Are You a Democrat?

Are+You+a+Democrat%3F

Victoria Rein, Writer

With the current landscape of politics, it is important, now more than ever, to get involved and stand up for what you believe. If you align with Democratic ideals, or are even just have a liberal mindset, Young Democrats may be the perfect place for you.

Young Democrats is a club that meets every Thursday in room 342 and celebrates politics through a Democratic lens. Although topics focus on the Democratic viewpoint, members of all political parties are welcome, even just to hear a different perspective.

The club’s officers, co-Presidents Caroline Kottmeier and Tori Healey, Secretary Emily MacDonald, and Treasurer Rory O’Brien, try to create a casual environment, a member says. Healey describes a typical meeting as mainly consisting of discussing current events, and planning out future club events, such as a voter drive or working with a campaign or having a guest speaker.

Members campaign for Democratic candidates, discuss current events, and participate in debates. These  debates are against Young Republicans, the Republican counterpart of Young Democrats. Though the opinions of both clubs clash, debates are always respectful, and speakers never show animosity of any kind.

Two seniors who are familiar with the club say that they know a lot about politics and try to be educated with what is going on in their country and around the world, and that the club has helped them do that.

At the end of the day, the club’s main purpose is just to promote political awareness and activism among teenagers, have open discussions about difficult topics, and promote the agenda of the Democratic party.