met many Kansas politicians, journalists, and important people. I met Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. She gave me the greatest advice I have ever received: "Don't give up on your dreams, no matter what they are. Because chances are--someone believes in your dreams too." For Christmas I received Barack Obama's new book The Audactiy of Hope. As soon as I finished it, I knew I wanted him to run for president. I couldn't agree with him more on all policies and issues. We were political soulmates. On February 10, 2007, Barack announced his candidacy for presidency. I got an Obama '08 sticker as soon as I possibly could and slapped one of my binder. During that spring break, I attended an Obama rally in OKC at which he spoke at. It was yet another great experience of my lifetime. He spoke with such great eloquence and passion. He reminded me of John Kerry. In early May that year, my English teacher handed me an article from The New Yorker on my way out of class. The article was from the profiles section, titled "The Conciliator." It was about Barack Obama's rise in politics and where he got his start. I was grateful for a teacher who was not afraid to let a student know their political affiliation. When I entered into high school, it had been a difficult summer and I was ready to meet new people who had things in common with me. I was rip-roaring ready to join the ranks of the Young Democrats. But, thoughout the year I did not attend any YD meetings. I went to one Payne County Students for Obama meeting just in time for Super Tuesday. I did discuss politics whenever possible and I guess in my mind that was good enough. But as summer approached and I watched more and more politics on the cable news stations, I knew I was going have to do a little bit more than talk. So, I made sure I knew how to defend my candidates and knew their positions on the issues. More and more that summer I watched Keith Olbermann with his moving and brutally honest Special Comments. As fall came I knew I wanted to get involved with Young Democrats and do everything possible to help out in the election this year. This November, even though I can't vote, I'll support Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Andrew Rice, Bob Murphy, Cory Williams, Mike Pierson, Frankie Robbins, and Jim Roth. I'll support any democrat that needs or wants the support.