Politics create conflict, deter students

It is not news that most of our generation holds little interest in politics. After Ann Coulter presented her lecture Oct. 5 at UTC, Dr. Rebecca Jones, an English professor of rhetoric at UTC, introduced her theory about the relationship between politics and the younger generation, saying the bulk of students strongly dislike and avoid politics because of the two dominant, restricted sides of politics: Democrat and Republican.

"People our age don't like politics because, in politics, there is a lot of conflict," John Thetford, a Memphis freshman, said. "Most people don't like conflict, so they don't want to get involved. Also, most people our age don't feel the full effect from political changes in policies."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2004, 47 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 24 voted. However, in 2008, 49 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 24 voted. Although there was a 2 percent increase overall, many college students remain uninterested.

At our age, we're self-involved. Topics like politics aren't as intriguing or stimulating as other forms of entertainment such as celebrities, TV shows, movies and music, Matthew Kenwright, Tenn., freshman, said. But more so, political issues are harder to understand at a young age and many younger people seem feel the issues immediately affect them, unless a draft is involved.

The fact is, the decisions that are being made for our country, such as health care reform, the economic budget, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and economic stimulus packages are going to affect our lives far more than they will affect our parents' and grandparents' lives. Now is the time to become political participants rather than political bystanders.