Over the past two weeks Miss Daisy has been getting me all sorts of nervous and extremely frustrated. Last Monday I was doing my first story of the day – a business profile about a shoe repair shop in Manchester, CT – when she pulled a fast one on me. I was inside talking to the owner, who for some reason thought I was selling him something and wanted no part of it, for only about 10 minutes. I come out to find that Miss Daisy decided to lock herself with my keys inside of her!

Needless to say, I had to put the rest of my interviews that day on hold until I could secure my keys out of my temperamental vehicle. I called a locksmith and while he was on his way I was able to get a AAA member – my girlfriend’s mother – to come to the site and get Miss Daisy opened for free. After telling the locksmith to not bother coming down – he was not too happy about this – I figured I was safe.

Five minutes later some guy hops out of a truck and goes towards Miss Daisy with a jimmy and a mission! I let this guy have it.

“Get away from my car!” “I told you I didn’t need you anymore” “(insert explicit exclamation here)!”

The guy backs away from Miss Daisy confused and shook up. There was no way I was having to pay this guy to open my car if AAA was coming for free.

My girlfriend’s mother shows up and we’re waiting for the agent to arrive. I tell her the story about the “locksmith” arriving and how I shooed him away.

“AAA guys come in AAA cars, right?” I ask her.

No. They don’t. I pretty much screamed at the guy sent from AAA to open Miss Daisy and added insult to my injurious afternoon. They had to send another agent out to open my car up, which took another 30 minutes.

Miss Daisy, why do you do the things you do?

This job, so short into it, has given me an opportunity to meet regular people doing what they do to put food on the table for their families and pay the rent. I get a 15 minute window into their lives from behind the mask of journalist and it makes me appreciate all the hard work of regular people that usually goes unnoticed.

Do you ever stop and think about what the guy that comes to hook your cable will be doing after work? Or the woman that does your pedicure? How about the guy that cleaned the bathroom moments after you’ve washed your hands and almost got the paper towel into the trash?

There are unsung heroes everywhere in our lives and they go unnoticed because we’re all too busy to say “Hey, thanks.” I don’t think it’s because we’re rude; no definitely not. We’re busy making our own ends meet – hustling to the next meeting, calling and making appointments, busting our ass hours on end each day to make sure the bills get paid on time.

I guess I am just fortunate to get to make my ends meet by learning how others do it.

To all of you out there doing it – I thank you.

Gen. Colin Powell

A “transformational figure.”

That is what former Secretary of State Colin Powell called Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) after announcing his support for the Democrat’s presidential bid Sunday on “Meet the Press“.

“I think we need a president who is a generational change,” Powell continued.

In an earlier blog, I expressed how Obama’s connection with all Americans, especially the youth, make him a better candidate to lead this country. Obama is the symbol of a future generation that is color-blind, gender-blind, and orientation-blind, but also sees clearly and vividly when addressing issues that face this country.

William Ayers

In Powell’s interview, he expressed reasons for not backing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), a fellow Republican and veteran. Powell cited the negative tone and central points of the campaign as things that turned him away from supporting McCain. Powell questioned McCain’s judgement when the Bill Ayers connection became a significant part of the campaign.

“Mr. McCain says that [William Ayers] is a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him?” Powell asked.

Powell also disagreed with McCain’s choice for vice-president: Sarah Palin.

“Now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don’t believe she’s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president,” Powell said.

Gov. Sarah Palin

Palin was quick to react to Powell’s statements. In an interview Sunday with New York’s WWOR-TV, Palin said that she “begs to differ.”

“Not only will my executive experience be put to very good use … but also, you know the vision that I share with John McCain,” Palin said.

After hearing the news, McCain said the endorsement came as ”no surprise”. He said that he and Powell were lifelong friends and he had great respect for him. McCain also cited his campaign’s endorsement from former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger, James A. Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig, all veterans of Republican administrations.

Powell said that the crisis hitting the American economy was a “final exam” for the candidates; an exam that Obama studied endlessly for and McCain, subsequently, failed.

“I found that [McCain] was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having,” Powell said. “Almost every day there was a different approach to the problem and that concerned me, sensing that he doesn’t have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.”

In contrast, Powell said Obama “displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems. I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well.”

Obama called Powell to thank him for the endorsement Sunday, spokesman Robert Gibbs said. Obama addressed a crowd at a rally in Fayettevile, N.C. after receiving the endorsement.

“I am beyond honored and deeply humbled to have the support of Gen. Colin Powell,” Obama said. “Gen. Powell has defended this nation bravely, and he has embodied our highest ideals through his long and distinguished public service. And he knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we all need to come together as one nation — young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Republican and Democrat.”

FDR giving a fireside chat

The last line is what I think is the most important concept of this election and Obama’s campaign: the ability for the president to bring the American people together, like Franklin D. Roosevelt did during the Great Depression. FDR held “fireside chats” that eased the minds of many citizens during those hard times. Obama’s ability to inspire, motivate, and activate the people of this great nation will be what is most crucial for turning America in a positive direction. Since he gave the Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama has been advocating for American unity in crisis and in prosperity. Obama quoted part of that famous speech when he addressed the rally in North Carolina on Sunday.

Powell also said he was troubled that some Republicans — he excluded McCain — continue to say or allow others to say that Obama is a Muslim, when he is a Christian.

“He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America,” Powell said. “Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?”

No, Mr. Powell, there isn’t. The fact that people link “Muslim” with “terrorist” is shameful to me as an American.  I would have felt the same way during World War II when we sent Japanese Americans to prison camps out of fear. Fear is the offspring of ignorance. This is not what America needs right now. America needs a president who will inspire people of all races and backgrounds to be the best person they can be. There’s too much negativity tied to politics, too much corruption tied to Washington D.C., too much pain in the hearts of everyday Americans. We need a president who can understand what needs to be done, what needs to be fixed, and how to lead this country.

Do you really think that Barack Obama thought he could be president when he was 7 years old and living in Indonesia? I bet not. But that is exactly what makes America so great; the pursuit of the American dream and the realization that anything is possible. We need a president so deeply rooted in the American dream to inspire others to do the same.

And maybe, just maybe, that 7-year old Muslim-American will become the President of the United States of America one day.

Obama walks to his family after giving a speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Alex J. Martin

We were asked to sign in as youth supporters, then were given name tags and a handout outlining Obama and Biden’s plan to make college more affordable. This was probably one of the most important issues in the minds of the attendees, being a youth-style rally. After I read through it briefly, my friends and I sat on a park bench near the stage and smoked cigars while waiting for the event to start.

Young Obama with his father, Barack

Across the green from where we were sitting I noticed three young boys, all of which looked to be under the age of ten, I determined. They were racing each other back and forth on the green. The oldest looking boy won every time. They were out of breathe from running and laughing but continued their sprints across the freshly cut and cleaned green with no rest. I noticed that none of the adults standing around on the green seemed to be watching them closely. I thought to myself, “Where are their parents? That’s the problem with America today; no one takes responsibility for anything.” I thought about my own father and how he was absent from my childhood. I thought about Obama’s upbringing without a father and why that fact alone tied me so closely to the man. Then I thought about where these kids will end up with a lack of guidance and direction.

A table was set up adjacent to the stage where a woman from the Waterbury for Obama committee stayed the majority of the night to register new voters. At the completion of the rally, she told me that over 25 new voters were registered that evening.

The crowd of roughly 200 people was more diverse than I had expected. There were people of all ages, backgrounds, and social classes. Elderly women were bundled up tight that evening, huddling closer to the stage to hear the potential speakers. There were college students standing with their arms crossed nonchalantly with their friends. A young couple had come pushing a stroller with a new born and holding the hand of their toddler. Business men came in their suits, freshly out of work and no doubt in a rush to return home to the family they’re trying to support in these tough times. All shapes and sizes of my community had made it out that night.

The first scheduled speaker took the stage. Shawn Mosley, an English teacher at Wilby High School in Waterbury, took the microphone and kicked things off. Mosley’s speech had a different message than most had anticipated.

“The most important day in this nation’s history is not [election day] November 4th. No, the most important day in our nation’s history is November 5th,” Mosley exclaimed while walking the stage, stopping at each period in his speech to stress his point. “On November 5th, we as a community need to change. Barack Obama cannot do everything for us; change needs to start within ourselves. We need to think, act, perform, and love better. We need stronger leaders in our homes and our communities. Change starts in here,” Mosley said putting a fist on his chest.

Mosley got the crowd energized and excited. The college students had uncrossed their arms and moved closer to the stage, the elderly women looked delighted and had joyful tears in their eyes, the couple with their 2 young children were holding each other tightly, the business men looked to be in less of a hurry to leave.

Rep. Larry Butler

The next speaker was Rep. Larry Butler of the 72nd district of Connecticut who is a Waterbury resident born and raised. To open his speech, Butler reiterated points that Mosley had emphasized about change starting within ourselves and our communities. Butler then got into the core of his speech.

“If a young girl or boy has the will to go to college, there should be funds to help them get there,” Butler said while he paced the stage set up at the front of the green.

As the sun was setting over local businesses in the background of the stage, Butler voiced his opinion of youth sacrifice.

“I would rather the youth of this country and community sacrifice their minds in college than sacrifice their lives at war.”

After Butler said that, I looked around for those three young boys. They were no where to be found. It was almost pitch black out now; those boys have already left, I thought. I turned to the stage. Confusion came over me. The three boys who were now on the stage standing next to the DJ. He took the microphone and addressed the crowd.

“These here are my boys. I know its late, but they can learn a thing or two from the positive message of this rally. I would take them with me everywhere if I could. It’s hard raising kids, ya kno? What’s that old saying; it takes a village to raise one child? That’s definitely true. Obama’s message to fathers to step up and give their children a good role model to look  up to is something I’ve taken very seriously. I want all the fathers out there to do the same thing.”

Obama with his daughters

I saw something great about America right there that most people have forgotten: one man doing everything he could to give his children a decent future. I thought about how different my life would have turned out had I had an active father in my life growing up. I had plenty of good role models, don’t get me wrong, but the absence of a father is impossible to mend completely. I thought about what lessons I had to learn the hard way, what skills I had to acquire myself, how alone I had felt growing up in the inner city. Then I looked at those three boys who I had assumed would amount to nothing, who I had assumed were being neglecting, who I had assumed were a stereotype. I scolded myself for being ignorant, for presuming the worst situation possible for those boys. They had a father with his head on right, a father with his priorities in order, and a father with a spiritual and physical strength to carry his young boys into adulthood.

I didn’t expect to see that. Then again, I hadn’t anticipated seeing any of the things I saw at the rally. I saw elderly women in the audience with tears of joy in their eyes. I saw the youth of the inner-city come together like I never saw in the 20 years I’ve lived there. I saw people holding hands for a closing prayer; blacks, whites, hispanics all intertwined. I saw a man making the ultimate sacrifice in order to a be good father. I saw the future in three children’s eyes. I saw a community ready for change. I saw hope.

Alex J Martin

Aaron Schrag

Over the summer one of my good friends became very active in the Waterbury for Obama Committee. Although I could not be as involved as I would have liked to have been this summer, I respected the time and effort he was putting in to this cause. Aaron Schrag, a junior at the University of Connecticut, is helping organize a youth rally for Barack Obama in Waterbury, CT. this fall.

“At the first committee meeting we decided something like this should occur and it really took off from there” Aaron said. “The other members of the group have taken a lot of pressure of me [this semester] since I cannot be in Waterbury every day.”

The event is scheduled to take place October 9th in downtown Waterbury on the Green. There will be speeches, live music, and the Waterbury Drill Team is scheduled to do a performance.

The Green in downtown Waterbury, CT

Aaron has been very active in generating youth interest for this election and more specifically youth support for Barack Obama’s campaign. For him, Obama is more than just another politician.

“Obama has really motivated me as a person,” he said. “Most people know that he is a very eloquent speaker but, when I hear him speak, it’s like music to my ears.”

“I know it sounds cliche, but we are the youth of this country. If we don’t take action and help shape our futures then we are not acting as intelligent as we should.”

I have already shown what kind of attention a youth rally can generate in my blog The Youth of the Nation. Aaron expects similar results and hopes to draw some apathetics and undecideds into the political scene.

“I hope that this rally will cause youth in the Waterbury area and youth around the country to get out and vote. I’m tired of hearing that the youth demographic is last or second to last in voting percentages. We need to be active and we need to be heard.”

I could not say it better myself.

Alex J. Martin

You glance over at the television which is tuned into a local news station. Within ten minutes of viewing, you’ve heard TV personalities argue about abortion, the energy crisis, gay marriage, the war in Iraq, and why exactly the Alaska governor Sarah Palin is a great choice as vice-president or why she is the worst political decision in history. It’s all white noise to you by now. You’ve heard all of these things debated day in and day out with no one providing a reasonably honest answer. You have also come to expect politicians and the media to lie right to your face. You’re used to it.

In through the doorway walks Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill), Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), and Gov. Sarah Palin. You are given the chance to ask them one question; any question, on any topic, and they have to give you a straight-forward, honest answer. At last, some transparency in politics!

This is the situation I wanted young Americans to imagine they were in, and then they were to decide what they would ask the potential leaders of the free world. What hard-nosed, character-revealing, no-nonsense questions can the youth of this country come up with when they know they won’t be told a tale? Would they question McCain’s policies, Obama’s political history, a controversy involving Sarah Palin, or Biden’s views on pretty much anything at all?

The following is a collection of questions submitted by several 20-somethings, outraged by untrustworthy politicians and in need of answers. And they want them now.

“We are too dependent on oil. There are two ways to address this problem. The first is to continue down the same path we have been, which would consist of off-shore drilling in the ANWR and continued reliance on foreign oil. The second way would be to change paths and change directions entirely, consisting of becoming more efficient in alternative fuels (solar and wind energy) and research into nuclear power. What is better for us as a nation: continuing down the same broken road while trying to fix it, or changing directions and trailblazing a new, more efficient road for the future? -Vince Varsh, 21years old from Orange, CT.

Gov. Sarah Palin, you have stated that you are a Republican because individual freedom and independence is important to you. Doesn’t the notion of not supporting a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion and limiting her rights and liberties to her body contradict your stance on “individual freedom”? – Jacque Herrick, 21 years old from Langhorn, PA.

Mr. McCain, what is the real reason you picked Sarah Palin as your running mate? – Brian Luong, 20 years old and a junior at Carnegie Mellon.

Stereotypes are very common in our society and you as public officials are certainly not immune to them. What are your reactions to the negative stereotypes portrayed on your character in this election? For example, McCain being “an old man,” Obama being “a black man,” and Palin being “a woman?” How do you plan to rise above these stereotypes? – Mayya Medved, 20 years old from Trumbull, CT.

Mr. Obama, you have made a considerable amount of progress in respects to motivating and inspiring the youth of this country. How can you help us realize our potential and help us realize that we are the future of this country? How can we inspire the people around us to be the best people they can be and focus on the positives instead of the negatives in one another? – Jennifer Layton, 21 years old from St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

How much of a difference do you really expect to make in a Democratic system so deeply rooted in capitalism that you would have to hurt members of Congress and deciding powers in order to make a difference, which, by default, would prevent any approvals for something revolutionary to our system? – Nick DeFilippo, 20 years old from Southbury, CT.

Why are there so many minority focused scholarships, loans, and grants for a college education but none specifically targeted at working-class white Americans? How can you help to improve the costs of a college education for all young people of this country? – Ashley Bisaillon, 21 years old from Waterbury, CT.

What stances and policies of the opposing party do you actually agree with? In what ways can we move past “left” and “right” politics, focus on crossing party lines and actually accomplish something in the next four years? – Kaitlin Kennedy, 21 years old from Radcliff, KY.

How does the government plan to fund all these corporate bailouts, like AIG and Lehman Brothers? – Jon DelCegno, 22 years old from Farmington, CT.

Since there are so many public family issues that go unaddressed, such as marriage and civil unions, family leave for pregnant women, poverty levels, and so on, how would you define “family”? – Rachel Julian, 21 years old from Berlin, CT.

Mr. McCain, why do you think the fact that you were a POW is in anyway relevant to our future or makes you a better candidate for office? – Felicia Greco, 20 years old from Wolcott, CT.

Sarah Palin, for someone who is running on a platform of extreme patriotism, how could you possibly have supported an Alaskan succession from the union? – Marissa Rann, 20 years old from Edison, NJ.

The prohibition of alcohol at the beginning of the 20th century can now be deemed as an ineffective piece of legislation. It can also be agreed that during prohibition alcohol increased the crime rate and was a pivotal factor in organized crime as an illegal market was created for an unregulated product in high demand; alcohol. The contemporary scenario that can be compared to the prohibition of alcohol is the illegality of marijuana. It has been proven that marijuana is a safer substance than both alcohol and nicotine, yet those are legal. It has also been proven that marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes and is legal in California for that reason. Countless tax dollars are being thrown away by holding individuals charged with marijuana related offenses behind bars. What are your thoughts on the legalization of marijuana? If you think it should be legalized, how would you go about regulating it? – Tom Kuczynko, 21 years old from Unionville, CT.

“Do any of you candidates have what it takes to answer our questions?” – Alex Martin, 20 years old from Waterbury, CT.

Alex J. Martin

After posting this piece, I, through instruction of my professor Rick Hancock, found a site that allows you to say anything to George W. Bush, John McCain, or Barack Obama. If you’re interested, check it out

Mr. McCain, I know it may come as a surprise to you, but there are actually voters under the age of 60 that support you. Not all of them, obviously, but there is a solid chunk of young Americans who think that you should be our next president. However, there are some of us that don’t agree with what you stand for or believe in the direction you want this country to go in.

Mr. Obama, you have a sizable lead over the Arizona Senator in youth support. There are some of us that agree with your policies, are ecstatic about your approach to politics, and are moved by your rhetoric. However, there are others that are skeptical about your experience, your trustworthiness, and your controversial background.

Ms.  Palin, we have to be honest with you. We didn’t know who you were up until a few weeks ago. Some of us like your fresh image, and your political message. Others are unsure about your credentials, afraid of your views on certain topics, and generally unsure if you can successfully lead this nation. We’re ready for you to prove us wrong if you so choose.

Mr. Biden, you’re quiet style is refreshing, but as a potential vice-president, we demand to know more about you. We want to know what you stand for as a politician. We want to know what your plans for this nation are. We want to know why we should vote for you. Most importantly, we want to know who Joe Biden is.

The point of all this is that my generation has a voice; but it’s not just coming from one mouth. Collectively we have plans, dreams, and expectations for our next president. What follows is a few voices from all over the country so all the candidates should listen closely. We need you to be our advocate in Washington for the next 4 years.

The best way to capture the “voice” of the youth is to let them voice their “voices” themselves. I generated “voices” by creating a forum on Facebook where anyone could post their ideas, concerns, views, and so on about the election, the candidates, the policies, the issues, etc. The following are some of the youth that spoke up.

“I think for me the most important reason why I like Obama so much is that he has this view that any new idea is a good idea, as long as it is for the betterment of all people. He doesn’t see race or age but instead he sees Americans who need to come together to better each other to accomplish things like healthcare and education reform and fixing things with the Middle East. I’m not saying every idea thrown at him he is going to take up and run with, but his mind is much more open then McCain’s.” Aaron Schrag - 5th semester Business and Political Science major at the University of Connecticut

“I think either man can honestly make a great president. But I do have to say for me there is just something sketchy about Obama. I’m not sure I can trust him. I think that I do trust more of McCain because I am a military brat and my dad was never around growing up because he was fighting for our rights. I like how Obamais all about CHANGE, but then again, McCain said that change is good for him too. McCain and Bush, bothfrom the same party, yet they both are going different ways in the government. I really don’t see why everyone is Anti- Bush, because honestly all [these problems] started when [Bill] Clinton was in office, but no one grasps that. I’m leaning towards McCain this time around mostly because I do trust most of what he is saying. Obama is a great speaker and would make a great president, I just find something very odd about him and I cannot pinpoint it.” Amanda Fandrey -  Liberal Studies major at Antelope Valley College

“I have a hard time understanding why it’s so hard to trust a man who worked hard on the Chicago streets for years, day in and day out, working to turn the city around. Obama helped low income families, worked to change and improve child labor laws, women’s rights, and so on. His first piece of legislation in the Senate was increasing the Federal Pell Grant that most low-income college students recieve every semester. You see, the deal with this election is how much longer can we really tolerate a republican conservative in office who’s working for the top 5% of the population. Not much longer, I’m afraid. Health care is a major problem for working families, the economy is in the dumps (but McCain doesn’t think so), and our country is blowing so much money on the war its ridiculous. I’m not all for government spending, but if we are going to spend trillions of dollars to the point that were trillions of dollars in debt, let’s use it to help American families who really need it.” Alex Martin - 5th semester Journalism and Political Science major at the University of Connecticut

“I definitely think that for America to thrive we need Obama in office. McCain says a lot of things that sound pretty but he never says how he will make these things comeabout. He mimicked Obama’s slogan “Change” but he has voted for the same stances as Bush 95% of the time. Obama is accepting of views different then the U.S.’s or his own but won’t compromise our country because of them, which is very important in our culturally diverse country and world. He chose his running mate based on who would benefit him and our country best. McCain met Sarah Palin the night before he announced her as his running mate and chose her because of her being a woman would bring him voters that were questioning Obama; white middle class women. This is one of the most important decisions a presidential candidate can make. Even just thinking of these choices and why they were chosen shows Obama sees the future of America as more important then his personal success.” Destiny Printz – 3rd semester Materials Science and Engineering major at the University of Connecticut

“At first I was a little apathetic about the whole thing because I don’t trust politicians to begin with, and I can see how both candidates are choosing carefully what aspects of themselves they are highlighting and what type of language they are using when describing themselves or their opponent; but that’s politics. However, the bottom line is that it comes down to choosing the BEST of the two; and as far as I’m concerned McCain hasn’t done enough to differentiate himself from Bush, and no one wants another Bush. I realize he’s in a tough spot because he has to make himself sound like he is gonna clean up the mess that Bush has left while at the same time backing him up to keep the Republican party united. I don’t think that he is enough of a difference. Besides that, Democratic ideas simply fit my own much more closely than those of Republicans. McCain is so traditional he scares me. Anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage AND civil union, he wants to keep Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and remain in the war? I think these things and others indicate that he is out of touch with both thechanging times and with the needs of the lower and middle classes. If you notice, I’m focusing on the negative things about McCain; I’m not a huge fan of Obama; probably because I know he’s a brilliant speaker and can convince people of pretty much anything so I don’t particularly trust him; but next to McCain there is no other choice for me. And it’s about time we have a president who’s not a white male. Hopefully soon we’ll have a woman!” Angelica Huertas - 5th semester English Language/Literature and Philosophy at Smith College

“Obama is a strong candidate and he identifies with people on many levels. However, at the same time I think people are forgetting one thing: One of the most substantial issues facing us right now is the war, and our overseas presence. While like you said, Obama hasn’t been afraid to get his hands dirty here at home, he has nowhere near the foreign experience McCain does. If anyone knows about war or how we should handle the war, its definitely him. I started off a strong McCain supporter, but as days go by I find myself more and more unsure, especially now that he has chosen Palin for his VP; I really cannot picture this country in her hands. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that this election isn’t about picking the best candidate for the job, its turned into picking the lesser of two evils.” Jason Simonsen – 5th semester English major at the University of Connecticut

One election. One president. Two candidates.

One generation. One voice. Millions of contributors.

Alex J. Martin

“Liberty is the soul’s right to breathe and, when it cannot take a long breath, laws are girdled too tight.” 

This powerful quote has been exclaimed in court rooms all over this country and has even been featured in the Academy Award  winning film Good Will Hunting. Liberty is what motivated our forefathers to declare independence from Great Britain over 200 years ago. We have had countless pieces of legislation passed to protect the liberties we enjoy every day.

Liberty as we know it is in trouble. But what if the problem wasn’t that the laws are girdled too tight? What if the problem was that people elect to suffocate their own souls? What if American citizens opted to ignore their liberty by keeping their voices silent every day? 

By definition, apathy is the absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. A report by CBSNews.com  found that younger people “do not understand the ideals of citizenship, they are disengaged from the political process, they lack the knowledge necessary for effective self-government, and their appreciation and support of American democracy is limited.”

Harsh, right? I wish I could refute this claim, but the truth is that there are a lot of people my age that don’t know about or just don’t care about politics or the system through which our country is run. On the social networking site Facebook there are nearly 500 users that list their political views as apathetic, and more than 200 users on top of that that list apathy as an interest on their page.

I am a journalist however, and as a member of this alleged lethargic generation, I had to dig deeper into this accusation. There’s no way I was going to believe that the majority of the youth doesn’t want a say in where this country is going.

I managed to got a hold of a friend and self-proclaimed apathetic Erick Alfisi.  I told him the forum for my piece and proceeded to pick his brain about his political views. I started prying slowly, asking simply why he had lost interest in politics in general.

“I follow politics and all because I want to know whats going on, but I don’t really support any politicians because I feel they all have their own agenda ahead of the interests of the people”

Its not like I could argue with him. I know several people young and old that feel out of touch with their representatives; the ones that are elected to voice the needs of the public. 

I wanted to know if there was anything he could think of that would make him excited about politics again. Maybe a policy he’d like to see in action, a politician he’d like to see in charge, anything to spark some interest.

“That is an interesting question. Its tough for me because I do have my bias and preconceived notions about politicians and the political system, but I’d say if there was someone who really had something to say, who didn’t make empty promises and actually got his hands dirty for reasons other than a photo op.”

What preconceived notions could one possibly have against politicians?

“It seems like they’re all spouting the same nonsense as the guy before them. Its always “vote for me and this will happen and that will happen” but then, nothing happens.”

I asked him what he thought of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill). I asked him if he thought that Obama was like every other politician and was just spitting political machine oil at America or if he thought the Illinois Senator was different.

 ”I’m on the fence about [Obama]. I like what he has to say, but I think time will tell if he really makes a difference or if he’s just banking on the fact that a lot of people in this country want things to change and he’s catering to their thoughts.”

What if he does make a difference and he does follow through with what he says?

“He has good ideas and if he actually implements the things he’s talking about, there may be hope for me yet!”

So I asked him one final question.

Would you now say you are more of an apathetic or a skeptic?

” [Skeptic] probably sums it up better. I hope that doesn’t ruin your article.”

No, Erick, it didn’t. I didn’t want to ever think that there were people my age that were truly apathetic. It is human nature to be skeptical. You shouldn’t take what anyone says for face value without doing your homework first anyway. I was in my glory; I had proved the CBSNews report wrong, at least for a moment.

Then I did my next interview. The interviewee asked to remain anonymous, and due to the nature of my story I saw nothing wrong with it. I started it off the same way; what made you lose interest in politics?

“All the failed policies of the Bush administration and the same empty promises of change from both politicians running in this year’s election.”

Ok, he didn’t bite. I’ll work with him. So I say, well, one of these politicians will have to win this election. Who do you think is better suited to run this country?

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s just going to be more of the same thing. Neither candidate is capable of making a difference for this country and turn it around.”

Could this person truly have such little faith in the American people that not one candidate could bring about even a little change after four years in office? There’s no way. So I ask him one final question to see if I can get him to open up a little.

What do you think we should do? As two young guys ready to vote for president for the first times in our lives, what should we do to overcome the issues we are facing as a country today?

“There’s nothing we can do. No matter who gets in they’re not going to listen to us. They’re more concerned with the private interests any way. And if they were going to listen to an actual voter, why would it be a 20-something?”

I closed my eyes and saw John Stewart Mill carrying On Liberty  proudly in his arms, not knowing that the most powerful and influential civilization in human history will base their doctrine on it.

I saw Thomas Jefferson and John Adams signing the Declaration of Independence, saying loudly and proudly that their beliefs and opinions were valid and that they would fight along side eachother to make sure no one was persecuted for theirs.

I saw Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address, liberating a people who was beneath liberty for so many years and could now let their souls take in fresh air.

I saw Martin Luther King Jr. saying “I Have a Dream”, filling his soul’s lungs deep to motivate and give courage to people who may have never taken their first breathe.

And then, right as I opened my eyes, I saw liberty; gasping and blue in the face, suffocating in the tight girdle of apathy.

Alex J. Martin