Revolutions, regardless of their aims or results, always stem from a change in discourse.
When society becomes completely polarized, when cronyism becomes the method of politics, when Congress continues to ignore the pleas of its own constituents, a drastic shift in conversation becomes necessary.
As students, we will soon enter the workforce, run for office, start families and contribute to the global economy. But if our political leaders continue to focus more on re-election than on the American people, we may find ourselves stuck with a stagnant economy devoid of principles.
Many recognize that our country is driving head-first toward a brick wall; instead of turning off the road, we are arguing over who’s holding the wheel. Candidates continue to spew the old adages: “Bold ideas! Sweeping reform! A new direction for the country!” How? Why? For whom? These are the questions that need to be addressed.
Paul Dietzel, Louisiana candidate for U.S. Congress, is trying to separate himself from the competition through his bold ideas and youth. However, his stance on nearly every issue falls in line with mainstream Conservatism, as well as many current congressmen.
Advocating smaller government, a common sense approach and a simpler tax structure is not unique and does nothing without specific reform ideas and the ability to morally defend one’s position.
Rather than promising to repeal Obamacare, explain a proposed replacement and the reasons for opposition of other choices.
Stop trying to cater to the entire population, and proudly stand for the most-valued principles.
How can we accept systematic change from candidates who share ideals with a Congress whose approval rating is just 12.8 percent?
If Dietzel wants to avoid turning into a John Boehner or John McCain, he must separate himself through more than just his age; his consistency on the issues is paramount.
Although Democrats and Republicans battle for the moral high ground, records show both parties are merely opposite sides of the same statist coin.
In 2001, 98 out of 100 senators voted in favor of the Patriot Act; the NDAA, legislation denounced by many senators, is renewed each year with support from both sides of the isle, despite its unconstitutionality.
It’s no surprise that Americans have lost trust in their government. Broken promises and a lack of reform are more than enough to rationalize resentment.
Politics once emerged through discussions about morality and the proper role of government. Now, the primary focus of our leaders is not what benefits the market, but what benefits their campaign. Meanwhile, society and the economy are crumbling as fewer graduates are able to find jobs, and fewer students are able to afford an education.
In the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, the Heritage Foundation ranked the U.S. 12th, indicating this country is “mostly free.” But the country’s score has declined over the past decade because of “large losses in property rights, freedom from corruption, and control of government spending.”
No party is willing to restore liberty to the individual or to businesses, and this stifles growth and innovation.
Young students and workers, those who are either unskilled or have little experience, suffer most from stagnation. As the global market continues to decline, as our currency continues to lose value, as student loans become more difficult to pay off, there is no greater time than now to alter the political conversation.
In November, the people once again have an opportunity to replace failed leadership; the long, arduous journey back to freedom begins not with your vote, but with your words.
Future candidates, regardless of your party, I call on you to end the boring rhetoric. Don’t be afraid to make some noise.
Our nation will return to its once powerful state if — and only if — this change in discourse occurs.
Andrew Stolzle is a 20-year-old mechanical engineering junior from Baton Rouge.