With the 2016 presidential candidate debates well underway, it’s just about that time when our Facebook and Twitter feeds start to blow up with a lot of political chatter. Before you scroll down or unfollow the incessant posters, it’s time to take a few minutes to read about what’s going on in the world around us. Far more of these conversations affect our lives than we know. It’s important to know where all these politicians stand on the issues because whether we know it or not, the decisions they make once elected will affect every single one of us. Here are a few tips to help navigate the sometimes confusing and seemingly endless waters of our nation’s political sphere.
1. Forget all the opinionated information our parents and friends have told you about politics.
The beautiful thing about being human is the ability to think for ourselves – gotta love that good ol’ freewill! As boring as it may seem, all these laws and policies dictate our day-to-day life from the cost of attendance to public safety. Decisions are being made right here in Tallahassee as well as in Washington D.C. that dictate the way things work in Florida and in America. Politicians are chosen based on their ability to serve the public’s best interest. Wouldn’t it make sense to understand for ourselves who these people are to ensure they are serving and meeting our goals?
2. Decide what’s important to you.
As college students, so much of what’s being debated right now has to do directly with us. Look at a few of the issues the candidates are debating and decide what’s important to you. Is it affordable tuition and loan repayment? Immigration? Women’s reproductive rights? Healthcare? Climate change? These are just a few items being discussed that might impact any one of us. What do you think about them?
Courtesy: historyhub
3. Explore a few candidates.
Once you know what you want or don’t want, explore a few candidates and their proposed course of action on the issues. You may come to discover you agree with one candidate on one, some or all of their plans. You may even discover some people and wonder, “What are they thinking?”
4. Watch the debates.
With your newfound knowledge, turn on one of the republican or democratic debates. While the Republican National Party has already hit the ground running with two presidential candidate debates, this week marks the first debate for Democratic candidates in the 2016 presidential election. The CNN Democratic Primary Debate begins tomorrow, October 13th at 9 p.m. EST. CNN will feature presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee. The next Republican debate will be held October 28th at 8 p.m. EST on CNBC. The debate’s candidates to be determined.
Courtesy: KSAT
5. Don’t be afraid to talk about it.
Now that you’re well informed, don’t be afraid to voice it, Collegiette! You’d be surprised by how many people you can impress with your rational, well-researched opinion on the Keystone Pipeline. Remember that every discussion doesn’t have to be a debate, but rather a conversation. It’s okay to come across people whose opinions differ from your own. You may even discover you want to find a place on campus to voice some of these opinions, in which case there’s a plethora of student groups to do so!
6. Register to vote!
You just gained all this amazing brainpower – it’s time to work it! There are multiple parts to the presidential election process, starting with the primary elections here in Florida on March 15, 2016. For more information on registering to vote visit the Florida Divisions of Elections website here.
You are now ready, Collegiette, to spread your political wings and fly. Never be afraid to learn more about the issues and always know where you stand. We have the amazing right of access to free press and freedom of speech. Your voice matters and your vote counts!