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Young Politicians Club

And the votes are in! With a 6 vote lead... Romney wins! At least that’s the way teens voted in West Hills High School’s very own Young Politician’s Club. I had the pleasure recently of interviewing the club’s creator and leader, Amanda Russell:

Q: Who is more opinionated in your club? “Democrats” or “Republicans”?

A: Actually there is a lot of participation from both sides. For each topic discussion, there are at least two members from each “party” that speak.

Q:So in your opinion, both sides get an equal say?

A: Oh yes, anyone that wants to say something in the club, as long as its relating to topic, they say it.

Q:Why do you think it’s important for teens to be exposed to politics?

A: For so many years we are taught about the past. I believe students get bored, can’t relate, and end up thinking that politics are boring and only for “old” people. The truth is, we literally are this country’s future. No matter how cheesy-sounding it is, it’s true. Without information in our heads about right and wrong and being exposed to this kind of material at a younger age, we could become uninterested and just learn to deal with what is thrown at us by the few that are knowledgeable.

Q: So what is your main goal within this club?A: Probably to make teens like me realize that even though you’re not 18 yet, you will be eventually, and that when you are, your opinion matters to this country. Too many people from our generation and from the recent generations ahead of us, are given false information and hopes and don’t truly care enough to find out the truth. I hope to be the truth and the light that will come back into politics.

Q:Okay, my last question is simple, why did you get involved in politics?

A: Well, originally I believed in the “change" movement, and ever since that time, I’ve been extremely interested. As I got more information, and realized that yes, change was happening, but that it was not good change, I immediately has a strong urge to become as involved as possible with politics, and get my country and my future back. I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of living in a country where you’re supposedly “free”. When I say free, I mean free speech,  free enterprise, freedom of expression, etc. Not free handouts, free jobs for non-US citizens, and free healthcare to those same people. If I have any say in it, our country will get back to our once glorious and admired days, and it will stay that way.

If interested in joining this club, they meet on Tuesdays at lunch in SS-11.